Background Information about

Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s World• Lived in England during the Elizabethan

Era.

• Elizabeth I became Queen of England and supported all of the arts; therefore, notable writers emerged, and by the end of the 16th century, London had more theaters than any other city in Europe.

Shakespeare’s Theater

• Shakespeare wrote the company’s plays, was part owner, and performed occasionally as an actor.

• In 1599, he became part owner of the Globe Theater.

• All classes of theatergoers enjoyed his plays because they included something for everyone.

• From the early 1590s, Shakespeare was affiliated with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men theater company.

• Performances were given during the day in warmer weather.

• The stage had no scenery. The dialogue told the audience where a scene was taking place.

• Productions were by no means drab. Costumes could be quite ornate. Props such as swords, shields, and swirling banners added to the colorful display. Sound effects were behind the stage

Shakespeare’s Legacy

• Most familiar lines in the English language come from Shakespeare’s plays.

“To be, or not to be, that is the

question.”

Aristotelian Tragedy

• The most important element of a tragic drama was the unique experience of CATHARSIS, the arousing of the specific emotions of pity and fear so as to dispel or purge them in the spectator.

• This is tragedy defined by its emotional effect on the audience.

Ideal Plot

• The story takes place in 24 hours.

• This produces a strong emotional response.

Tragic Hero’s Characteristics

• The hero must be of high status.

• The hero must be a good person.

• Has a tragic flaw that contributes to his/her downfall. - Hubris (pride)

• Recognizes his/her mistakes.

• Reverses position.

• Punished but not necessarily by death.

Shakespearean Tragedy

• Shakespeare includes the unique experience of CATHARSIS, the arousing of the specific emotions of pity and fear so as to dispel or purge them in the spectator.

Ideal Plot

• Shakespearean plays do not all occur in a day or two. Many plays give the assumption that they do.

Tragic Hero Characteristics• Hero must be of high rank.

• Exhibits extraordinary talents.

• The hero’s greatest strength when taken to the extreme contributes to his downfall.

• Hero may or may not recognize his flaw.

• The tragic hero always dies.

Shakespearean Tragedy

• Plays contain references to the supernatural.

• Plays have hallucinations.

• Plays have accidental occurrences.

Othello

Source of Othello

• Shakespeare based Othello on a story in

Giraldi Cinthio’s Hecatommithi. This

was a collection of a hundred tales

printed in Italy in the Sixteenth Century.

It is thought that Shakespeare read the

original Italian verse.

Notes on Othello• Othello was written in 1604.

• Othello, a Moor, is commander of the Venetian army and elopes with Desdemona. Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, accuses him of witchcraft, but Desdemona refutes the charge. The Moor, being then sent to drive the Turks from Cyprus, is victorious. On his return, Iago, Othello’s lieutenant, plays upon his jealousy and persuades him that Desdemona has been false to him with Cassio. Therefore, Othello murders her, and, after hearing how he has been duped by Iago, slays himself.