Introduction to Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Born 1564, died 1616 Born 1564, died 1616 Wrote 37 plays Wrote 37 plays Wrote over 150 sonnets Wrote over 150 sonnets Actor, poet, playwright Actor, poet, playwright

Childhood William Shakespeare was born on April 23rd, William Shakespeare was born on April 23rd, Shakespeare died on April 23rd, Shakespeare died on April 23rd, William’s father was John, a local business man, and his mother was Mary. William’s father was John, a local business man, and his mother was Mary. William was the third oldest child. Shakespeare had seven brothers and sisters. William was the third oldest child. Shakespeare had seven brothers and sisters.

Marriage In 1582 Shakespeare, then 18, married 26 year old Anne Hathaway. In 1582 Shakespeare, then 18, married 26 year old Anne Hathaway. The eight year age gap was unusual for the time. The eight year age gap was unusual for the time. At the time they were married Hathaway was pregnant with their first child, Susanna. At the time they were married Hathaway was pregnant with their first child, Susanna. Shakespeare did not like his wife Shakespeare did not like his wife

Family Anne and William had two other children, twins Judith and Hamnet. Anne and William had two other children, twins Judith and Hamnet. At the age of eleven Hamnet passed away. At the age of eleven Hamnet passed away. Shakespeare was very distraught by the death of his son and paid tribute to him in the play Hamlet. Shakespeare was very distraught by the death of his son and paid tribute to him in the play Hamlet.

Family Shakespeare had a very small family for the time, usually people had larger families due to high child mortality rates. Shakespeare had a very small family for the time, usually people had larger families due to high child mortality rates. Though Shakespeare ’ s family resided in Stratford Shakespeare spent the majority of his time in London. Though Shakespeare ’ s family resided in Stratford Shakespeare spent the majority of his time in London. Shakespeare resided in Stratford only during the winter. Shakespeare resided in Stratford only during the winter.

Family

Shakespeare ’ s house

Shakespeare wrote: Shakespeare wrote: Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy ending Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy ending Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings Histories – involve events or persons from history Histories – involve events or persons from history Types of Plays

Shakespeare began his career with the comedies and ended with the tragedies. Shakespeare began his career with the comedies and ended with the tragedies. Types of Plays

Shakespeare ’ s Comedy Shakespeare ’ s comedy generally involves some sort of romantic folly where there are mismatched romantic pairings. Shakespeare ’ s comedy generally involves some sort of romantic folly where there are mismatched romantic pairings. One trait of Shakespeare ’ s comedy is that nobody will die. One trait of Shakespeare ’ s comedy is that nobody will die.

Midsummer Night’s Dream

Merchant of Venice

Shakespeare ’ s Tragedy Shakespeare ’ s tragedy involves a main character who is a prominent figure in his/her society. Shakespeare ’ s tragedy involves a main character who is a prominent figure in his/her society. There is always a flaw in this person ’ s character that he/she doesn ’ t realize. There is always a flaw in this person ’ s character that he/she doesn ’ t realize. The main character will always fall from power. The main character will always fall from power. The main character will always die. The main character will always die.

Macbeth

Hamlet

Shakespeare ’ s Plays Shakespeare ’ s plays typically have five acts. Shakespeare ’ s plays typically have five acts. Typically there is a character of lower class who can see through all of the confusion in the play and tells the audience what is really going on. Typically there is a character of lower class who can see through all of the confusion in the play and tells the audience what is really going on. Shakespeare also relies on soliloquies and asides to inform the audience of plot. Shakespeare also relies on soliloquies and asides to inform the audience of plot.

Soliloquy A soliloquy is anytime where a character is alone on stage and talking to the audience. A soliloquy is anytime where a character is alone on stage and talking to the audience. The character will break the fourth wall and tell the audience what he/she is thinking. The character will break the fourth wall and tell the audience what he/she is thinking. Typically in tragedy this is where we learn the main characters tragic flaw. Typically in tragedy this is where we learn the main characters tragic flaw.

Aside An aside is similar to a soliloquy but the character is not alone on the stage. An aside is similar to a soliloquy but the character is not alone on the stage. Again the fourth wall is broken, but only the audience knows what is going on. Again the fourth wall is broken, but only the audience knows what is going on.

The Globe Theatre: The Globe Theatre: Open ceiling Open ceiling Three stories high Three stories high No artificial lighting No artificial lighting Plays were shown during daylight hours only Plays were shown during daylight hours only The Theatre

Spectators Wealthy people got to sit on benches Wealthy people got to sit on benches The poor (called “groundlings”) had to stand and watch from the courtyard The poor (called “groundlings”) had to stand and watch from the courtyard There was much more audience participation than today There was much more audience participation than today

Actors Only men and boys Only men and boys Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women’s roles Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women’s roles It would have been indecent for a woman to appear on stage It would have been indecent for a woman to appear on stage

Actors So will you kiss the Juliet when “she” is actually a boy? So will you kiss the Juliet when “she” is actually a boy?

Shakespeare's financial success in the London theatre enabled him to retire and return to his home in Stratford around He lived there comfortably until his death on April 23, He is buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon- Avon. Shakespeare ’ s effigy Resting Place

Questions for you! 1. What is “tragedy?” 1. What is “tragedy?” serious dramas with disastrous endings

2. 1. What is “comedy?” What is “comedy?” light and amusing dramas, usually with a happy ending

3. What are the four great Shakespearean tragedies? 3. What are the four great Shakespearean tragedies? Othello, Macbeth, Hamlet, King Lear

4. Is “Romeo and Juliet” a tragedy or a comedy? 4. Is “Romeo and Juliet” a tragedy or a comedy? 5. “Romeo and Juliet” isn’t among the four great tragedies. Why not? 5. “Romeo and Juliet” isn’t among the four great tragedies. Why not?

6. Is “Merchant of Venice” a comedy or a tragedy? Why? 6. Is “Merchant of Venice” a comedy or a tragedy? Why?

7. Which is greater? 7. Which is greater? A comedy or a tragedy? A comedy or a tragedy? Why? Why?