Introduction to Introduction to ShakespeareShakespeare

William ShakespeareWilliam ShakespeareBorn 1564 in Stratford-on-Born 1564 in Stratford-on-

Avon, died 1616.Avon, died 1616.Actor, charter member of Actor, charter member of

Lord Chamberlain’s Men Lord Chamberlain’s Men later known as the King’s later known as the King’s Men. Men.

Playwright, wrote 37 Playwright, wrote 37 plays. plays.

Poet, wrote over 150 Poet, wrote over 150 sonnets.sonnets.

Shakespeare wrote:Shakespeare wrote:

Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy endinghappy ending

Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endingsTragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings

Histories – involve events or persons from historyHistories – involve events or persons from history

Types of PlaysTypes of Plays

• The Globe Theatre:The Globe Theatre:

• Open ceilingOpen ceiling

• Three stories highThree stories high

• No artificial lightingNo artificial lighting• Plays were shown Plays were shown

during daylight hours during daylight hours onlyonly

The TheatreThe Theatre

SpectatorsSpectators Wealthy people Wealthy people

got to sit on got to sit on benchesbenches

The poor (called The poor (called “groundlings”) had “groundlings”) had to stand and watch to stand and watch from the courtyardfrom the courtyard

There was much There was much more audience more audience participation than participation than todaytoday

ActorsActors Six to eight sharers and Six to eight sharers and

then an equal number of then an equal number of hired minor actors who hired minor actors who played all of the roles.played all of the roles.

Only men and boys.Only men and boys.

Young boys whose Young boys whose voices had not changed voices had not changed played the women’s played the women’s roles.roles.

It would have been It would have been indecentindecent for a woman to for a woman to appear on stage.appear on stage.

The Tragedy of Romeo and The Tragedy of Romeo and JulietJuliet

Based on a poem by Based on a poem by Arthur Brooke, “The Arthur Brooke, “The Tragicall Historye of Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet” Romeus and Juliet” which was based on which was based on older Italian stories.older Italian stories.

Tells the story of two Tells the story of two star-crossed lovers star-crossed lovers doomed to disaster by doomed to disaster by fate and their tragic fate and their tragic flaw of implusiveness.flaw of implusiveness.

The MontaguesThe MontaguesLord Montague – father of Romeo

Lady Montague – mother of Romeo

Romeo Montague – son

Benvolio – nephew of Montague and Romeo’s cousin

Balthasar – servant to Romeo

Abram – servant to Montague

The CapuletsThe CapuletsLord CapuletLord Capulet – father of Juliet – father of Juliet

Lady CapuletLady Capulet – mother of Juliet – mother of Juliet

Juliet CapuletJuliet Capulet – daughter – daughter

TybaltTybalt – nephew of Lady Capulet, Juliet’s – nephew of Lady Capulet, Juliet’s cousincousin

NurseNurse – takes care of Juliet – takes care of JulietSampsonSampson and and GregoryGregory-servants to Capulet-servants to Capulet

PeterPeter – servant to Juliet’s Nurse – servant to Juliet’s Nurse

An Old ManAn Old Man-servant-servant

RoyaltyRoyaltyPrince EscalusPrince Escalus – ruler of Verona – ruler of Verona

MercutioMercutio – kinsman of the Prince and friend – kinsman of the Prince and friend of Romeoof Romeo

Count ParisCount Paris – a young nobleman – a young nobleman

ClergyClergy

Friar LaurenceFriar Laurence – a Franciscan priest – a Franciscan priest

Friar JohnFriar John – another Franciscan priest – another Franciscan priest

OthersOthers An ApothocaryAn Apothocary- a druggist- a druggist

Page Page –to Paris–to Paris

Chief WatchmanChief Watchman

Three MusiciansThree Musicians

An OfficerAn Officer

Citizens of Verona, Relatives, Maskers, Citizens of Verona, Relatives, Maskers, Guards, Watchmen and AttendantsGuards, Watchmen and Attendants

Things to think about…Things to think about…

What would you do if your What would you do if your parents did not approve of parents did not approve of someone you were dating?someone you were dating?

How important is the opinion How important is the opinion of your family in decisions of your family in decisions that you make?that you make?

Does violence solve Does violence solve problems?problems?