2. An Elizabethan Introduction

3. But first, WHY drama? But first, WHY drama? An imitation of actions and ideas Earliest known form: reenacting a hunt Became a ritual that was overseen by a Shaman (a religious figurehead)

4. Drama Greeks used this ritual as a way to worship their mythical gods Ritual was used at many festivals such as the Festival of Dionysus= Spring Break. Three-day gathering of drinking and watching a playwright contest. Performed by a chorus of men and boys

5. After the fall of the roman empire, the church decided that theatre was evil, and was therefore outlawed during the middle ages (500 AD- 1500 AD)

6. The church came around, however, and started using theatre during mass Mystery Plays: plays about bible stories Miracle Plays: plays about saints Morality Plays: plays that support living a godly life

7. Which brings us to SHAKESPEARE

8. Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare did NOT write in “Old English.” Old English is the language of Beowulf: “In the dark night the shadow-goer came stalking. The warriors slept, those whose duty it was to guard the building, all but one. It was known to me that, if the Ruler did not wish it, the injurer could not draw them into the shadows, but Beowulf, awake and fiercely angry, awaited the battle’s result, enraged in heart.”

9. Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare did NOT write in “Middle English.” Middle English is the language of Chaucer, the Gawain-poet, and Malory: And it is don, aftirward Jesus made iourne bi cites & castelis prechende & euangelisende þe rewme of god, & twelue wiþ hym & summe wymmen þat weren helid of wicke spiritis & sicnesses, marie þat is clepid maudeleyn, of whom seuene deuelis wenten out & Jone þe wif off chusi procuratour of eroude, & susanne & manye oþere þat mynystreden to hym of her facultes — Luke ch.8, v.1–3 Shakespeare wrote in “Early Modern English.”

10. Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare coined many words we still use today: Critical Majestic Dwindle And quite a few phrases as well: One fell swoop Flesh and blood Vanish into thin air

11. Shakespeare’s Language Thou: used to express intimacy, familiarity or even disrespect Thou: used to express intimacy, familiarity or even disrespect You: used for formal circumstances You: used for formal circumstances

12. The Renaissance 1500-1650 1500-1650 “Rebirth” of arts, culture, science “Rebirth” of arts, culture, science Discovery of “New World” Discovery of “New World” King Henry VIII = renaissance man (ideal) King Henry VIII = renaissance man (ideal) Reformation of Catholic Church Reformation of Catholic Church

13. Rulers of Note King Henry VIII 17 when crowned 17 when crowned 6 marriages 6 marriages 1530—broke with the Catholic church and created Church of England (a.k.a. Anglican Church) 1530—broke with the Catholic church and created Church of England (a.k.a. Anglican Church)

14. King Henry VIII

15. Queen Elizabeth I Daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn (2nd of his 6 wives) Daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn (2nd of his 6 wives) Henry had Anne beheaded for “treason” Henry had Anne beheaded for “treason” Younger sister of “Bloody Mary” Younger sister of “Bloody Mary” “Virgin Queen”? “Virgin Queen”?

16. Renaissance A.K.A. Elizabethan Era Elizabethans considered drama a lower form of literature than poetry English women had limited rights. Commoners suffered from poor diet and crowded living conditions. The people were vulnerable to outbreaks of the bubonic plague. In 1564, the plague killed nearly 1/3 of the people in Shakespeare’s hometown. Queen Elizabeth died in 1603, and King James of Scotland assumed the English throne. He was a supporter of the arts and literature. He renamed Shakespeare’s theater company the King’s Men.

17.  No electricity  Women forbidden to act on stage  Minimal, contemporary costumes  Minimal scenery These control the dialogue. *A theatrical convention is a suspension of reality.

18. Audience loves to be scared  Soliloquy  Aside Types of speech  Blood and gore  Use of supernatural

19.  Use of disguises/ mistaken identity  Multiple marriages (in comedies)  Multiple murders (in tragedies)  Last speaker—highest in rank (in tragedies)

20. Theatre in London Traveling troupes of actors performed in courtyards of inns Traveling troupes of actors performed in courtyards of inns The Theatre-first public theater-1576 The Theatre-first public theater-1576 Daytime/open air Daytime/open air Limited set design Limited set design Relied on music, sound, costumes, props and great description Relied on music, sound, costumes, props and great description

21. The Globe Theatre Built in 1599 Built in 1599 Across the Thames River- “Wrong side of town” Across the Thames River- “Wrong side of town” King’s Men - Shakespeare’s company King’s Men - Shakespeare’s company Rebuilt Globe Theatre

22. The Globe Theatre Capacity 2,000- 3,000 spectators The theatre stood until the 29 of June, 1613. The thatched roof was set ablaze by a cannon firing during Henry VIII; 1614 reconstructed, shut down in 1642, and torn down in 1644

24. Admission 1 shilling to stand 1 shilling to stand 2 shillings to sit in the balcony 2 shillings to sit in the balcony 3 shillings to sit in the Lord’s Rooms 3 shillings to sit in the Lord’s Rooms 1 shilling was 10% of their weekly income 1 shilling was 10% of their weekly income Broadway today: Broadway today: $85 Orchestra $85 Orchestra $60 Balcony $60 Balcony 10% of a teacher’s weekly salary 10% of a teacher’s weekly salary

25. The Groundlings Poor audience members Poor audience members Stood around stage in “the pit” Stood around stage in “the pit” Theatre was open-air; pit became mud when it rained Theatre was open-air; pit became mud when it rained Women not allowed (had to dress up as men to attend) Women not allowed (had to dress up as men to attend) Threw rotten vegetables at bad performances Threw rotten vegetables at bad performances

26. Actors All men; theatre/acting considered too “dangerous” for women All men; theatre/acting considered too “dangerous” for women Actors looked down upon in society Actors looked down upon in society Female parts played by young boys who had not yet hit puberty Female parts played by young boys who had not yet hit puberty No actual kissing or hugging on stage No actual kissing or hugging on stage

27. Tragedies End in the death of one or more of the main characters. End in the death of one or more of the main characters. Most of Shakespeare’s tragedies involve historical individuals and events Most of Shakespeare’s tragedies involve historical individuals and events

28. Doom and Destiny Many people believed in fate, or destiny, and in the power of the stars to foretell the future. Shakespeare uses the idea of fate or destiny to add excitement and anticipation to the tragedies Uses a prophecy as a way of holding the audience’s interest, because everyone wants to see if it will be fulfilled.

29. Tragic Endings Tragedies give a very bleak view of the world. Tragedies give a very bleak view of the world. At the end, the hero (and usually several other characters) are dead, and the survivors are left to start again without them. At the end, the hero (and usually several other characters) are dead, and the survivors are left to start again without them. Although most tragic heroes are partly to blame for their own fates, death can be a very high price to pay for what may have seemed initially like a small failing. Although most tragic heroes are partly to blame for their own fates, death can be a very high price to pay for what may have seemed initially like a small failing.

30. Tragic Endings In most tragedies, there is also a feeling that some good may have come out of the terrible suffering. At the end of Romeo and Juliet, because the families’ fighting has partly caused the tragedy, they finally resolve to end their feud.