7 minute write7 minute write
What would it be like to live during What would it be like to live during Victorian times? To know or be Victorian times? To know or be Shakespeare?Shakespeare?
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Who was William Who was William Shakespeare?Shakespeare?
An English playwright and poetAn English playwright and poetLived in the late 1500s and early Lived in the late 1500s and early
1600s1600sHis plays are now performed all over His plays are now performed all over
the world in hundreds of languages.the world in hundreds of languages.He is known as one of the greatest He is known as one of the greatest
writers of all time.writers of all time.
Why is his work so popular?Why is his work so popular?
Shakespeare wrote about human Shakespeare wrote about human nature and how people behave.nature and how people behave.
Although his words can be hard to Although his words can be hard to understand, his ideas are as relevant understand, his ideas are as relevant now as they were four centuries ago.now as they were four centuries ago.
Shakespeare’s WorksShakespeare’s Works
At least two of his plays have been At least two of his plays have been lost, but 38 survive.lost, but 38 survive.
Two of these, Henry VIII and The Two Two of these, Henry VIII and The Two Noble Kinsmen, were co-written with Noble Kinsmen, were co-written with John Fletcher.John Fletcher.
The other 36 are divided into The other 36 are divided into comedies, tragedies and histories.comedies, tragedies and histories.
Shakespeare’s WorksShakespeare’s Works
No one knows exactly when each of No one knows exactly when each of his works was written; there are his works was written; there are approximate dates.approximate dates.
Some experts have even said that Some experts have even said that “Shakespeare’s” plays are really the “Shakespeare’s” plays are really the work of other writers.work of other writers.This may be because some people cannot This may be because some people cannot
believe that Shakespeare, who came from believe that Shakespeare, who came from an ordinary background, could have an ordinary background, could have written such great works of literature.written such great works of literature.
Performing Performing ShakespeareShakespeareWhenever a new Whenever a new
production of a Shakespeare production of a Shakespeare play is staged, directors, play is staged, directors, designers and actors think of designers and actors think of new interpretations, or ways new interpretations, or ways to understand and present it.to understand and present it.
Plays can be performed Plays can be performed in modern dress, or set in any in modern dress, or set in any historical periodhistorical period
Directors sometimes cut Directors sometimes cut or change the text of a play. or change the text of a play. The same scene can be funny, The same scene can be funny, frightening, or exciting, frightening, or exciting, depending on how the stage depending on how the stage is set and how the actors say is set and how the actors say the words.the words.
Shakespeare’s LanguageShakespeare’s Language
The way people spoke 400 years ago The way people spoke 400 years ago was different from the way we speak was different from the way we speak now, and Shakespeare’s language now, and Shakespeare’s language can be hard to understand.can be hard to understand.
Most editions of his works help by Most editions of his works help by providing notes which explain the providing notes which explain the meanings of words and phrases.meanings of words and phrases.
Elizabethan BeliefsElizabethan Beliefs
Life in Elizabethan Life in Elizabethan England could be cruel England could be cruel and hard. The poor and hard. The poor often went hungry, often went hungry, disease was disease was widespread, medical widespread, medical remedies often felt remedies often felt more like tortures, and more like tortures, and many women died in many women died in childbirth. But through childbirth. But through their beliefs, people their beliefs, people found ways of making found ways of making sense of their existence.sense of their existence.
Elizabethan BeliefsElizabethan Beliefs ReligionReligion
People were, in general, much more People were, in general, much more religious than people today.religious than people today.
Almost everyone believed in God and Almost everyone believed in God and expected to go to heaven or hell after death.expected to go to heaven or hell after death.
At this time, England was a Protestant country At this time, England was a Protestant country – it had broken away from the Catholic – it had broken away from the Catholic Church of Rome. This was part of the Church of Rome. This was part of the European movement called the Reformation, European movement called the Reformation, which began with attacks on corruption in which began with attacks on corruption in the Catholic Church.the Catholic Church.
Elizabethan BeliefsElizabethan Beliefs
The Chain of BeingThe Chain of Being A concept inherited from the Middle AgesA concept inherited from the Middle Ages An attempt to give order, or “degree”, to the An attempt to give order, or “degree”, to the
vastness of creation.vastness of creation. God created everything in a strict hierarchy, or God created everything in a strict hierarchy, or
chain, that stretched from God himself down to chain, that stretched from God himself down to the lowest things in existence.the lowest things in existence.
Humans occupied a place in the chain below Humans occupied a place in the chain below the angels but above animals, plants and the angels but above animals, plants and stones. Some humans were higher in the chain stones. Some humans were higher in the chain than others.than others.
Elizabethan BeliefsElizabethan Beliefs
The Chain of Being, cont.The Chain of Being, cont.The monarch was the highestThe monarch was the highestNobles and churchmen belowNobles and churchmen belowGentlemenGentlemenCommonersCommonersAll women were considered to be All women were considered to be
inferior to men, with the obvious inferior to men, with the obvious exception of Elizabeth I.exception of Elizabeth I.
Elizabethan BeliefsElizabethan Beliefs
Chain of Being, cont.Chain of Being, cont. Accepting one’s place in Accepting one’s place in
the chain was a duty the chain was a duty that would be rewarded that would be rewarded by God in heaven.by God in heaven.
Disrupting the chain was Disrupting the chain was thought to lead to thought to lead to chaos, but of course chaos, but of course many people still did many people still did challenge their position challenge their position in society.in society.
Elizabethan BeliefsElizabethan Beliefs
Myths and MagicMyths and MagicFairies, magic, witches, spells and Fairies, magic, witches, spells and
prophecies all formed part of their view prophecies all formed part of their view of life.of life.
Folklore and superstition were often as Folklore and superstition were often as important to people as the official important to people as the official religious beliefs taught by the Church.religious beliefs taught by the Church.
Elizabethan BeliefsElizabethan Beliefs
Myths and Magic, cont.Myths and Magic, cont.Many Elizabethans thought that fairies, Many Elizabethans thought that fairies,
goblins and sprites came out at night to goblins and sprites came out at night to play tricks on innocent people.play tricks on innocent people.
It was believed they could make people It was believed they could make people go insane, give them terrible go insane, give them terrible nightmares, or even lure them into a nightmares, or even lure them into a devilish underworld.devilish underworld.
Elizabethan BeliefsElizabethan Beliefs
Myths and Magic, cont.Myths and Magic, cont. Diseases and disasters were often Diseases and disasters were often
blamed on witchesblamed on witchesMany women who didn’t fit into Many women who didn’t fit into
society were branded as witches and society were branded as witches and accused of working for the devil.accused of working for the devil.
Astrology – the belief that the position Astrology – the belief that the position and movement of the stars can foretell and movement of the stars can foretell and influence events on Earth - was and influence events on Earth - was more important than it is today.more important than it is today.
Elizabethan BeliefsElizabethan Beliefs
Little and LargeLittle and LargeThe human body was thought to be a The human body was thought to be a
miniature representation of the universe miniature representation of the universe as a whole – a microcosm.as a whole – a microcosm.Various parts of the body were linked to the Various parts of the body were linked to the
planets and signs of the zodiacplanets and signs of the zodiac
Elizabethan BeliefsElizabethan Beliefs
Little and Large, cont.Little and Large, cont. The body was thought to contain The body was thought to contain
four “humours” or fluids – black bile, four “humours” or fluids – black bile, phlegm, blood and choler.phlegm, blood and choler.
A person’s temperament depended on A person’s temperament depended on the way the humours were mixed.the way the humours were mixed.
Most people were thought to have one Most people were thought to have one humour that was more dominant than humour that was more dominant than the others.the others.
Illnesses and mental disorders were Illnesses and mental disorders were blamed on an imbalance of the blamed on an imbalance of the humours. humours.
Elizabethan TheatreElizabethan Theatre
Until the mid-16Until the mid-16thth century, most plays century, most plays were performed outside London.were performed outside London.Craftsmen or tradespeople put on Craftsmen or tradespeople put on
traditional plays and on village greenstraditional plays and on village greensAs it grew in size and importance, As it grew in size and importance,
London became the center of English London became the center of English theatre.theatre.
While hugely popular, it was not, at first, While hugely popular, it was not, at first, considered a very respectable pastime; considered a very respectable pastime; most of the theatres were in the rougher most of the theatres were in the rougher parts of town.parts of town.
Elizabethan TheatreElizabethan Theatre
The first London theatre was called The The first London theatre was called The Theatre, built in 1576.Theatre, built in 1576.
The Rose – 1587The Rose – 1587 The Swan – 1595The Swan – 1595
All were deliberately built outside the City All were deliberately built outside the City limits, so they were free from the restrictions limits, so they were free from the restrictions of City regulations.of City regulations.
Queen Elizabeth I loved the theatre and often Queen Elizabeth I loved the theatre and often held performances of plays at her court.held performances of plays at her court.
Elizabethan TheatreElizabethan Theatre
In London, plays were In London, plays were put on by theatre put on by theatre companiescompanies By law, a company had By law, a company had
to have a patron – to to have a patron – to support it financially. support it financially. The company was The company was named after its patron.named after its patron.
Shakespeare spent Shakespeare spent much of his career with much of his career with a company called a company called Chamberlain’s Men.Chamberlain’s Men.
Elizabethan TheatreElizabethan Theatre
The audienceThe audience It was an entertainment for everyone, like It was an entertainment for everyone, like
movies today.movies today. The cheapest tickets cost a penny, which most The cheapest tickets cost a penny, which most
ordinary people could afford.ordinary people could afford. Because of the crowds, theatres were popular Because of the crowds, theatres were popular
with thieves and pickpockets.with thieves and pickpockets. People jeered at the actors and shouted out People jeered at the actors and shouted out
rude remarksrude remarks Some even climbed onto the stage and joined Some even climbed onto the stage and joined
in with swordfights.in with swordfights. People also brought food with them to eat People also brought food with them to eat
during the performance, or to throw at bad during the performance, or to throw at bad actors.actors.
Elizabethan TheatreElizabethan Theatre
StagecraftStagecraftSpecial effects and scenery did not play Special effects and scenery did not play
a big part in Elizabethan theatre.a big part in Elizabethan theatre.Musicians provided sound effects with Musicians provided sound effects with
drums and trumpets.drums and trumpets.Actors often wore extravagant, showy Actors often wore extravagant, showy
costumes.costumes.Audiences were expected to use their Audiences were expected to use their
imaginations for different locations and imaginations for different locations and backgrounds.backgrounds.
Elizabethan TheatreElizabethan Theatre
Plague and PlayersPlague and Players Theatre were closed during severe outbreaks Theatre were closed during severe outbreaks
of plague – they thought it spread more quickly of plague – they thought it spread more quickly in crowdsin crowds
Many companies left London for tours of the Many companies left London for tours of the countryside.countryside.
Players often had to sell their costumes and Players often had to sell their costumes and scripts in order to survive.scripts in order to survive.
Some Puritans believed that plague was sent Some Puritans believed that plague was sent by God as a punishment for the wickedness of by God as a punishment for the wickedness of theatre-going.theatre-going.
Elizabethan TheatreElizabethan Theatre
Shakespeare’s PlayersShakespeare’s Players He is thought to have joined the theatre as an He is thought to have joined the theatre as an
actor and become a writer later.actor and become a writer later. It was normal for actors to help write plays or change It was normal for actors to help write plays or change
them a lot during rehearsal.them a lot during rehearsal.
Actors often specialized in one type of part – tragic Actors often specialized in one type of part – tragic hero, clown, etc.hero, clown, etc.
There were no actresses. Women’s roles were played There were no actresses. Women’s roles were played by boys. Women did not act on stage until the by boys. Women did not act on stage until the Restoration. (1660s)Restoration. (1660s)
The Globe TheatreThe Globe Theatre From 1599 onwards, Shakespeare’s plays were From 1599 onwards, Shakespeare’s plays were
usually performed at the Globe, a huge, open-air, usually performed at the Globe, a huge, open-air, circular theatre.circular theatre.
It could hold 3000 people, and there were two It could hold 3000 people, and there were two performances a day.performances a day.
Along with other members of his theatre Along with other members of his theatre company, Chamberlain’s Men, Shakespeare company, Chamberlain’s Men, Shakespeare owned a share in the Globe and made a lot of owned a share in the Globe and made a lot of money from it.money from it.
Shakespeare’s writing may sometimes reflect the Shakespeare’s writing may sometimes reflect the design of the theatre. Some of the lines in his design of the theatre. Some of the lines in his plays have three parts, or a word repeated three plays have three parts, or a word repeated three times. At the Globe, this allowed an actor to times. At the Globe, this allowed an actor to address the audience on all three sides of the address the audience on all three sides of the thrust stage.thrust stage.
What kind of plays?What kind of plays?
During Shakespeare’s career, During Shakespeare’s career, fashions and tastes in drama fashions and tastes in drama changed.changed.He wrote mostly comedies and history He wrote mostly comedies and history
plays during the Elizabethan period – plays during the Elizabethan period – 1558-16031558-1603
Tragedies and tragicomedies during the Tragedies and tragicomedies during the reign of King James – 1603-1625reign of King James – 1603-1625
What Kind of Plays?What Kind of Plays?
TragedyTragedy Ends in the death of Ends in the death of
one or more of the one or more of the main characters.main characters.
Most of his Most of his tragedies involve tragedies involve historical historical individuals and individuals and eventsevents
What Kind of Plays?What Kind of Plays?
ComedyComedy Usually has a happy endingUsually has a happy ending Can also include jokes, farce Can also include jokes, farce
and innuendoand innuendo His are usually love storiesHis are usually love stories Settings are far away from Settings are far away from
EnglandEngland
What Kind of Plays?What Kind of Plays?
TragicomedyTragicomedy A mixture of tragedy and A mixture of tragedy and
comedycomedy Seems to move toward a Seems to move toward a
tragic ending but a twist in tragic ending but a twist in the plot saves the the plot saves the characters.characters.
What Kind of Plays?What Kind of Plays?
History playsHistory plays Usually tell the stories Usually tell the stories
of great leaders and of great leaders and kingskings
He sometimes altered He sometimes altered what he found in the what he found in the history books to suit history books to suit his own dramatic his own dramatic purposes and make purposes and make the plays more the plays more exciting.exciting.
TragediesTragedies
Shakespeare’s most famous and Shakespeare’s most famous and popular playspopular playsRomeo and Juliet; Macbeth; Hamlet; Romeo and Juliet; Macbeth; Hamlet;
Othello; King Lear; Julius CaesarOthello; King Lear; Julius Caesar
Tragic HeroTragic Hero
Often a man of high rank, such as a king Often a man of high rank, such as a king or princeor prince
Creates, or is put into, a difficult situation Creates, or is put into, a difficult situation which he must try to resolve.which he must try to resolve. A combination of bad luck and bad decisions A combination of bad luck and bad decisions
lead to his death.lead to his death.
Often a relatively sympathetic figure. His Often a relatively sympathetic figure. His soliloquies show his feelings and motives, and soliloquies show his feelings and motives, and show the audience how easy it would be to show the audience how easy it would be to make similar mistakes.make similar mistakes.
Doom and DestinyDoom and Destiny
Many people believed in fate, or Many people believed in fate, or destiny, and in the power of the stars destiny, and in the power of the stars to foretell the future.to foretell the future.
Shakespeare uses the idea of fate or Shakespeare uses the idea of fate or destiny to add excitement and destiny to add excitement and anticipation to the tragediesanticipation to the tragediesUses a prophecy as a way of holding the Uses a prophecy as a way of holding the
audience’s interest, because everyone audience’s interest, because everyone wants to see if it will be fulfilled.wants to see if it will be fulfilled.
Tragic EndingsTragic Endings
Tragedies give a very bleak view of the world.Tragedies give a very bleak view of the world. At the end, the hero, and usually several other At the end, the hero, and usually several other
characters, are dead, and the survivors are left to characters, are dead, and the survivors are left to start again without them.start again without them.
Although most tragic heroes are partly to blame Although most tragic heroes are partly to blame for their own fates, death can be a very high price for their own fates, death can be a very high price to pay for what may have seemed initially like a to pay for what may have seemed initially like a small failing.small failing.
In most tragedies, there is also a feeling that some In most tragedies, there is also a feeling that some good may have come out of the terrible suffering.good may have come out of the terrible suffering. At the end of Romeo and Juliet, because the families’ At the end of Romeo and Juliet, because the families’
fighting has partly caused the tragedy, they finally fighting has partly caused the tragedy, they finally resolve to end their feud.resolve to end their feud.
The Roman TragediesThe Roman Tragedies Julius Caesar, Antony and CleopatraJulius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra and and
CoriolanusCoriolanus: deal with political power: deal with political power The hero is a state leader who has a The hero is a state leader who has a
responsibility to the people.responsibility to the people.Tragedy results when he fails to meet his Tragedy results when he fails to meet his
responsibilities.responsibilities.
These plays are not just about politics. They are These plays are not just about politics. They are full of personal emotions, dramatic power full of personal emotions, dramatic power struggles, and brilliant writing, including some of struggles, and brilliant writing, including some of the most famous writing in Shakespeare’s plays.the most famous writing in Shakespeare’s plays.
The Roman TragediesThe Roman TragediesTwo ThemesTwo Themes
Politics and Power – shows how hard it is to be a Politics and Power – shows how hard it is to be a political leader. The hero has power, but has a political leader. The hero has power, but has a weakness which makes him vulnerable to being weakness which makes him vulnerable to being attacked or overthrownattacked or overthrown
Love and Duty – people often have to make Love and Duty – people often have to make difficult choices between their emotions and their difficult choices between their emotions and their responsibilitiesresponsibilities
OthelloOthello
Duke of VeniceDuke of VeniceOthello: Moor, married to DesdomaOthello: Moor, married to Desdoma Iago: Solider in Othello’s armyIago: Solider in Othello’s armyCassio: Lieutenant in Othello’s armyCassio: Lieutenant in Othello’s armyDesdemona: Othello’s wifeDesdemona: Othello’s wifeEmilia: Iago’s wifeEmilia: Iago’s wifeRodreigo: Solider, love DesdemonaRodreigo: Solider, love Desdemona
GeographyGeography
OthelloOthello takes place in two takes place in two countries:countries:VeniceVeniceCyprusCyprus
The Republic of Venice existed The Republic of Venice existed from 727-1797.from 727-1797.It is located in present-day Italy.It is located in present-day Italy.
Types of PeopleTypes of People
VenetiansVenetiansMost are noblemen and women Most are noblemen and women
(Brabantio, Desdemona, Roderigo)(Brabantio, Desdemona, Roderigo)Also, there are the nobles’ Also, there are the nobles’
servants (Emilia)servants (Emilia)Some are soldiers (Othello, Cassio, Some are soldiers (Othello, Cassio,
Iago)Iago)Others are part of Venetian Others are part of Venetian
government (the Duke)government (the Duke)
Types of people con’tTypes of people con’t
MoorsMoorsBlack nomadic people of the Black nomadic people of the
northern shores of Africa, northern shores of Africa, originally the inhabitants of originally the inhabitants of MauretaniaMauretania
Converted to Islam in the 8Converted to Islam in the 8thth centurycentury
HMKHMK
Tonight…Tonight…Read Act I and II Read Act I and II
pages 906-952, pages 906-952, answer answer questions (2-3 questions (2-3 sent response) sent response) for both acts on for both acts on page 1012-1013page 1012-1013
HMK for 4/23HMK for 4/23Read Act III-V Read Act III-V
pages 952-1012, pages 952-1012, answer answer questions (2-3 questions (2-3 sent response) sent response) for both acts on for both acts on page 1012-1013page 1012-1013
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While watching take down notes on While watching take down notes on costume, behavior, scenery, people, costume, behavior, scenery, people, or beliefsor beliefs
Movie Link…Movie Link…