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The Globe Theatre Other theatres of the era Rivalry of acting
companies Acting in Shakespeare’s
time Closing of theatres Questionable morality of
theatre world Origin of the Romeo and
Juliet story Early productions of
Romeo and Juliet Natural Order: class
system Monarchy (succession)
Formation of Church of England (Henry VIII)
History of Catholicism in England
Elizabeth I as patron of the arts
Transition to James I Elizabeth vs. Mary King James Bible Significance of astrology
in daily life Love/marriage in
Shakespeare’s time Clothing Fencing
The English Renaissance An opulent renaissance of art and
culture took place in England during the early 16th and 17th Centuries.– 16th Century=1500s– 17th Century=1600s
Poetry, drama, philosophy, and science flourished during this period.
Elizabeth I
Queen of England from 1558 to 1603.
The time of her reign is known as the Elizabethan Era.
James I
Succeeded Elizabeth I Reigned over England until 1625. The time of his reign is known as
the Jacobean Era.
William Shakespeare
April 23, 1564 (?)-
April 23, 1616
Early Life
Born in Stratford, England On the banks of the Avon RiverSon of a glove-maker
Christening – April 26, 1564 Third of eight children Nov. 1582- Married Anne Hathaway
– 8 years older than he May 1583 – child Susanna baptized
(you do the math) Living in London (1589)
Popular Entertainer
ActorDirectorWriterPartner
Contemporaries recognized his genius Modern-day examples of people who act,
direct, write, and own: Mel Brooks, Robert Redford, Tyler Perry, Kevin Smith…
Business Man
Acting, writing, directing paid the bills Real wealth – his share of the ticket
receipts.– Part owner of the acting company– Part owner of the theater (Globe)
(think Houston Astros’ owner)- did send money home to his wife- bought one of the largest homes in
Stratford for his family- bought respectability – coat-of-arms
Criticisms of Shakespeare
Education was limited- had church bells (not invented until medieval times in Rome)
Didn’t travel and see the world– Never visited Italy; mistakes in plays
Knew little of foreign languages Commoner
– Wrote of intimate details that would have been unknown to him
Popular Entertainment
No cinema, no television, no football– Wealthy people hired musicians, actors,
dancers and fencers– Everyone else had to find entertainment:
In London, it was
Theater
Today: Go to a movie, then a bar or nightclub
Then: Go to a play, then a tavern
Wrong Side of the River
The lifestyles of the rich and famous- Fun to watch and read about
Theaters were disreputable– Banned from London – Built outside city limits (across the Thames River)– Southwark (Red-light district)
Prostitutes, charlatans, actors
Women prohibited from acting: immoral– Boys played female characters
The Globe• First Globe burned in 1613
Second Globe torn down by Puritans in 1644Circular outdoor theater – 100 feet acrossWooden “O”Stage 50x25, jutted out into audienceGroundlings – those who stood on the ground around the stage – paid the leastGalleries – seats that formed the walls of the theater – extra feeBox seats – cost even more3,000 attendeesMost money spent on costumes, not set
Understanding Shakespeare
Understanding his world helps to understand his plays
Will’s World
ThemesCentral themes are universal and
unchanging– Lust, greed, ambition, jealousy,
cowardice, loyalty, honor, love, pride, basic human emotions
Attitudes about royalty and birthright today are different, however.
Will’s World
Natural Order (theory)– Kings were kings; peasants were
peasants– Born into a class; married within
your class; lived your life by your class
– Might move up slightly if extremely successful
– Social position a consequence of birth
Will’s World
Natural Order, continuedIn practice, change did occur, but
large-scale changes invited disaster– Marriages were arranged– Marriages for politics, avoid war, not
for love
Will’s World
Natural Order, continued– If you mess around with Natural
Order, expect earthquakes, plagues, and storms (often an omen in plays)
– Kings were to act as kings; servants as servants
Will’s World
Natural Order (continued)– God– Angels– Mankind
Kings Princes Gentry Merchant (middle) Peasants Slaves
– Animals
Kings received their right to rule from God; to oppose the king was to oppose God.
Plays often centered around desire of dukes, earls, etc. not peasants (upset the natural order too much)
Will’s World
Titles of Nobility– King/Queen– Princes/Princess—children of
monarch– Duke/Duchess – next highest – Earl, Thane, Count/Countess – ruled
a county– Baron/Baroness - “Lord” or “Lady”– Knight – lowest member of
aristocracy
Will’s World
Nature versus nurture– Some behavior was inborn
Birth fixed your social status and your character traits
Bastards– People of noble birth acted nobly – People born illegitimately acted
illegitimately.
Religion– In the U.S., separation of church and state
– Back then, the two were not easily separated
integral role as background in Will’s plays– Shakespeare was born in a newly
protestant country that was rooted in Catholicism
– Shakespeare buried in a church, rare for actor
Will’s World
Will’s World Body and Mind
– Medicine was simplistic; believed in humors:
– Black bile; phlegm; blood, yellow bile Good health required a balance of the
four Imbalance of the four dictated one’s
personality– Melancholic, phlegmatic (lethargic),
sanguine (Jovial), or choleric (angry).
“He’s in a bad humor.” Astrology was a part of everyday life
– People believed the stars controlled their lives.
Will’s World
Racial Prejudice– Not politically correct– Jews, blacks, anyone else who did
not fit the English mold faced discrimination
– Shakespeare grew up in this environment
– Plays reflect the society
Shakespeare’s Play Structure
Five Acts– First act: introduces the characters
and sets up the story– Second act: expands the story– Third act: pivotal act. – Fourth act: action unfolds; plans
collide– Fifth Act: brings all the pieces
together; heroes learn their lesson
Shakespeare’s Language
English
Old English– Anglo/Saxon; German influence– Beowulf
Old English5th – 11th Centuries
Hwät! we Gâr-Dena in geâr-dagumþeód-cyninga þrym gefrunon,hû þâ äðelingas ellen fremedon.Oft Scyld Scêfing sceaðena þreátum.
From Beowulf
Old English5th – 11th Centuries
Lo! the Spear-Danes' glory through splendid achievements. The folk-kings' former fame we have heard of, How princes displayed then their prowess-in-battle. Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers
Middle English
Middle English– French influence– William the Conqueror/Battle of
Hastings in 1066– The Canterbury Tales
Middle English11th – 15th Centuries
Ye seken lond and see for your wynnynges, As wise folk ye knowen all th'estaat Of regnes; ye been fadres of tydynges And tales, bothe of pees and of debaat.
(The Man of Law's Tale)
Middle English11th – 15th Centuries
You seek land and sea for your winnings,As wise folk you know all the estateOf kingdoms; you be fathers of tidings,And tales, both of peace and of debate.
Early Modern English
Modern English– Shakespeare’s English is considered
Modern but it is still older than today’s version
– King James version of the Bible
Languages Change
Languages change over time– Word order can be different Only his gift is in devising impossible slanders
His only gift is in devising impossible slanders
– Words come in/out of usethou; ye; thine
– Word meaning changes
Formal vs. Familiar
Three different ways to say “you”– You– Thou– Ye
How these words are used tells us about the character and relationship
Formal vs. Familiar
Thou – informal, used among friends, to address children or servants, God
– (think Bible: written for the commoner)– Thou/thee
Dost thou knoweth who speaketh to thee? Do you know who speaks to you?
You – formal, to address a stranger, or someone of higher station
Ye – plural form (you all; y’all)
Formal vs. Familiar
Thy & thine are possessives of thou– Thy before consonants: Thy book– Thine before vowels: Thine apple
Lovers and friends use thou Thee : used in the objective case
– I gave the book to thee.
Verbs
Thou art: you are Thou hast: you have
– With thou you add a t, st ,or est to the verb
– Thou shalt, thou canst, thou dost, thou knowest, thou wilt
Shakespeare mixes his verbs: – Ist/is; hath/has
Sometime you have to add eth: knoweth
Contractions
Is’t is it ‘t it ‘tis it is o’er over e’er ever ne’er never Alter’d altered read the same
Common Words
A: he An, and: if Anon: soon Brave: courageous, but also splendid Conceit: thought Cousin, coz: relative or close friend Cuckold: husband of an unfaithful wife Cur: dog Fain: gladly Forsooth: truth
Common Words
Gaol: jail Hap; haply: perhaps Hence: away from here Hither: here Mistress: can be applied to any woman Sirrah: addresses a man or boy of low station Tarry: wait Thence: away from here Troth: faith Welkin: sky Wench: girl or young woman Wherefore: why Whither: “where to?”
Playing with Words
Puns– double meanings
Malapropisms– Using words incorrectly
Slapstick– Physical humor
Comic Interludes– Funny moments/scenes
Bawdiness– Dirty but not filthy (coarse)
Innuendo– Subtle jokes with a sexual connotation