Elizabethan Stage

Elizabethan Theaters The Elizabethan Era was from , during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign. The Elizabethan Era was from , during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign. Plays were performed wherever they could find space, usually in courtyards Plays were performed wherever they could find space, usually in courtyards First permanent theater was built in 1576 outside of London by James Burbage, named “The Theater” First permanent theater was built in 1576 outside of London by James Burbage, named “The Theater”

Elizabethan Theaters 1599 rent was raised on the land on which the “The Theater” was built …because of increase Burbage’s son dismantled the theater and rowed it across the river Later the reconstructed theater was named THE GLOBE

Elizabethan Theaters Theaters were seen as frivolous and a waste of time by the authorities. Theaters were seen as frivolous and a waste of time by the authorities London theaters were closed during the plague years for officials felt the disease was too easily spread throughout the audience London theaters were closed during the plague years for officials felt the disease was too easily spread throughout the audience

The Globe described as “the Wooden O” described as “the Wooden O” open space - 65’ in diameter open space - 65’ in diameter surrounded by a circular building..30’ high with 3 tiers of seats surrounded by a circular building..30’ high with 3 tiers of seats stage 5’ high, 40’X30’ rectangle stage 5’ high, 40’X30’ rectangle small curtained inner stage located at the back of the large stage- “The Heavens” small curtained inner stage located at the back of the large stage- “The Heavens” front part of the stage equipped with a trap door front part of the stage equipped with a trap door

The Sets and Effects The stage was bare, however flags, banners, and musicians used The stage was bare, however flags, banners, and musicians used Actors were sometimes lowered from “heavens” by cranes Actors were sometimes lowered from “heavens” by cranes sound effects (a cannon) - a spark of a cannon was the cause of the fire that destroyed The Globe sound effects (a cannon) - a spark of a cannon was the cause of the fire that destroyed The Globe Actors carried torches to depict night time. Actors carried torches to depict night time. Most of the audience paid only 1 penny to visit the theater, which earned them the name “Groundlings”. Most of the audience paid only 1 penny to visit the theater, which earned them the name “Groundlings”.

The Elizabethan Actor Fencing: Audience loved duels! Fencing: Audience loved duels! Tumbling: Lots of movement! Tumbling: Lots of movement! Dancing: most plays ended with dancing! Dancing: most plays ended with dancing! Elocution: Words were very important! Elocution: Words were very important! Music: Played throughout the play! Music: Played throughout the play!

The Elizabethan Actor Actors often played more than one role. Actors often played more than one role. All roles were played by men All roles were played by men Young boys wore wigs and heavy makeup to play _______________ roles. Young boys wore wigs and heavy makeup to play _______________ roles. Actors were held in disrepute and considered “rogues, vagabonds, sturdy beggars, & common players” Actors were held in disrepute and considered “rogues, vagabonds, sturdy beggars, & common players”

William Shakespeare Introduction Shakespeare’s Life His Family The Playwright His Works His Inspiration His Genius Why He is Appealing

Personal Life Born 23 April 1564-Died 23 April 1616 Born 23 April 1564-Died 23 April 1616 Born in Stratford-Upon-Avon Born in Stratford-Upon-Avon 1582 married Anne Hathaway 1582 married Anne Hathaway 1583 first child born, Susanna 1583 first child born, Susanna 1585 twins born, Hamnet and Judith 1585 twins born, Hamnet and Judith

Professional Life 1592 become a famous playwright and actor 1592 become a famous playwright and actor Rival was Robert Greene Rival was Robert Greene Was an actor for 20 years from Was an actor for 20 years from Charter Member of Lord Chamberlain’s Men 1594 Charter Member of Lord Chamberlain’s Men 1603 Lord Chamberlain’s Men became the King’s Men 1603 Lord Chamberlain’s Men became the King’s Men

Shakespeare’s Works Wrote 154 sonnets. 37 plays. 2 book length narrative poems Wrote 154 sonnets. 37 plays. 2 book length narrative poems Plays consisted of Histories, Comedies, Tragedies and Romances, also called Tragicomedies. Plays consisted of Histories, Comedies, Tragedies and Romances, also called Tragicomedies. Masterpieces: Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear Masterpieces: Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear Great Tragedies: Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, and Romeo and Juliet Great Tragedies: Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, and Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare’s Works All plays were written for kings; Shakespeare was paid $40 per play All plays were written for kings; Shakespeare was paid $40 per play His plays were popular and pleased the audiences His plays were popular and pleased the audiences His plays were published 7 years after his death His plays were published 7 years after his death 1623 the First Folio was published 1623 the First Folio was published this is a collection of the supposed “true original copies” of Shakespeare’s plays this is a collection of the supposed “true original copies” of Shakespeare’s plays

What Inspired Will? Many of his characters were REAL people-many based on historical figures Many of his characters were REAL people-many based on historical figures Shakespeare got ideas from other plays and poems rather than his own personal experiences or current events from local material Shakespeare got ideas from other plays and poems rather than his own personal experiences or current events from local material No copy rights No copy rights Sharing of material Sharing of material Romeo & Juliet was based on the long narrative poem “The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet” written by Arthur Brookein 1562 Romeo & Juliet was based on the long narrative poem “The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet” written by Arthur Brookein 1562

What was his Genius? Had an understanding of the people Had an understanding of the people Skilled with words Skilled with words The English Language and theater has never been the same since Shakespeare wrote. The English Language and theater has never been the same since Shakespeare wrote.

Why does he appeal to us? He speaks words that we wish we had said. People are always quoting him. He speaks words that we wish we had said. People are always quoting him. “It was Greek to me” “It was Greek to me” “A sorry sight” “A sorry sight” “In a pickle” “In a pickle” “To be or not to be” “To be or not to be” “All that glitters is not gold” “All that glitters is not gold” “elbow room” “elbow room” “The long and short of it” “The long and short of it”

Why does he appeal to us? He appeals to all kinds of people in all times, nations, ages, and levels He appeals to all kinds of people in all times, nations, ages, and levels He is serious, funny, angry, ironical… He is serious, funny, angry, ironical… He does not make moral judgments. He does not make moral judgments. He captures in words and actions all the great problems that have tormented human beings throughout the ages. We take comfort in the fact that the hero has flaws and is not perfect. He captures in words and actions all the great problems that have tormented human beings throughout the ages. We take comfort in the fact that the hero has flaws and is not perfect.

Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet

Romeo and Juliet Illustrations of Elizabethan Times throughout the play

Letters and Seals Friar John sent a message to Romeo. Friar John sent a message to Romeo. Romeo sent a message to his father. Romeo sent a message to his father. Lord Capulet sent his servant to invite guests to the party. Lord Capulet sent his servant to invite guests to the party.

Great Households The Capulets and the Montagues had servants in their houses. The Capulets and the Montagues had servants in their houses. Both houses treated their servants like part of the family. Both houses treated their servants like part of the family. The servants acted like part of the family. The servants acted like part of the family.

Marriage Customs The marriage between Romeo and Juliet did not end up following the regular customs. The wedding plans for Juliet and Paris would have been a grand affair, but Tybalt’s untimely death changed this. The marriage between Romeo and Juliet did not end up following the regular customs. The wedding plans for Juliet and Paris would have been a grand affair, but Tybalt’s untimely death changed this.

Funeral Customs Dead bodies are placed inside tombs near churches. Dead bodies are placed inside tombs near churches. They are placed above ground with other members of their family. They are placed above ground with other members of their family.

Messengers The nurse is a messenger for Juliet. The nurse is a messenger for Juliet. Friar John is a messenger for Friar Laurence. Friar John is a messenger for Friar Laurence. The servant is a messenger for Lord Capulet. The servant is a messenger for Lord Capulet.

Bells Bells are used at the beginning of the play to signal an alarm(fight). Bells are used at the beginning of the play to signal an alarm(fight). Bells are used for funerals Bells are used for funerals

Alchemy or Apothecary Romeo went to the apothecary to get some poison Romeo went to the apothecary to get some poison Juliet went to the Friar to get some help and he gave her a potion to help her sleep. Juliet went to the Friar to get some help and he gave her a potion to help her sleep.

Dances There were many dances that took place at the Capulet’s party where Romeo and Juliet met. There were many dances that took place at the Capulet’s party where Romeo and Juliet met. One dance even included bells. One dance even included bells.

Background to R & J

What is it about? The Montagues and Capulets are two rival families. The Montagues and Capulets are two rival families. Both families are feuding and neither remember why. Both families are feuding and neither remember why. What is Shakespeare trying to teach us about rivalries? What is Shakespeare trying to teach us about rivalries? What is the real reason that the families are still fighting? What is the real reason that the families are still fighting? They are warned by Prince Escalus that if the fighting continues the participants will be executed. (Act I) They are warned by Prince Escalus that if the fighting continues the participants will be executed. (Act I) Romeo and Juliet meet at a Capulet party and experience “love at first sight.”’ Romeo and Juliet meet at a Capulet party and experience “love at first sight.”’ However, Juliet is betrothed to Count Paris. (Act I) However, Juliet is betrothed to Count Paris. (Act I) What are some predictions you can make from that new insight? What are some predictions you can make from that new insight?

Things to Highlight Theme: Theme: Love concepts Love concepts Individual vs. society Individual vs. society Choice vs. fate Choice vs. fate Light vs. dark Light vs. dark Opposite points of view Opposite points of view Parent-child relationships Parent-child relationships Symbols Symbols Characterization Characterization Direct Indirect Foreshadowing Foreshadowing

Things to Highlight Figurative Language: Figurative Language: Oxymoron Oxymoron Euphemism Euphemism Pun Pun Simile Simile Metaphor Metaphor Hyperbole Hyperbole Understatement Allusion Personification Soliloquy Apostrophe Irony Verbal Dramatic Situational

Stay Tuned for the Continuing Saga of Romeo & Juliet ACT I

Capulets Juliet : The daughter, age 13, of Capulet and Lady Capulet. Juliet : The daughter, age 13, of Capulet and Lady Capulet. Lord Capulet : The patriarch of the Capulet family, father of Juliet, husband of Lady Capulet, and enemy, for unexplained reasons, of Montague. Lord Capulet : The patriarch of the Capulet family, father of Juliet, husband of Lady Capulet, and enemy, for unexplained reasons, of Montague. Lady Capulet : Juliet’s mother, Capulet’s wife. Lady Capulet : Juliet’s mother, Capulet’s wife. The Nurse : Juliet’s nurse, the woman who cared for Juliet since she was a baby. The Nurse : Juliet’s nurse, the woman who cared for Juliet since she was a baby. Tybalt : A Capulet, Juliet’s cousin on her mother’s side. Tybalt : A Capulet, Juliet’s cousin on her mother’s side. Samson & Gregory : Two servants of the house of Capulet, who, like their master, hate the Montagues. At the outset of the play, they successfully provoke some Montague men into a fight. Samson & Gregory : Two servants of the house of Capulet, who, like their master, hate the Montagues. At the outset of the play, they successfully provoke some Montague men into a fight.

Montagues Romeo: son, age 16, and heir of Montague and Lady Montague. Romeo: son, age 16, and heir of Montague and Lady Montague. Lord Montague: Romeo’s father, the patriarch of the Montague clan and bitter enemy of Capulet. Lord Montague: Romeo’s father, the patriarch of the Montague clan and bitter enemy of Capulet. Lady Montague: Romeo’s mother, Montague’s wife. She dies of grief after Romeo is exiled from Verona. Lady Montague: Romeo’s mother, Montague’s wife. She dies of grief after Romeo is exiled from Verona. Benvolio: Montague’s nephew, Romeo’s cousin and thoughtful friend Benvolio: Montague’s nephew, Romeo’s cousin and thoughtful friend Balthasar: Romeo’s dedicated servant, who brings Romeo the news of Juliet’s death, unaware that her death is a ruse. Balthasar: Romeo’s dedicated servant, who brings Romeo the news of Juliet’s death, unaware that her death is a ruse.

Neither Capulet or Montague No relation to the families: No relation to the families: Mercutio: A kinsman to the Prince, and Romeo’s close friend. Mercutio: A kinsman to the Prince, and Romeo’s close friend. Paris: A kinsman of the Prince, and the suitor of Juliet most preferred by Capulet. Paris: A kinsman of the Prince, and the suitor of Juliet most preferred by Capulet. Friar Laurence: Franciscan friar, friend to both Romeo and Juliet. Friar Laurence: Franciscan friar, friend to both Romeo and Juliet. Friar John: A Franciscan friar charged by Friar Lawrence with taking the news of Juliet’s false death to Romeo in Mantua. Friar John: A Franciscan friar charged by Friar Lawrence with taking the news of Juliet’s false death to Romeo in Mantua. Prince Escalus: The Prince of Verona. Prince Escalus: The Prince of Verona.

Setting Verona, Italy in the center of town Verona, Italy in the center of town

Adaptations