Introduction to Shakespeare

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Introduction to Shakespeare
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Renaissance Era

• The peak of intellectual activity
• Emphasis on individuality and choice
• Renewed interest in science, commerce,
  philosophy, and the arts
• Began in 14th century peaked during Queens
  reign

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Old Willie

• Plays produced more often, in more countries than
  any other author
• Greatest playwright of all time
• 1564-1616
• Wife, daughter, twins
• Eventual owner of Globe Theater

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Elizabethan Age late 1500s

• Queen Elizabeth was the last member of Englands
  royal house
• Strong monarch

• Supporter of English culture
• She gave theater high esteem

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Lord Chamberlain

• Position of high office under the Queen
• Two men in this position sponsor the theater
• Shakespeare begins acting and writing for Lord
  Chamberlains Men
• Elizabeth attended productions

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Theater in Shakespeares Day

• London was center of Elizabethan stage
• London had more theaters than any other capital
• Attracting rich and poor, unlike other cities,
  created much success
• Held up to 3,000 spectators
• Picture our entire school in a theater
• Spectators cheered, booed, hissed, and
• threw rotten vegetables
• Props and sound effects drove play
• Improper for women to be on stage
• Men played the roles of women

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Old Willie the Word Ninja

• Contributed more to English language than any
  other writer
• Word musician -George Orwell

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Characteristics of Shakespearean Tragedy
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Tragic Hero

• Protagonist, or central character (good guy)
• Usually fails or dies because of character flaw
• High rank or status
• Shows strength while facing fate

This is Zorro. He was an awesome hero from long
ago. Youve probably never heard of him because
your generation has replaced real heroes with
dorks like Zac Efron.
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Antagonist

• Works against the protaganist (bad guy)
• Can be a character or force

Shakespeare bloated.
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Foil

• Character that contrasts with another
• The contrast highlights both characters traits
• Ex timid v. chatty
• Ex OCD v. slob

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• Speech given by character alone on stage
• Teachers do this (Now perhaps?)
• Lets audience know what character is thinking
• Helps audience connect, sympathize or empathize
  with character

Soliloquy
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Aside

• Characters remark to audience or another
  character that others on stage do not hear
• Reveals private thoughts

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Motif

• Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and
  literary devices that can help to develop and
  inform the texts major themes

Light and Dark
Love and Hate
Youth and Age
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Dramatic Irony

• Audience knows more than the characters
• Ex audience knows about RJs demise before they
  do
• Helps build suspense

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Some Language Terms to Know

• Some terms you are probably already familiar
  with
• Simile
• Metaphor
• Hyperbole
• Allusion
• Foreshadowing
• Symbolism
• Allusion

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Pun

• A humorous play on words

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Oxymoron

• When two words of opposite meaning are put
  together for effect.

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Comic Relief

• Serious Face?
• Laugh Hahahahahahahaha
• Serious Face ?
• A humorous scene lightens an intense mood
• Heightens seriousness by adding contrast

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The Tragedy of Romeo Juliet
Just FYI The entire story of Romeo Juliet
takes place within a timeframe of just four days!
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