IntroducingIntroducing

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

The Man, The Myth, and The The Man, The Myth, and The LegendLegend

Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England in in 15641564

Current ruler: Queen Elizabeth ICurrent ruler: Queen Elizabeth I (her (her 66thth year of rule at the time) year of rule at the time)

ChristenedChristened on on April 26April 26, his actual day , his actual day of birth is unknownof birth is unknown

FamilyFamilySon of John and Mary Arden Son of John and Mary Arden

ShakespeareShakespeare John Shakespeare was a glovemaker, John Shakespeare was a glovemaker,

an alderman, and served as mayor an alderman, and served as mayor for some time. for some time.

Towards the end of his life he lost Towards the end of his life he lost most of his money.most of his money.

His lifeHis life William went to a very good grammar school. William went to a very good grammar school. In In 1582, at age 18, he married Anne 1582, at age 18, he married Anne

HathawayHathaway, who was 7 or 8 years older , who was 7 or 8 years older thanthan him.him.

It is thought that they It is thought that they may have been may have been unhappyunhappy together. together.

Their Their 11stst daughter Susanna was born in 1583 daughter Susanna was born in 1583 and their twins Judith and Hamnet were born and their twins Judith and Hamnet were born in 1585. in 1585.

Yet his Yet his only son Hamnet died at age 11only son Hamnet died at age 11..

CareerCareerBy 1592 Shakespeare was By 1592 Shakespeare was known as known as

an actor and playwright, at age 28an actor and playwright, at age 28..Between 1592 and 1594 most Between 1592 and 1594 most

theaters were closed due to the theaters were closed due to the outbreak of the plagueoutbreak of the plague which killed which killed thousands. During this time thousands. During this time he wrote he wrote sonnetssonnets. .

TheaterTheaterWhat do you think of when you think What do you think of when you think

of the word ‘theater’? 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 Very quiet, no food or drink, very

serious.serious.

Shakespeare’s TheaterShakespeare’s TheaterThe family The family The Burbages ran most of The Burbages ran most of

the theatersthe theaters in at the time. in at the time. In In 1598 he built the famous Globe 1598 he built the famous Globe

TheaterTheater. Shakespeare owned shares in . Shakespeare owned shares in the theater. the theater.

Where was the Globe located?Where was the Globe located? It was actually outside of London, It was actually outside of London,

across London Bridge, called across London Bridge, called “Southwark.”“Southwark.”

SouthwarkSouthwark What else was located in this area?What else was located in this area? People went there for entertainment.People went there for entertainment. BearbaitingBearbaiting BrothelsBrothels (there were over 100 here in the (there were over 100 here in the

year 1600)year 1600) How did people get to Southwark?How did people get to Southwark? It was located outside of London It was located outside of London over over

London Bridge. London Bridge. So they had to take the ferry or walk over So they had to take the ferry or walk over

the bridge. the bridge.

Cost of getting thereCost of getting thereHow much was a ferry ride?How much was a ferry ride?

A lot!A lot!How much did it cost to walk over the How much did it cost to walk over the

bridge?bridge?Nothing! Nothing!

So which did people choose?So which did people choose?The bridge!The bridge!

Theater AtmosphereTheater AtmosphereWhat would you see walking over the What would you see walking over the

bridge?bridge?Heads on Spikes!!! (not a very classy Heads on Spikes!!! (not a very classy

walk to the theater.)walk to the theater.)How much did it How much did it cost to get into a cost to get into a

show?show?1 penny!1 penny!

• How much did a beer cost?How much did a beer cost?• 1 penny!!!1 penny!!!

Theater AtmosphereTheater AtmosphereWho attended the theater?Who attended the theater?Everyone! Everyone! Except – The Queen – she had private Except – The Queen – she had private

plays at court.plays at court.Who sat where?Who sat where? The stadium seats were more expensive The stadium seats were more expensive

because they were somewhat protected because they were somewhat protected from the weather- rain, heat, etc. from the weather- rain, heat, etc.

The Globe (restored)The Globe (restored)

Sketch of insideSketch of inside

Theater AtmosphereTheater AtmosphereThe Theater was The Theater was open to the skyopen to the sky

much like today's stadiums. much like today's stadiums. The The cheapest ‘seats’ were standing cheapest ‘seats’ were standing

roomroom on the floor on the floor in front of the in front of the stagestage, called the , called the ‘pit’ area‘pit’ area..

The poor were the ones standing and The poor were the ones standing and they were called ‘the groundlings.’they were called ‘the groundlings.’

The Gallery AreaThe Gallery Area

The Groundling PitThe Groundling Pit

Theater AtmosphereTheater Atmosphere PlaysPlays could only be could only be performed during the daytimeperformed during the daytime

so there was light.so there was light. A flag hung above the door of The Globe to let A flag hung above the door of The Globe to let

people know that there was a play that day and people know that there was a play that day and what type it was. A different color represented what type it was. A different color represented comedy, tragedy, or history.comedy, tragedy, or history.

Since Since people would be coming from workpeople would be coming from work, they , they would be tired and in work clothes. would be tired and in work clothes.

Theater was one of their only breaksTheater was one of their only breaks from hard from hard physical labor. physical labor.

The people that they worked for or served were The people that they worked for or served were out of their minds because they were high up out of their minds because they were high up above them and nowhere to be seen. above them and nowhere to be seen.

Carnival AttitudeCarnival 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 There used to be Carnival weeks where the lower

classes would drink, party, eat, etc. 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 They could have that time to run wild and relieve

stress, which stress, which distracts them from thinking about how distracts them from thinking about how unhappy and mistreated they are.unhappy and mistreated they are.

Theater replaced that carnival atmosphere. Theater replaced that carnival atmosphere.

The StageThe Stage

Crowd ControlCrowd Control Who controlled the performances?Who controlled the performances? The crowd did!The crowd did! The actors and playwright had to please the The actors and playwright had to please the

masses.masses. If they did not like it they would throw food, If they did not like it they would throw food,

boo, hiss, and talk during the play.boo, hiss, and talk during the play. The actors often spoke directly to the The actors often spoke directly to the

audience, created characters that they audience, created characters that they could bond with, made fun of authority could bond with, made fun of authority figures to please them, and include them in figures to please them, and include them in the interaction of the play. the interaction of the play.

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.

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.

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.

Julius CaesarGaius Julius Caesar was born in 100 B.C.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.

The quote, “veni, vidi, vici” is aptly credited to Julius Caesar.

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.

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.

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!

Play Versus The HistoryTherefore, 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.

Tragic HeroIs 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

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)

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

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