1. Introducing William Shakespeare

2. The Man, The Myth, and The Legend Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England in 1564 Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England in 1564 Current ruler: Queen Elizabeth I (her 6 th year of rule at the time) Current ruler: Queen Elizabeth I (her 6 th year of rule at the time) Christened on April 26, his actual day of birth is unknown Christened on April 26, his actual day of birth is unknown

3. Family Son of John and Mary Arden Shakespeare Son of John and Mary Arden Shakespeare John Shakespeare was a glovemaker, an alderman, and served as mayor for some time. John Shakespeare was a glovemaker, an alderman, and served as mayor for some time. Towards the end of his life he lost most of his money. Towards the end of his life he lost most of his money.

4. His life William went to a very good grammar school. William went to a very good grammar school. In 1582, at age 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who was 7 or 8 years older than him. In 1582, at age 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who was 7 or 8 years older than him. It is thought that they may have been unhappy together. It is thought that they may have been unhappy together. Their 1 st daughter Susanna was born in 1583 and their twins Judith and Hamnet were born in 1585. Their 1 st daughter Susanna was born in 1583 and their twins Judith and Hamnet were born in 1585. Yet his only son Hamnet died at age 11. Yet his only son Hamnet died at age 11.

5. Career By 1592 Shakespeare was known as an actor and playwright, at age 28. By 1592 Shakespeare was known as an actor and playwright, at age 28. Between 1592 and 1594 most theaters were closed due to the outbreak of the plague which killed thousands. During this time he wrote sonnets. Between 1592 and 1594 most theaters were closed due to the outbreak of the plague which killed thousands. During this time he wrote sonnets.

6. Theater What do you think of when you think of the word ‘theater’? What do you think of when you think of the word ‘theater’? Movies? Movies? The city- New York, Philadelphia, etc. The city- New York, Philadelphia, etc. Fancy Dress- suits, gowns, etc. Fancy Dress- suits, gowns, etc. Expensive tickets. Expensive tickets. Very quiet, no food or drink, very serious. Very quiet, no food or drink, very serious.

7. Shakespeare’s Theater The family The Burbages ran most of the theaters in at the time. The family The Burbages ran most of the theaters in at the time. In 1598 he built the famous Globe Theater. Shakespeare owned shares in the theater. In 1598 he built the famous Globe Theater. Shakespeare owned shares in the theater. Where was the Globe located? Where was the Globe located? It was actually outside of London, across London Bridge, called “Southwark.” It was actually outside of London, across London Bridge, called “Southwark.”

8. Southwark What else was located in this area? What else was located in this area? People went there for entertainment. People went there for entertainment. Bearbaiting Bearbaiting Brothels (there were over 100 here in the year 1600) Brothels (there were over 100 here in the year 1600) How did people get to Southwark? How did people get to Southwark? It was located outside of London over London Bridge. It was located outside of London over London Bridge. So they had to take the ferry or walk over the bridge. So they had to take the ferry or walk over the bridge.

9. Cost of getting there How much was a ferry ride? How much was a ferry ride? A lot! How much did it cost to walk over the bridge? Nothing! So which did people choose? The bridge!

10. Theater Atmosphere What would you see walking over the bridge? What would you see walking over the bridge? Heads on Spikes!!! (not a very classy walk to the theater.) Heads on Spikes!!! (not a very classy walk to the theater.) How much did it cost to get into a show? How much did it cost to get into a show? 1 penny! How much did a beer cost?How much did a beer cost? 1 penny!!!1 penny!!!

11. Theater Atmosphere Who attended the theater? Who attended the theater? Everyone! Everyone! Except – The Queen – she had private plays at court. Except – The Queen – she had private plays at court. Who sat where? Who sat where? The stadium seats were more expensive because they were somewhat protected from the weather- rain, heat, etc. The stadium seats were more expensive because they were somewhat protected from the weather- rain, heat, etc.

12. The Globe (restored)

13. Sketch of inside

14. Theater Atmosphere The Theater was open to the sky much like today's stadiums. The Theater was open to the sky much like today's stadiums. The cheapest ‘seats’ were standing room on the floor in front of the stage, called the ‘pit’ area. The cheapest ‘seats’ were standing room on the floor in front of the stage, called the ‘pit’ area. The poor were the ones standing and they were called ‘the groundlings.’ The poor were the ones standing and they were called ‘the groundlings.’

15. The Gallery Area

16. The Groundling Pit

17. Theater Atmosphere Plays could only be performed during the daytime so there was light. Plays could only be performed during the daytime so there was light. A flag hung above the door of The Globe to let people know that there was a play that day and what type it was. A different color represented comedy, tragedy, or history. A flag hung above the door of The Globe to let people know that there was a play that day and what type it was. A different color represented comedy, tragedy, or history. Since people would be coming from work, they would be tired and in work clothes. Since people would be coming from work, they would be tired and in work clothes. Theater was one of their only breaks from hard physical labor. Theater was one of their only breaks from hard physical labor. The people that they worked for or served were out of their minds because they were high up above them and nowhere to be seen. The people that they worked for or served were out of their minds because they were high up above them and nowhere to be seen.

18. Carnival Attitude What would it be like there? What would it be like there? Crazy, wild, drunken times! Crazy, wild, drunken times! Why would the courts want people to partake in this? Why would the courts want people to partake in this? What holiday do we have now that is like a carnival? What holiday do we have now that is like a carnival? There used to be Carnival weeks where the lower classes would drink, party, eat, etc. There used to be Carnival weeks where the lower classes would drink, party, eat, etc. The courts allowed this because it calmed the masses. The courts allowed this because it calmed the masses. They could have that time to run wild and relieve stress, which distracts them from thinking about how unhappy and mistreated they are. They could have that time to run wild and relieve stress, which distracts them from thinking about how unhappy and mistreated they are. Theater replaced that carnival atmosphere. Theater replaced that carnival atmosphere.

19. The Stage

20. Crowd Control Who controlled the performances? Who controlled the performances? The crowd did! The crowd did! The actors and playwright had to please the masses. The actors and playwright had to please the masses. If they did not like it they would throw food, boo, hiss, and talk during the play. If they did not like it they would throw food, boo, hiss, and talk during the play. The actors often spoke directly to the audience, created characters that they could bond with, made fun of authority figures to please them, and include them in the interaction of the play. The actors often spoke directly to the audience, created characters that they could bond with, made fun of authority figures to please them, and include them in the interaction of the play.

21. Points of Shakespeare's Style: Use of metaphors– comparing something in terms of something else, i.e. "That lowliness is young ambition’s ladder". Use of soliloquies– usually longer speeches given by characters when alone on stage– e.g. a person talking to himself out loud. Use of asides– when a character says something to the audience, but the other characters on stage cannot hear it, e.g. like muttering to himself.

22. Points of Shakespeare’s Style: (continued) Use of sonnets– a very rigid poetic style of writing. Fourteen lines consisting of three sets of four line quatrains and a two line rhyming couplet at the end. Rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, e.g. Use of puns– humourous plays on words indicating different meanings. i.e. the Cobbler says, "A trade, sir, that I hope I may use with a safe conscience, which is indeed a mender of bad soles.” A cobbler is a mender of shoes or a bungler.

23. Early Rome Rome was established in 753 B.C. For 200 years ruled by Tarquin kings who were tyrants The Tarquins were overthrown by Lucius Junius Brutus in 510 B.C. – an ancestor of Brutus in the play. A democratic republic was then established which lasted until the death of Julius Caesar. The Romans were very proud of their democratic system and were repulsed by the thought of being ruled by a king.

24. Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar was born in 100 B.C. Gaius Julius Caesar He gained power and wealth due to a series of successful campaigns in which he conquered what is now Britain, France, much of central and eastern Europe, and parts of North Africa. conquered The quote, “veni, vidi, vici” is aptly credited to Julius Caesar.

25. What Did Caesar Do for Rome? He built roads. He developed irrigation systems. He financed public parks and buildings. He even made changes to the calendar. Indeed, he was well liked and very powerful.

26. What Got Caesar into Trouble? It appears he was much more interested in things other than military conquest. After a series of civil wars that lasted until 48 B.C., Caesar declared himself Rome’s dictator for life. Many people believed that Caesar wanted more than just power; he wanted a powerful title.

27. What Got Caesar into Trouble? (Continued) Many Romans assumed that Caesar was ready to declare himself King of Rome and eliminate the five hundred year old republic of which the Romans were so proud. Remember the Tarquins, the tyrant kings who ruled over Rome for 243 years? There was no way Romans were going to return to that style of government. Someone had to put a stop to this pursuit of absolute power, and so enter the conspirators....Beware the Ides of March!

28. Play Versus The History Therefore, there is much historically accurate information, but a story to entertain the audience must also unfold. Yes! There is much to learn from the works of William Shakespeare. As we study this play, remember Shakespeare wished not only to inform his audience about the history of Julius Caesar but also to entertain them.

29. Tragic Hero Is often the protagonist who has a tragic flaw, which eventually leads to demise/defeat. Usually includes realization of fatal flaw, which results in catharsis or epiphany. Tragic Flaw = Achilles’ heel

30. Aristotelian Tragic Hero Nobleness (of birth) or wisdom (virtue of birth) Hamartia (flaw) A reversal of fortune (peripetia) Discovery/recognition of reversal of fortune brought by hero’s own actions (anagnosis)

31. Other Common Traits Hero suffers more than deserves Doomed from start, but has no responsibility for flaw Noble but imperfect Discovers fate by own actions Sees and understands doom Story should arouse fear and empathy Hero should be physically/spiritually wounded by his experience. May result in death. Should be leader/king so people fall with him. Should be intelligent so he can learn from mistake

32. Works Cited “Absolute Shakespeare”. Online. Internet. May 9, 2005. Available: http:www.absoluteshakespeare.com “Converse: The Literature Web Site”. Online. Internet. May 9, 2005. Available: http://aspirations.english.cam.ac.uk/converse/about/sitemap.acds Goldberg, Neil Dr. “Rome Project: Maps of the Roman Empire”, Online. Internet. May 9, 2005. Available: http://intranet.dalton.org/groups/Rome/RMap.html “Julius Caesar: The Last Dictator”, Online. Internet. May 9, 2005. Available: http://heraklia.fws1.com/ “Roman Empire Map”, Online. Internet. May 9, 2005. Available: http://heraklia.fws1.com/ Roy, Ken, ed. Julius Caesar. Toronto: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1987. Saliani, Dom, Chris Ferguson, and Dr. Tim Scott, eds. Introducing Shakespeare. Toronto: International Thomson Publishing, 1997. “Shakespeare’s Birthplace”. Online. Internet. May 9, 2005. Available: http://www.stratford.co.uk/prop1.asp “Shakespeare Online”. Online. Internet. May 9, 2005. Available: http://www.shakespeare-online.com