William Shakespeare William Shakespeare

The Man, His Writing Style, His TheaterThe Man, His Writing Style, His Theater

Oh, and Romeo & Juliet, tooOh, and Romeo & Juliet, too

I. A little about Will…I. A little about Will…

Born April 23, 1564 (we Born April 23, 1564 (we thinkthink) ) Lived in Stratford-Upon-Avon, a small Lived in Stratford-Upon-Avon, a small

town NW of London town NW of London Attended school, studied Latin and Attended school, studied Latin and

literatureliteratureMarried Anne Hathaway at age 18 Married Anne Hathaway at age 18

(she was 26)(she was 26)Daughter born in 1583, twins (one of Daughter born in 1583, twins (one of

each) born in 1585each) born in 1585

More about Will…More about Will…

Was successful playwright in London Was successful playwright in London by 1592 by 1592

Wrote 37 plays Wrote 37 plays Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet written in 1594 written in 1594Owned part of the Globe Theater and Owned part of the Globe Theater and

The King’s Men acting troupe The King’s Men acting troupe Died April 23, 1616 (his birthday)Died April 23, 1616 (his birthday)Buried in Holy Trinity Church Buried in Holy Trinity Church

Shakespeare’s GraveShakespeare’s Grave

The slab over his grave reads: Good Friend, for Jesus’ sake forbearTo dig the dust enclosed here:Blessed be the man that spares these stones,And curst be he that moves my bones.

So why do we bother reading So why do we bother reading him?him?

Huge contribution to the English Huge contribution to the English language language His vocabulary was 30,000 words His vocabulary was 30,000 words

(average person is 15,000 words) (average person is 15,000 words) 1/10 of the words he used had never 1/10 of the words he used had never

been used before – this means he gave us been used before – this means he gave us 3,000 words! 3,000 words!

Popular culture – his plays are Popular culture – his plays are constantly turned into movies = constantly turned into movies = $$$$$$

Universal themes & rich characters Universal themes & rich characters that still work today that still work today

So what are some words he So what are some words he gave us?gave us?academeacademe accusedaccused addictionaddiction advertisingadvertising amazementamazement

arousearouse assassinationassassination backingbacking banditbandit bedroombedroom

beachedbeached besmirchbesmirch birthplacebirthplace blanketblanket bloodstainedbloodstained

barefacedbarefaced blushingblushing betbet bumpbump buzzerbuzzer

cakedcaked catercater championchampion circumstantialcircumstantial cold-bloodedcold-blooded

compromisecompromise courtshipcourtship countlesscountless CriticalCritical dauntlessdauntless

dawndawn deafeningdeafening discontentdiscontent disheartendishearten druggeddrugged

dwindledwindle epilepticepileptic equivocalequivocal elbowelbow excitementexcitement

exposureexposure eyeballeyeball fashionablefashionable fixturefixture flawedflawed

frugalfrugal generousgenerous gloomygloomy gossipgossip green-eyedgreen-eyed

gustgust hinthint hobnobhobnob hurriedhurried impedeimpede

laughablelaughable lonelylonely lowerlower luggageluggage lustrouslustrous

madcapmadcap majesticmajestic marketablemarketable metamorphizemetamorphize mimicmimic

monumentalmonumental moonbeammoonbeam mountaineermountaineer negotiatenegotiate noiselessnoiseless

obsceneobscene obsequiouslyobsequiously odeode olympianolympian outbreakoutbreak

panderspanders pedantpedant premeditatedpremeditated pukingpuking radianceradiance

rantrant remorselessremorseless savagerysavagery scufflescuffle securesecure

skim milkskim milk submergesubmerge summitsummit swaggerswagger torturetorture

tranquiltranquil undressundress unrealunreal variedvaried vaultingvaulting

worthlessworthless zanyzany         

Quoting ShakespeareQuoting Shakespeare If you’ve ever said any of the If you’ve ever said any of the

following, you speak Shakespeare following, you speak Shakespeare already:already:

Forever and a day (Forever and a day (As You Like ItAs You Like It))Flesh and blood, make your hair stand Flesh and blood, make your hair stand

on end (on end (HamletHamlet))The devil incarnate (The devil incarnate (Henry VHenry V))Dead as a doornail (Dead as a doornail (Henry VI))Charmed life (Charmed life (MacbethMacbeth) ) All that glitters is not gold (All that glitters is not gold (Merchant of Merchant of

VeniceVenice) )

The Epic PoemsThe Epic Poems

We know Shakespeare wrote twoWe know Shakespeare wrote twoThe Rape of Lucrece The Rape of Lucrece Venus and AdonisVenus and Adonis

Others exist, but their authorship is Others exist, but their authorship is in question in question

The SonnetsThe Sonnets

He wrote 154 of theseHe wrote 154 of theseNo titles; identified by number or the No titles; identified by number or the

first line first line Sonnets were THE way to express Sonnets were THE way to express

your love to your girl; young men your love to your girl; young men also wrote them to entertain each also wrote them to entertain each other. other.

The PlaysThe Plays

Histories Histories Plays about historical events Plays about historical events Richard IIRichard II, , Henry VIIIHenry VIII

Comedies Comedies Plays that have happy endingsPlays that have happy endingsTaming of the Shrew, As You Like It

Tragedies Plays that have unhappy endings Macbeth, Julius Caesar

Tragedy Tragedy

Drama where the central character/s Drama where the central character/s suffer disaster or great misfortune suffer disaster or great misfortune

Downfall may be the result ofDownfall may be the result ofFateFateFatal character flaw Fatal character flaw A combo of the two A combo of the two

II. Writing Style II. Writing Style

The Sonnets The Sonnets Follow very strict form Follow very strict form Fourteen linesFourteen linesThree quatrains Three quatrains One couplet One couplet Iambic pentameter Iambic pentameter Rhyme Scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GGRhyme Scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

Iambic PentameterIambic Pentameter

One unstressed syllable followed by One unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable a stressed syllable

Iamb = U / such as pretend, annoy Iamb = U / such as pretend, annoy When a line has 5 iambs, it is in When a line has 5 iambs, it is in

iambic pentameter iambic pentameter Penta = 5; meter = rhythmic unit Penta = 5; meter = rhythmic unit

But SOFT what LIGHT through But SOFT what LIGHT through YONder WINdow BREAKS? YONder WINdow BREAKS?

The SonnetsThe Sonnets

Three quatrains Three quatrains Qua = 4, so three groups of four lines Qua = 4, so three groups of four lines

each each Main idea introduced and expanded Main idea introduced and expanded

Couplet Couplet Two, a “couple” of lines Two, a “couple” of lines Signals a “turn” in the meaning of the Signals a “turn” in the meaning of the

poem poem

Sonnet 18

Look at rhyme scheme Look at rhyme scheme Watch the main idea developWatch the main idea developThe turn (couplet) at the end The turn (couplet) at the end

Romeo & Juliet Romeo & Juliet

Written in blank verseWritten in blank verseUnrhymed iambic pentameterUnrhymed iambic pentameter

Parts are written in prose Parts are written in prose Ordinary writing that is not poetry or Ordinary writing that is not poetry or

songsongCharacters of the lower social classes Characters of the lower social classes

spoke in prose in Shakespeare’s playsspoke in prose in Shakespeare’s playsWhy do you suppose that is? Why do you suppose that is?

Why is it so hard to read?Why is it so hard to read?

Gigantic vocabulary Gigantic vocabulary Weird syntax (word order) Weird syntax (word order)

We say: The cow jumped over the moon.We say: The cow jumped over the moon.He says: Over the moon jumped the cow. He says: Over the moon jumped the cow. We say: Why do you call for a sword?We say: Why do you call for a sword?He says: Why call you for a sword? He says: Why call you for a sword?

Words change in meaning over timeWords change in meaning over timeSoftSoft used to mean “wait a minute” used to mean “wait a minute”NiceNice used to mean “stupid” used to mean “stupid”

III. His Theater: The Globe III. His Theater: The Globe

Opened in 1599 Opened in 1599 Cost: 2 pennies to sit on a wooden Cost: 2 pennies to sit on a wooden

bench, 1 penny to stand on ground in bench, 1 penny to stand on ground in the pit the pit

Plays produced for the general public Plays produced for the general public Roofless, open air theater with no Roofless, open air theater with no

restrooms restrooms

Theater Design Theater Design

A flag would fly to signify A flag would fly to signify performances performances

Stage was raised so audience Stage was raised so audience members could not join in fight/battle members could not join in fight/battle scenes scenes

Trap door in bottom of stage – Trap door in bottom of stage – characters from hell. characters from hell.

Second level gallery, upper stage Second level gallery, upper stage (balcony scene in (balcony scene in R&JR&J) )

The Globe The Globe

Much Different from Today!Much Different from Today!

Plays could only be presented during Plays could only be presented during daylight hours – no lighting! daylight hours – no lighting!

No scenery No scenery Very elaborate costumes Very elaborate costumes Male actors only – even for female Male actors only – even for female

rolesrolesAudience members were active – Audience members were active –

yelling, throwing food on stage, etc. yelling, throwing food on stage, etc.

The Globe’s History The Globe’s History

Burned down in 1613 during a Burned down in 1613 during a performance of performance of Henry VIIIHenry VIII when a when a cannon fired and ignited the thatch cannon fired and ignited the thatch roof. It was burned to the ground in an roof. It was burned to the ground in an hour. hour.

Was rebuilt with a tile roof. Was rebuilt with a tile roof. The Puritans closed all theaters in 1642The Puritans closed all theaters in 1642Globe was torn down in 1644. Globe was torn down in 1644. Has been rebuilt in London and you Has been rebuilt in London and you

can see performances there today.can see performances there today.

Acting ProfessionActing Profession

Repertory theater Repertory theater Several plays running at the same timeSeveral plays running at the same timeActors had to know more than one part Actors had to know more than one part

Several skills required Several skills required SingingSingingPlaying instrumentsPlaying instrumentsDancing Dancing Fencing Fencing

Theater Terminology Theater Terminology

Pit – uncovered courtyard in front of Pit – uncovered courtyard in front of the stage the stage

Groundlings – people who paid 1 Groundlings – people who paid 1 penny to stand in the pit and watch penny to stand in the pit and watch the play the play

Galleries – areas of seating for wealthyGalleries – areas of seating for wealthyTiring House – area behind stage used Tiring House – area behind stage used

for dressing rooms and storage for dressing rooms and storage

IV. IV. Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet

One of Shakespeare’s most popular One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, along with plays, along with HamletHamlet and and Richard Richard IIIIII

Story came from a poem by Arthur Story came from a poem by Arthur Brooke titled “The Tragicall Historye Brooke titled “The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet”of Romeus and Juliet”First published in 1562, two years before First published in 1562, two years before

Shakespeare’s birth Shakespeare’s birth Reprinted in 1587Reprinted in 1587

Romeo & JulietRomeo & Juliet

Story also from Greek mythology – Story also from Greek mythology – Pyramus and Thisbe Pyramus and Thisbe “…“…they would have married, but their parents they would have married, but their parents

forbade it” (Humphries 83). forbade it” (Humphries 83). “…“…they would fool their guardians…come they would fool their guardians…come

outdoors, run away from home, and even leave outdoors, run away from home, and even leave the city” (83). the city” (83).

A lion scares Thisbe off and she drops her veil. A lion scares Thisbe off and she drops her veil. Pyramus, seeing the bloody veil, kills himself Pyramus, seeing the bloody veil, kills himself thinking Thisbe is dead. thinking Thisbe is dead.

So Thisbe “…fell forward on the blade, still So Thisbe “…fell forward on the blade, still warm and reeking with her lover’s blood” (86). warm and reeking with her lover’s blood” (86).

Romeo & Juliet Romeo & Juliet

Explores the effects of fate, secrecy, Explores the effects of fate, secrecy, revenge, tragedy and love at first sightrevenge, tragedy and love at first sight

THEMES (insight about life or human THEMES (insight about life or human nature):nature):There are forces in life over which people There are forces in life over which people

have no control (fate) have no control (fate) Even well intended deceptions and secrets Even well intended deceptions and secrets

can be destructivecan be destructiveRevenge can destroy the avenger and Revenge can destroy the avenger and

victimvictim

Dramatic Terms Dramatic Terms

You will need to know the following You will need to know the following terms before we begin our study of terms before we begin our study of the play:the play:

Flat character, comic relief, dramatic Flat character, comic relief, dramatic foil, pun, metaphorical language, foil, pun, metaphorical language, dramatic irony, situational irony, dramatic irony, situational irony, verbal irony, direct address, aside, verbal irony, direct address, aside, soliloquy, monologue. soliloquy, monologue.

Flat Character Flat Character

One dimensional, embodying a single One dimensional, embodying a single trait trait

Often used by Shakespeare in a Often used by Shakespeare in a tragedy to provide comic relief tragedy to provide comic relief

Comic Relief Comic Relief

Use of comedy in literature that is Use of comedy in literature that is NOT comedy to provide “relief” from NOT comedy to provide “relief” from the seriousness or sadness of the the seriousness or sadness of the story. story.

Creates an emotional rollercoaster Creates an emotional rollercoaster that deepens tragic feelings in that deepens tragic feelings in audience audience

Dramatic Foil Dramatic Foil

A character whose traits contrast A character whose traits contrast with and highlight those of another with and highlight those of another character character Benvolio to Tybalt Benvolio to Tybalt Look for other examples in the playLook for other examples in the play

Puns Puns

Humorous use of a word with two Humorous use of a word with two meanings meanings

Shakespeare loved to use these but Shakespeare loved to use these but we often miss them due to the we often miss them due to the Elizabethan language.Elizabethan language.

Metaphorical Language Metaphorical Language

Comparison of two unlike things to Comparison of two unlike things to describe one of those things describe one of those things ““Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal

bed I strew” Paris standing over Juliet’s bed I strew” Paris standing over Juliet’s “lifeless” body“lifeless” body

Dramatic Irony Dramatic Irony

A contradiction between what a A contradiction between what a character thinks and what the character thinks and what the reader/audience knows to be true reader/audience knows to be true We know Juliet is not really deadWe know Juliet is not really deadRomeo believes she is really dead Romeo believes she is really dead Dramatic irony is created when he sees Dramatic irony is created when he sees

her in the tomb and kills himself her in the tomb and kills himself

Situational Irony Situational Irony

An event occurs that directly An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the contradicts the expectations of the character, reader or audience character, reader or audience For example, a fire house burning down For example, a fire house burning down R&J do end up together forever, just not R&J do end up together forever, just not

alivealive

Verbal Irony Verbal Irony

Words are used to suggest the Words are used to suggest the opposite of what is meant opposite of what is meant In the Prologue the families are In the Prologue the families are

described as “Alike in dignity” but we described as “Alike in dignity” but we soon realize they do not behave with soon realize they do not behave with dignity; thus, they are similarly dignity; thus, they are similarly undignified undignified

Direct Address Direct Address

Words that tell the reader who is Words that tell the reader who is being addressed being addressed ““A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest

hit.” hit.” ““Ah, my mistresses, which of you all/Will Ah, my mistresses, which of you all/Will

now deny to dance?” now deny to dance?”

Aside Aside

Words spoken in an undertone, not Words spoken in an undertone, not intended to be heard by all intended to be heard by all characters characters

Used to let the audience in on the Used to let the audience in on the character’s thoughts in the moment character’s thoughts in the moment

Monologue Monologue

One person speaking on stage, One person speaking on stage, others may be present as wellothers may be present as well

Lengthy speech Lengthy speech Mercutio’s Queen Mab speechMercutio’s Queen Mab speechPrince of Verona commanding the Prince of Verona commanding the

families to cease feuding families to cease feuding

Soliloquy Soliloquy

Long speech expressing thoughts of Long speech expressing thoughts of a character a character

That character is alone on stage That character is alone on stage

The End!The End!

Keep these notes in your R&J Keep these notes in your R&J folder (formerly your short folder (formerly your short

story unit folder!) story unit folder!)

Quiz Time! Quiz Time!

Grab the CPS clicker assigned to you.Grab the CPS clicker assigned to you.Click in your answers for the Click in your answers for the

following questions.following questions.Yes, this is for a grade! Yes, this is for a grade!

1. Shakespeare was born in 1. Shakespeare was born in the United States.the United States.

A.A. TrueTrue

B.B. FalseFalse

2. Shakespeare was a 2. Shakespeare was a playwright, actor and poet. playwright, actor and poet.

A.A. TrueTrue

B.B. FalseFalse

3. Shakespeare lived during 3. Shakespeare lived during the 1700s.the 1700s.

A.A. TrueTrue

B.B. FalseFalse

4. Many women acted in 4. Many women acted in Shakespeare’s plays.Shakespeare’s plays.

A.A. TrueTrue

B.B. FalseFalse

5. Avon is the name of a 5. Avon is the name of a river.river.

A.A. TrueTrue

B.B. FalseFalse

6. Queen Elizabeth I ruled 6. Queen Elizabeth I ruled during Shakespeare’s during Shakespeare’s

lifetime.lifetime.A.A. TrueTrue

B.B. FalseFalse

7. Shakespeare wrote plays 7. Shakespeare wrote plays only for the noble and rich.only for the noble and rich.

A.A. TrueTrue

B.B. FalseFalse

8. Blank verse has a rhyme 8. Blank verse has a rhyme scheme.scheme.

A.A. TrueTrue

B.B. FalseFalse

9. Shakespeare died on his 9. Shakespeare died on his birthday.birthday.

A.A. TrueTrue

B.B. FalseFalse

10. A line of iambic 10. A line of iambic pentameter has five syllables.pentameter has five syllables.A.A. TrueTrue

B.B. FalseFalse

Shakespeare was part owner Shakespeare was part owner of the ________ Theater.of the ________ Theater.

A.A. King’s MenKing’s Men

B.B. GlobeGlobe

C.C. Elizabethan Elizabethan

People that paid a penny to People that paid a penny to stand and watch the plays stand and watch the plays

were called:were called:A.A. peasantspeasants

B.B. troupestroupes

C.C. groundlingsgroundlings

Which of the following is NOT Which of the following is NOT a Shakespeare play?a Shakespeare play?

A.A. Marc AntonyMarc Antony

B.B. Richard IIRichard II

C.C. Taming of the ShrewTaming of the Shrew

Shakespeare married ________ Shakespeare married ________ in 1582.in 1582.

A.A. His cousin His cousin

B.B. Anne HathawayAnne Hathaway

C.C. Anne Shakespeare Anne Shakespeare

How many plays did How many plays did Shakespeare write?Shakespeare write?

A.A. 1515

B.B. 3737

C.C. 137137

Shakespeare died in ________.Shakespeare died in ________.

A.A. 16161616

B.B. 15161516

C.C. 16561656

Shakespeare wrote in:Shakespeare wrote in:

A.A. hexameterhexameter

B.B. Dactylic pentameterDactylic pentameter

C.C. Iambic pentameter Iambic pentameter