William Shakespeare’s

Macbeth

William Shakespeare’s

MacbethElements of DramaElements of Drama

ShakespeareShakespeare 1564-1616 Stratford-on-Avon, England

wrote 37 plays about 154 sonnets started out as an actor

1564-1616 Stratford-on-Avon, England

wrote 37 plays about 154 sonnets started out as an actor

Stage CelebrityStage Celebrity Actor for Lord Chamberlain’s Men (London theater co.)

Also > principal playwright for them

1599> Lord Ch. Co. built Globe Theater where most of Sh. Play’s were performed

Actor for Lord Chamberlain’s Men (London theater co.)

Also > principal playwright for them

1599> Lord Ch. Co. built Globe Theater where most of Sh. Play’s were performed

Shakespeare wrote:

Shakespeare wrote:

ComediesHistoriesTragedies

ComediesHistoriesTragedies

The TheaterThe Theater Plays produced for the general public

Roofless>open air No artificial lighting Courtyard surrounded by 3 levels of galleries

Plays produced for the general public

Roofless>open air No artificial lighting Courtyard surrounded by 3 levels of galleries

SpectatorsSpectators Wealthy got benches “Groundlings”>poorer people stood and watched from the courtyard (“pit”)

All but wealthy were uneducated/illiterate

Much more interaction than today

Wealthy got benches “Groundlings”>poorer people stood and watched from the courtyard (“pit”)

All but wealthy were uneducated/illiterate

Much more interaction than today

Staging AreasStaging Areas

Stage>platform that extended into the pit

Dressing & storage rooms in galleries behind & above stage

second-level gallery> upper stage> famous balcony scene in R & J

Trap door>ghosts “Heavens”> angelic beings

Stage>platform that extended into the pit

Dressing & storage rooms in galleries behind & above stage

second-level gallery> upper stage> famous balcony scene in R & J

Trap door>ghosts “Heavens”> angelic beings

DifferencesDifferences No scenery Settings > references in dialogue

Elaborate costumes Plenty of props Fast-paced, colorful>2 hours!

No scenery Settings > references in dialogue

Elaborate costumes Plenty of props Fast-paced, colorful>2 hours!

ActorsActors Only men and boys Young boys whose voices had not changed play women’s roles

Would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage

Only men and boys Young boys whose voices had not changed play women’s roles

Would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage

Elizabethan (QE1) Words

Elizabethan (QE1) Words

An,and: If Anon: Soon Aye: Yes But: Except for E’en: Even E’er: Ever

An,and: If Anon: Soon Aye: Yes But: Except for E’en: Even E’er: Ever

QE1 Words (contin.)QE1 Words (contin.)

Haply: PerhapsHappy: FortunateHence: Away, from her

Hie: HurryMarry: Indeed

Haply: PerhapsHappy: FortunateHence: Away, from her

Hie: HurryMarry: Indeed

QE1 Words (contin.)QE1 Words (contin.)

Whence: WhereWilt: Will, will you

Withal: In addition to

Would: Wish

Whence: WhereWilt: Will, will you

Withal: In addition to

Would: Wish

Blank VerseBlank Verse Much of R & J is written in it:unrhymed verseiambic (unstressed, stressed)pentameter( 5 “feet” to a line)ends up to be 10 syllable lines

Much of R & J is written in it:unrhymed verseiambic (unstressed, stressed)pentameter( 5 “feet” to a line)ends up to be 10 syllable lines

ProseProseOrdinary writing that is not poetry, drama, or songOnly characters in the lower social classes speak this way in Shakespeare’s plays

Why do you suppose that is?

Ordinary writing that is not poetry, drama, or songOnly characters in the lower social classes speak this way in Shakespeare’s plays

Why do you suppose that is?

PlotPlotThe sequence of events in a literary work

The sequence of events in a literary work

ExpositionExpositionThe plot usually begins with this:introduces>>>>

settingcharactersbasic situation

The plot usually begins with this:introduces>>>>

settingcharactersbasic situation

Inciting MomentInciting MomentOften called “initial incident”the first bit of action that occurs which begins the plot

Romeo and Juliet “lock eyes” at the party

Often called “initial incident”the first bit of action that occurs which begins the plot

Romeo and Juliet “lock eyes” at the party

ConflictConflictThe struggle that developsman vs. manman vs. himselfman vs. societyman vs. nature

The struggle that developsman vs. manman vs. himselfman vs. societyman vs. nature

CrisisCrisisThe point where the protagonist’s situation will either get better or worseprotagonist>good guyantagonist>bad guy

The point where the protagonist’s situation will either get better or worseprotagonist>good guyantagonist>bad guy

ClimaxClimaxThe turning point of the story>everything begins to unravel from here Thus begins the falling action

The turning point of the story>everything begins to unravel from here Thus begins the falling action

ResolutionResolutionThe end of the central conflict

The end of the central conflict

DenouementDenouementThe final explanation or outcome of the plotIf this is included in literature, it will occur after the resolution.

The final explanation or outcome of the plotIf this is included in literature, it will occur after the resolution.

Tragedy (Shakespearean)

Tragedy (Shakespearean)

Drama where the central character/s suffer disaster/great misfortune In many tragedies, downfall results from>

FateCharacter flaw/Fatal flawCombination of the two

Drama where the central character/s suffer disaster/great misfortune In many tragedies, downfall results from>

FateCharacter flaw/Fatal flawCombination of the two

ThemeThemeCentral idea or >>

Insight about life which explain the downfall

Central idea or >>

Insight about life which explain the downfall

Metaphorical Language

Metaphorical Language

Comparison of unlike things > Paris standing over the “lifeless body” of Juliet, “Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew…”

“Thou detestable maw…”Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth…” Romeo

Comparison of unlike things > Paris standing over the “lifeless body” of Juliet, “Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew…”

“Thou detestable maw…”Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth…” Romeo

Dramatic FoilDramatic FoilA character whose purpose is to show off another characterBenvolio for Tybalt

look for others in R & J

A character whose purpose is to show off another characterBenvolio for Tybalt

look for others in R & J

Round characters

Round characters

Characters who have many personality traits, like real people.

Characters who have many personality traits, like real people.

Flat Characters

Flat Characters

One-dimensional, embodying only a single traitShakespeare often uses them to provide comic relief even in a tragedy

One-dimensional, embodying only a single traitShakespeare often uses them to provide comic relief even in a tragedy

Static Characters

Static Characters

Characters within a story who remain the same. They do not change. They do not change their minds, opinions or character.

Characters within a story who remain the same. They do not change. They do not change their minds, opinions or character.

Dynamic CharacterDynamic Character

Characters that change somehow during the course of the plot. They generally change for the better.

Characters that change somehow during the course of the plot. They generally change for the better.

MonologueMonologue One person speaking on stage > may be other character on stage tooex > the Prince of Verona commanding the Capulets and Montagues to cease feuding

One person speaking on stage > may be other character on stage tooex > the Prince of Verona commanding the Capulets and Montagues to cease feuding

SoliloquySoliloquyLong speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage. In R & J, Romeo gives a soliloquy after the servant has fled and Paris has died.

Long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage. In R & J, Romeo gives a soliloquy after the servant has fled and Paris has died.

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

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

PunPun Shakespeare loved to use them!!!Humorous use of a word with two meanings > sometimes missed by the reader because of Elizabethan language and sexual innuendo

Shakespeare loved to use them!!!Humorous use of a word with two meanings > sometimes missed by the reader because of Elizabethan language and sexual innuendo

Direct AddressDirect Address

Words that tell the reader who is being addressed:

“A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.”

“Ah, my mistresses, which of you all/ Will now deny to dance?”

Words that tell the reader who is being addressed:

“A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.”

“Ah, my mistresses, which of you all/ Will now deny to dance?”

Dramatic IronyDramatic IronyA contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader/audience knows to be true

A contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader/audience knows to be true

Verbal IronyVerbal IronyWords used to suggest the opposite of what is meant

Words used to suggest the opposite of what is meant

Situational Irony

Situational Irony

An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience

An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience

Comic ReliefComic Relief Use of comedy within literature that is NOT comedy to provide “relief” from seriousness or sadness.

In R & J, look for moments of comic relief that help “relieve” the tragedy of the situation

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

In R & J, look for moments of comic relief that help “relieve” the tragedy of the situation