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William Shakespeare Born 1564, Stratford-upon-avon, England
Attended a free grammar school, did not attend university
Married a Pregnant Anne Hathaway, eight years his elder, in 1582
2 Daughters; younger, Hamnet, died of unknown causes
Shakespeare’s theatre
Moved to London 1588
Became actor and playwright for Lord Chamberlain’s Men theatre company
In 1599 became part owner of the Globe Theater
Queen Elizabeth I, queen of England, greatly enjoyed the theatre and Shakespeare’s troupe would perform for her often.
The Globe Theatre A three-story wooden building that held up
to 3000 theatergoers
The center was an open courtyard with a platform stage
http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/about-us/virtual-tour
Shakespeare’s Legacy
Throughout his life, Shakespeare is credited for having written 154 sonnets, 10 tragedies, 10 histories, and 17 comedies.
Many claim that Shakespeare copied much of his work, though it has never been proven.
3 Play Types
Tragedy--a play that traces the main character’s downfall
Comedy--a play that ends happily and that usually contains many humorous elements
History--a play that chronicles the life of an English monarch
the tragic hero
Protagonist, usually of importance or high rank
Displays a tragic flaw Flaw leads to
downfall
Shakespeare’s Style
Play dialogue is mostly poetry
Generally written in blank verse, or unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter
Iambic pentameter:
fixed pattern of rhythm, or meter, in which most lines contain five unstressed syllables each followed by a stressed syllable
Iambic pentameter example From Julius Caesar
Act I, Scene ii
u / u / u / u / u /
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look;
u / u / u / u / u /
He thinks too much, such men are dangerous.
Soliloquy/aside
Soliloquy: a long speech given by a character while alone on stage to reveal his or her private thoughts or intentions
Aside: a character’s quiet remark to the audience or another character that no one else on stage is supposed to hear
life
Born 100/102 BCE
According to legend, Caesar was born by caesarean section--thus that is the origin of that term
Child of Aurelia & Gaius Caesar--neither rich nor influential during this period, but had noble roots
The General
Roman general and politician who conquered most of gaul--a land that covered most of present day France and Belgium
Eloquent, arrogant leader, known for military bravery and ruthlessness
Ambitious; senate became increasingly nervous of his power
Caesar’s Rise to Power
Civil War
While in Rome, Caesar fought a civil war against his former friend and ally, Pompey.
The battles spread as far as Egypt, ending with Caesar’s victory in 46 BC.
The Downfall of Julius Caesar
• Caesar was very self-centered. Some say he tried to make himself a living god.
• coins with his picture on them
• held many celebrations for his victories
• allowed his statues to be decorated like those of the gods
• wore the laurel headpiece and purple toga
Caesar’s death
On March 15, 44 BC, Caesar attended his last senate meeting
60 conspirators led by Marcus Brutus, and Gaius Cassius came with daggers concealed in their togas
The men struck Caesar at least 23 times as he stood at the base of pompey’s statue.
And so it begins…
Opens in 44 BC with Caesar a general and ruler of the roman republic
Celebration of his military victory over Pompey
leaders are troubled by his power and the possibility of his dictatorship
Key Characters Julius Caesar – great, power-hungry Roman general and senator
seduced by people’s idolization of him
Brutus - Loves Caesar, but fears his rise in power for sake of Rome
Cassius – shrewd, sly general who dislikes that Caesar has become godlike in eyes of public
Casca – public figure opposed to Caesar’s rise in power
Antony – friend of Caesar; masterful orator; stirs crowd to revolt against conspirators
Octavius – Caesar’s adopted son and successor
Calpurnia – Caesar’s superstitious wife
Portia – Brutus’ wife and confidante