2. Introduction to William Shakespeare and His Plays

3. William Shakespeare: Interesting Facts The third of eight children born to John and Mary Shakespeare. John was a wealthy shopkeeper. The third of eight children born to John and Mary Shakespeare. John was a wealthy shopkeeper. His birthday is celebrated on April 23, 1564 and he died April 23, 1616. His birthday is celebrated on April 23, 1564 and he died April 23, 1616. Lived in Stratford upon Avon – would have known English, Greek, and Latin. Lived in Stratford upon Avon – would have known English, Greek, and Latin. Wrote 37 plays and 157 sonnets. Wrote 37 plays and 157 sonnets. He attended the King’s New School where classes began at 6 AM (summer) and 7 AM (winter) and lasted till 5 PM. He attended the King’s New School where classes began at 6 AM (summer) and 7 AM (winter) and lasted till 5 PM. Married Anne Hathaway – 1582 & Had 3 children (Susanna, Judith, and Hammet). Married Anne Hathaway – 1582 & Had 3 children (Susanna, Judith, and Hammet). In 1964, William Shakespeare became the first person other than royalty to appear on a United Kingdom stamp. In 1964, William Shakespeare became the first person other than royalty to appear on a United Kingdom stamp. In his will, he left his wife his “second best bed” with its furnishings. In his will, he left his wife his “second best bed” with its furnishings.

4. Shakespeare Career Started as an actor – Lord Chamberlain’s Men Started as an actor – Lord Chamberlain’s Men Also principal playwright for them. Also principal playwright for them. 1599 – built and became part-owner to The Globe Theater where most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed. 1599 – built and became part-owner to The Globe Theater where most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed.

5. The Globe Theater Plays produced for general Plays produced for general Public – held 3,000 people. Built in 1598-99 – Built in 1598-99 – burned to the ground in 1613. Open air, round theater Open air, round theater No artificial lighting No artificial lighting 3 levels 3 levels

6. Spectators at the Globe Wealthy got benches Wealthy got benches Poorer people watched from “the pit” Poorer people watched from “the pit” All but the wealthy were illiterate All but the wealthy were illiterate Performances were interactive Performances were interactive

7. Staging at The Globe Stage platform that extended into the pit Stage platform that extended into the pit Dressing & storage rooms in galleries behind & above stage Dressing & storage rooms in galleries behind & above stage second-level gallery provided the upper stage - for famous balcony scene in R & J second-level gallery provided the upper stage - for famous balcony scene in R & J Trap door in floor let ghosts appear. Trap door in floor let ghosts appear. Elaborate Costumes Elaborate Costumes Lots of props – even a flaming arrow! Lots of props – even a flaming arrow!

8. Actors at The Globe Old men and boys Old men and boys Young boy’s whose voices hadn’t changed played the parts of the women. Young boy’s whose voices hadn’t changed played the parts of the women. Would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage. Would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage. Monologues – are long speeches done with other actors on stage. Monologues – are long speeches done with other actors on stage. Soliloquy – A long speech representing the thoughts of the actor, usually done alone on stage Soliloquy – A long speech representing the thoughts of the actor, usually done alone on stage

9. The Products of Shakespeare Out of his 37 plays the top 6 most popular are: Hamlet Hamlet Othello Othello Macbeth Macbeth Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet The Tempest The Tempest Julius Caesar Julius Caesar

10. Shakespeare’s Writing Style Blank Verse – unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter Blank Verse – unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter Iambic pentameter – common meter of poetry. A line 10 syllables long in which every other syllable is stressed. Iambic pentameter – common meter of poetry. A line 10 syllables long in which every other syllable is stressed. Shakespeare loved to play with language – be on the look out for double meanings & puns. His humor can be found in the multiple ways he uses words. Shakespeare loved to play with language – be on the look out for double meanings & puns. His humor can be found in the multiple ways he uses words.

11. Sequence of Shakespearean Dramas Plot (EXPOSITION) begins with and introduces the following: Plot (EXPOSITION) begins with and introduces the following: –Setting –Characters –Basic Situation INCITING MOMENT – Often called the “initial moment”. First bit of action that begins the plot. INCITING MOMENT – Often called the “initial moment”. First bit of action that begins the plot.

12. Sequence of Shakespearean Dramas CONFLICT CONFLICT –Man vs. Man –Man vs. Nature –Man vs. Society –Man vs. Himself CRISIS – The point where the protagonist’s situation will either get better or worse. CRISIS – The point where the protagonist’s situation will either get better or worse. CLIMAX – Turning point in the story. CLIMAX – Turning point in the story. RESOLUTION – How everything turns out RESOLUTION – How everything turns out

13. Elements of a Tragedy Drama where the central character/s suffer disaster/great misfortune Drama where the central character/s suffer disaster/great misfortune –In many tragedies, downfall results from either: Fate Fate Character flaw/Fatal flaw Character flaw/Fatal flaw Combination of the two Combination of the two

14. Words of Wisdom from Shakespeare “To be or not to be; that is the question.” – Hamlet “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” – All’s Well That Ends Well “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em.” –Twelfth Night “It’s not enough to speak, but to speak true.” –Midsummer Night’s Dream

15. Introduction to Hamlet The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark was probably written in 1601. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark was probably written in 1601. Hamlet is based on the story of Amleth in Danish mythology. That character feigns madness in order to avenge his murdered father. Hamlet is based on the story of Amleth in Danish mythology. That character feigns madness in order to avenge his murdered father. Subsequent versions of the story and plays introduced additional elements that are also found in Shakespeare. Subsequent versions of the story and plays introduced additional elements that are also found in Shakespeare.

16. Hamlet Notes Shakespeare chose to make the murder of the father a secret and to use the ghost to reveal it to the son. Shakespeare chose to make the murder of the father a secret and to use the ghost to reveal it to the son. Hamlet is a play that looks at the stupidity & falseness of life. He is a kid who is tired of dishonesty. Hamlet is a play that looks at the stupidity & falseness of life. He is a kid who is tired of dishonesty. Hamlet isn’t pefect but choose not to compromise with evil. Hamlet isn’t pefect but choose not to compromise with evil.

17. Characters: Hamlet Hamlet is Prince Of Denmark Hamlet is Prince Of Denmark He has recently returned to Denmark from Wittenburg, where he is a student. He has recently returned to Denmark from Wittenburg, where he is a student. Father died while away. Father died while away. His uncle,Claudius, has both married Hamlet’s mother and become king. His uncle,Claudius, has both married Hamlet’s mother and become king. Hamlet is upset about events & doesn’t like anything that has happened since his father’s death. Especially after he is visited by the ghost! Hamlet is upset about events & doesn’t like anything that has happened since his father’s death. Especially after he is visited by the ghost!

18. Characters: Ghost Hamlet’s father was also named Hamlet. Hamlet’s father was also named Hamlet. A ghost appears in the first act and claims that it is the spirit of the dead king. A ghost appears in the first act and claims that it is the spirit of the dead king. However…the ghost could lie. However…the ghost could lie. It was believed during Shakespeare’s time that ghosts or other spirits could take on any shape they chose for their own evil purposes. It was believed during Shakespeare’s time that ghosts or other spirits could take on any shape they chose for their own evil purposes. It is important for Hamlet to confirm the true identity of the ghost before he acts on what the ghost tells him or even believe that what it tells him is true. It is important for Hamlet to confirm the true identity of the ghost before he acts on what the ghost tells him or even believe that what it tells him is true.

19. Characters: Claudius Claudius is Hamlet’s uncle and, as the play opens, becomes his stepfather as well. Claudius is Hamlet’s uncle and, as the play opens, becomes his stepfather as well. Following the death of Claudius’ brother, Hamlet’s father, Claudius has become King by election of the nobles. Following the death of Claudius’ brother, Hamlet’s father, Claudius has become King by election of the nobles. He has also hurriedly married Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, whom he genuinely seems to love. He has also hurriedly married Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, whom he genuinely seems to love.

20. Characters: Gertrude Gertrude is Hamlet’s mother and the Queen. Gertrude is Hamlet’s mother and the Queen. Hamlet is very upset that she has married his uncle so soon after the death of his father. Hamlet is very upset that she has married his uncle so soon after the death of his father. The crowning of Claudius seems to have taken place before Hamlet has had time to arrive from Wittenburg or very shortly thereafter. Gertrude’s marriage to Clausdius may have taken place just prior to the entrance in Act 1, scene 2. The crowning of Claudius seems to have taken place before Hamlet has had time to arrive from Wittenburg or very shortly thereafter. Gertrude’s marriage to Clausdius may have taken place just prior to the entrance in Act 1, scene 2.

21. Character: Horatio Horatio is Hamlet’s friend and confidant. Hamlet suggests to Horatio that he intends to pretend to be insane (1.5.171-172), and he relates other secrets to Horatio as the play develops. Horatio is Hamlet’s friend and confidant. Hamlet suggests to Horatio that he intends to pretend to be insane (1.5.171-172), and he relates other secrets to Horatio as the play develops. Horatio is ALWAYS a reliable narrator. Horatio is ALWAYS a reliable narrator. Horatio, in essence, is present to represent the audience on stage, to ask questions and respond to Hamlet for us. Horatio, in essence, is present to represent the audience on stage, to ask questions and respond to Hamlet for us.

22. Characters: Ophelia Ophelia is Hamlet’s tragic lady love. Ophelia is Hamlet’s tragic lady love. She is the daughter to Polonius who is the pompous head of state to Claudius. She is the daughter to Polonius who is the pompous head of state to Claudius. Ophelia is mentally fragile, but her love for Hamlet is genuine. Ophelia is mentally fragile, but her love for Hamlet is genuine.

23. Character: Fortinbras Side story that mirrors Hamlet’s own story. Side story that mirrors Hamlet’s own story. Fortinbras is the prince of Norway. Fortinbras is the prince of Norway. His father also recently died, & uncle took the throne in place of the dead king. His father also recently died, & uncle took the throne in place of the dead king. Fortinbras threatens to invade Denmark. Fortinbras threatens to invade Denmark. As consolation, he is allowed to attack Poland. As consolation, he is allowed to attack Poland.

24. Themes to Look For MADNESS – Who is really mad? Who is pretending to be? MADNESS – Who is really mad? Who is pretending to be? In Shakespeare’s time – insanity was considered a punishment for one’s sins. In Shakespeare’s time – insanity was considered a punishment for one’s sins. INDECISION - Hamlet seems to be a driven individual but other times procrastinates to absurdity. Why? INDECISION - Hamlet seems to be a driven individual but other times procrastinates to absurdity. Why? REVENGE REVENGE SOUL SEARCHING SOUL SEARCHING