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