Background Information and Introduction

Mr. McGowan/Ms. Judd – English 3

• In your notebooks, brainstorm and write down any information or prior knowledge that you have relating to William Shakespeare.

OBSOLETE WORDS• “aroint thee” (be

gone)• “runnion” (a gross

woman)• “anon” (right away)• “sewer” (a servant

who handles food)• “hautboy” (a type of

instrument)

WORDS WITH CHANGED MEANINGS• “composition” (peace)• “present” (immediate)• “choppy” (wrinkled)• “addition” (title or

rank)• “receipt” (bucket or

receptacle)

Consider these sentences:1. The dog bit the boy.2. The boy bit the dog.3. Bit the boy did the dog.4. The boy the dog bit.

What is the SUBJECT of each sentence? (who is doing the biting?)

What is the DIRECT OBJECT of each sentence (who is being bitten?)

1. Looking? Found someone you have I would say!

2. Help you I can. 3. Mudhole? Slimy? My home this is! 4. No, no. Stay and help you I will

find your friend. 5. Yes. Take you to him I will.

“My noble partner you greet with present grace and great prediction.” – Banquo, (Act I Scene 3 lines 57-58)

Translation: “You greet my noble partner with immediate grace and great prediction.”

Story of Shakespeare begins with Henry VIII (King of England, ruled 1509-1547)

Early in his rule, was married to Catherine of Aragon (daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain)

He divorces her, marries Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn gives birth to a daughter, named Elizabeth.

Henry wanted a son to take his place as king.

Anne had at least 2 miscarriages or stillbirths after the birth of Elizabeth.

Henry became impatient, set up Anne to be accused of adultery, and had her beheaded.

Henry had other wives and mistresses – finally, one wife (Jane Seymour) produced him a son – EDWARD.

Upon Henry VIII’s death in 1547, Edward became king, bypassing his older half-sisters.

However, Edward died at the age of 15

The throne passed first to half-sister Mary (Catholic – had lots of non-Catholics put to death.) “BLOODY MARY”

On death of Mary, her half-sister takes over the throne – becomes QUEEN ELIZABETH I.

Rules 1558-1603 (45 year reign)Considered to be a GOLDEN AGE OF ENGLISH CULTURE:

THE ELIZABETHAN ERA

Emphasis on culture- theater, poetry, literature

English military supremacy – naval victories over Spanish Armada

Plans to colonize newly-known Western Hemisphere

Medical superstition – little knowledge about germs or sickness

Explosion of population of London as well as disease (outbursts of plague)

Shakespeare is born into this Elizabethan world

Not much is known about his life, especially before he moved to London and became well-known.

Born 1564 in small town called Stratford-upon-Avon

Small town 100 miles north of London

It is believed that he was well-educated, especially in Greek and Latin tragedies and English history.

1582 – age 18, marries Anne Hathaway.

Has 3 children: Susanna, Judith, and Hamnet

By 1592, he had become well-known in London as an actor, playwright, and poet.

Belonged to a group called the LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S MEN

LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S MEN

• Traveling acting company, sponsored by Lord Chamberlain, an English nobleman

• Performed at royal events, private homes, universities, festivals

• Shakespeare was a writer, actor, and part-owner of the company.

Replica of Elizabethan-era theater stage

1599 – The Lord Chamberlain’s Men build themselves a permanent theater – THE GLOBE. - Has to be located across the river in the town of SOUTHWARK, not in the city of London

Why?

Due to lack of sanitary conditions, theaters were considered the source of wide spreading of plague.

Crowded – especially in front of stage• Open-air: known as “THE PIT”• SRO• One penny admission• “GROUNDLINGS”• Bathroom conditions

Class separation• Rich, royalty • Stage seating

No curtains or separations from audience

“BARE STAGE”• Establish setting through DIALOGUE

“This castle has a pleasant seat.” –Duncan (I:6.1) “What wood is this before us?” –Siward. “The

wood of Birnam.” –Menteith. (V:4.4-5)

Mountaintops, balcony scenes Trap door

Major difference: NO FEMALE ACTORS

Roles of women are played by young boys. (Improper for women to be on stage.)Therefore, these kinds of scenes were a problem and always drew laughs from the audience:

Romeo and Juliet

As You Like It

Hamlet (with Ophelia)

Queen Elizabeth dies in 1603 – ends Elizabethan period

Succeeded by her nephew, JAMES I • Son of Mary, Queen of Scots• Had already been JAMES VI of

Scotland• Unites kingdoms of England and

Scotland

Shakespeare’s plays written during the reign of King James are known as his JACOBEAN works.

King James was a fan of Lord Chamberlain’s Men and sponsored them.

Became known as the KING JAMES MEN.

Understandably, Shakespeare’s fame and popularity increased

OTHELLO - 1603

KING LEAR - 1606

MACBETH - 1606

Sometime around 1611, he retired to Stratford-upon-Avon as a wealthy man.

Died April 23, 1616 – age 52. Final tally: 38 plays, 154 sonnets,

several other poems as well

Bust of William Shakespeare at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon

HISTORY:The true story of an English king

COMEDY:Happy ending, usually wedding

TRAGEDY:Title character dies due to tragic flaw

EXAMPLES:

Richard IIRichard IIIHenry IV Part 1Henry IV Part 2Henry VHenry VI Parts 1, 2, 3Henry VIIIKing John

EXAMPLES:

The TempestMidsummer Night’s DreamLove’s Labour’s LostAs You Like ItThe Merchant of VeniceTwelfth Night

EXAMPLES:

King LearRomeo and JulietOthelloJulius CaesarMacbethHamletAntony and Cleopatra

Band of Brothers (Stephen Ambrose, HBO miniseries)

-Borrows heavily on themes from Henry V.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,Or close the wall up with our English dead!In peace there's nothing so becomes a manAs modest stillness and humility;But when the blast of war blows in our ears,Then imitate the action of the tiger:Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.Henry V(V:3.44-51)

And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,From this day to the ending of the world,But we in it shall be remember'd;We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;For he to-day that sheds his blood with meShall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,This day shall gentle his condition:And gentlemen in England now a-bedShall think themselves accursed they were not here,And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaksThat fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

(Henry V, V:3)

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

Adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew

She’s the Man (2006)

Based on Twelfth Night

West Side Story (1961)

Adaptation of Romeo and Juliet

ASIDE• Character whispers to another character or to

himself or herself• Cannot be heard by most (or all) other char’s

SOLILOQUY• Long speech by ONE character alone on stage• Heard only by audience• Innermost, TRUE thoughts of the character

IAMBIC PENTAMETER

•10 syllables in a line (5 feet – PENTA)•Alternating stressed and unstressed

“If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere wellIt were done quickly. If th’assassinationCould trammel up the consequence and catchWith his surcease success…..”

- Macbeth, (I:7.1-4)

First performed in 1606 – King James himself is in the audience• One of James’ ancestors is a character• How do you think that character will be

portrayed? Known as “the Scottish play”

• Considered to be cursed• Actor playing Lady Macbeth died on first

night• Cause thought be the CAULDRON SCENE

Scotland, roughly 1040• Almost 600 years before it was written

Civil war• Forces of KING DUNCAN

vs. The rebels MACDONWALD and the THANE OF CAWDOR

Macbeth and Banquo• Generals in the army of King Duncan

LADY MACBETH• Macbeth’s wife

MALCOLM and DONALBAIN• Sons of the king Duncan

FLEANCE• Son of Banquo

MACDUFF, LENNOX, ROSS, ANGUS• Noblemen of Scotland

LADY MACDUFF• Wife of Macduff

POWER

AMBITION

GENDER ROLES

DECEPTION

TRUST and LOYALTY GUILT and CONSEQUENCES FATE and DESTINY

BLOOD (Family, and the red stuff)

ANIMALS (especially nasty ones)

CLOTHING (especially clothes that don’t fit properly)

FAIR IS FOUL (Unnatural things)

"It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood"

“THE SCOTTISH PLAY”