Shakespeare and his Times Shakespeare and his Times

Introductory NotesIntroductory Notes

Mrs. NeelyMrs. Neely

The BardThe Bard

What do you know What do you know already about already about William William Shakespeare? Shakespeare?

Take a few moments Take a few moments and write down a and write down a list of the fact you list of the fact you know.know.

Shakespeare’s DayShakespeare’s Day

Social OrderSocial Order Comic ReliefComic Relief MusicMusic TombsTombs The BardThe Bard

Social OrderSocial Order

Royalty:Royalty:

Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses who could inherit the thronewho could inherit the throne

Nobility:Nobility:

Dukes, Earls, Barons a class whose Dukes, Earls, Barons a class whose rights and titles are passed on from rights and titles are passed on from one generation to another. one generation to another.

Social OrderSocial Order Gentry: Gentry:

People like the Capulet’s and Montague's, People like the Capulet’s and Montague's, who were of upper class birth, but whose who were of upper class birth, but whose titles were “courtesy” not hereditary.titles were “courtesy” not hereditary.

Yeomanry:Yeomanry:Landowners who might hold a low officeLandowners who might hold a low office

Villains:Villains:Peasants, who were beginning to earn Peasants, who were beginning to earn their own money. their own money.

Comic ReliefComic Relief

Is the inclusion of humorous scenes Is the inclusion of humorous scenes or characters in a serious drama. To or characters in a serious drama. To ease the building emotional intensity.ease the building emotional intensity.

Rely on slapstick or physical humor.Rely on slapstick or physical humor.

MusicMusic

Musical instruments were lacked the Musical instruments were lacked the volume of modern day instruments. volume of modern day instruments. Why?Why?

Instruments were stringed or pipedInstruments were stringed or piped

MusicMusic

What recent or not so recent songs What recent or not so recent songs have included the idea or mention of have included the idea or mention of Romeo and Juliet?Romeo and Juliet?

• ““Fire” by Bruce SpringsteenFire” by Bruce Springsteen• ““Just Like Romeo and Juliet” by Just Like Romeo and Juliet” by

ReflectionsReflections• Back in My Arms” by The SupremesBack in My Arms” by The Supremes

TombsTombs

Tombs are like little houses where, in Tombs are like little houses where, in earlier times, people with money laid earlier times, people with money laid out their dead. out their dead.

Built of stone or some other Built of stone or some other permanent material. Like?permanent material. Like?

The Bard &The Bard &His Globe TheaterHis Globe Theater

Southwark, on the Thames River in Southwark, on the Thames River in an area called Bankside.an area called Bankside.

Burned down in 1613 reopened 1614Burned down in 1613 reopened 1614 Closed by Puritans in 1642 and torn Closed by Puritans in 1642 and torn

down in 1644 for housing. down in 1644 for housing. Other Theater’s: The Swan, The Other Theater’s: The Swan, The

Rose, & The Hope.Rose, & The Hope.

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