Introduction to William Shakespeare

1
Introduction to William Shakespeare

• English 102
• Ms. Kosari

2
Shakespeares Biography

• Born April 23 1564
• One of eight children
• 1582- married Anne Hathaway
• First child, Susanna, born in 1583
• 1585- twins born Hamnet and Judith.
• From 1585-1592 the history of Shakespeare goes
  blank
• Died April 23 1616

3
Shakespeare the Poet and Playwright

• Shakespeare 148 sonnets - popular to this day
• 37 plays written by 1612 comedies, tragedies,
  and histories

4
Shakespeare lived during the Elizabethan Period

• Queen Elizabeth at throne
• Wrote plays for the Queen
• Not considered serious literature
• Regarded as many people regard TV and movies
  today

5
So where do you wanna go hang out today?

• 21st century entertainment movies ball game

• 16th century entertainment plays

• Theatres closed down many times by officials,
  because of the raucous

6
The Globe Theatre

• Built in 1598
• Burns down accidentally during a performance in
  1613
• Rebuilt immediately on original foundations
• This time the roof is tiled, not thatched

7
The Second Globe . . .

• 1642 Globe closed by the Puritans, as are all
  playhouses in London
• 1644 Globe pulled down to build tenements and its
  foundations are buried

8
The Rose and the Globe uncovered . . .

• In 1989 the remains of the two theatres are
  discovered
• In 1999 the New Globe is built. . .

9
The New Globe
10
Here is a view of the inside of the new Globe
Theatre in London.
11
The stage of the New Globe Theatre
12
The Actors No Women!

• Women not allowed to perform in plays
• Young boys, aged 14 played womens roles
• It was believable!
• Heavy layered dresses, excessive white powder,
  and heavy blush
• Queen Elizabeth known to wear make-up one inch
  thick

13
Costumes No Togas!!

• Contemporary clothing styles rather than costumes
  which fit the historical context of the play
• For example, Julius Caesar

14
Actor in Henry V
15
Actors in the balcony

• Shakespeare often placed actors in areas other
  than the stage
• Three actors observe the King enter as if they
  are a part of the audience

16
The Audience

• 21st century find a seat quietly and wait for
  the play or feature to begin

• Thats not how it was during Shakespeares
  time. . .

17
The Elizabethan Audience

• The Elizabethan theater

• Ate and drank before and during performances

• Moved around freely

• Made new acquaintances

• Visited with friends

Audience two to three thousand people
18
Hooking the Audiences Attention

• Scenes written to catch the audiences attention
• Vigorous and flamboyant acting necessary to set
  the mood
• Remember no music, lighting, or scenery to
  create the mood

19
Step right up!Only a penny!

• In the original globe it only cost
• A penny to stand in the yard
• Two pennies to sit on the hard seats of the
  gallery
• And three pennies for . . .

20
The Gentlemen's Rooms

Rich patrons sat in these seats
The part of the middle gallery closest to the
stage
No crossing the crowded, smelly yard
excellent view of the stage
comfortable cushioned seats
21
Scenery, what scenery?

• No cheesy back drop scenery
• Simple stage props chairs or tables as needed
• Minimal pieces such as a few trees to suggest a
  forest, or a rock to suggest a river bank.

22
Its the 16th century, there are no lights!

• Plays attended during the day
• No way to light the stage effectively once the
  sun had set

23
Shakespeare is the most famous playwright of all
times . . .
He illustrates humanity
our flaws, beauty, relationships, love, hate,
jealousy, etc.
He plays with the English language
invented words and used puns, oxymorons, iambic
pentameter, personification, imagery, metaphors,
similes, etc.
He wrote plays for entertainment so. .
Dont become shocked if you find yourself
enjoying it!
24
Other Important Facts of the 16th century

• Bubonic plague
• 1/3 of Europes population killed

25
Life in the 1500s

• Homes
• June Weddings
• Thatched roofs
• Food
• Wake
• Graves