William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare
Man of Mystery and Man of Mystery and ControversyControversy
The Dramatic TypesThe Dramatic TypesComedyComedy
Nobody diesNobody diesHistoryHistory
Historic British KingsHistoric British KingsTragedyTragedy
Death is certainDeath is certainRomanceRomance
Possible DeathPossible DeathExotic locale Exotic locale
Name the TypeName the Type
The VerseThe Verse
Iambic Pentameter – The Iambic Pentameter – The Meter, five iambic feetMeter, five iambic feet
Blank Verse – Unrhymed Blank Verse – Unrhymed Iambic PentameterIambic Pentameter
Meter – The beat or pulseMeter – The beat or pulse Feet – smallest unit Feet – smallest unit
within the meter; a beatwithin the meter; a beat Iambic Foot – Unstressed Iambic Foot – Unstressed
syllable followed by a syllable followed by a stressed.stressed.
Examples:Examples: ““Go bid thy mistress, Go bid thy mistress,
when my drink is when my drink is ready.”ready.”
She strike upon the bell. She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed.”Get thee to bed.”
Reading TipsReading Tips Know the settingKnow the setting Take notes – determine and question Take notes – determine and question
meaning.meaning. Read through line breaks. Stop at Read through line breaks. Stop at
punctuation. punctuation. Read aloud.Read aloud. Read footnotes. Read footnotes. Don’t let fancy words and old dialogue Don’t let fancy words and old dialogue
push you around. Battle it out!push you around. Battle it out!
The ManThe Man 1564 – 16161564 – 1616 Stratford Upon AvonStratford Upon Avon Middle Class Middle Class
backgroundbackground Married Anne HathawayMarried Anne Hathaway Twins: Judith,HamnetTwins: Judith,Hamnet 1585 – 1592: The Dark 1585 – 1592: The Dark
YearsYears 1590’s – Emerged in 1590’s – Emerged in
LondonLondon Prolific: 38 plays in 25 Prolific: 38 plays in 25
years: Sophocles, years: Sophocles, HomerHomer
The TheaterThe Theater 1576 – The Theater built 1576 – The Theater built
by Richard Burbageby Richard Burbage 1598 – The Globe Theater 1598 – The Globe Theater
constructedconstructed The SceneThe Scene
Rowdy, crowded, NoisyRowdy, crowded, Noisy Religious oppositionReligious opposition
Building DesignBuilding Design 3 Stories High3 Stories High 3000 people capacity3000 people capacity Pit up frontPit up front Open roofOpen roof Heaven and HellHeaven and Hell
Queen ElizabethQueen Elizabeth Patron and fanPatron and fan ProtestantProtestant Catholic oppositionCatholic opposition
Much Ado About NothingMuch Ado About Nothing
1598 – 16001598 – 1600 Thematically linked to Thematically linked to
Twelfth NightTwelfth Night and and As As You Like ItYou Like It
The Mask plays an The Mask plays an integral role.integral role.
““Nothing” = “Noting”Nothing” = “Noting” MisunderstandingsMisunderstandings
Important WorksImportant Works
Titus Andronicus – Titus Andronicus – 15891589 First PlayFirst Play Classical ReferencesClassical References Violence and BrutalityViolence and Brutality
Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet Love themeLove theme Less violenceLess violence Greater complexityGreater complexity
The RomancesThe Romances 1608 – 1611; late in 1608 – 1611; late in
careercareer Cymbeline, A Winter’s Cymbeline, A Winter’s
TaleTale
The TempestThe Tempest Final Play Final Play Great MysticismGreat Mysticism Farewell to the stageFarewell to the stage
InfluencesInfluences
Greek MythologyGreek Mythology Mystery PlaysMystery Plays
ReligionReligion Closeness to the Closeness to the
audienceaudience Morality PlaysMorality Plays
Allegory – “Every Man”Allegory – “Every Man” Thomas KydThomas Kyd
The Spanish TragedyThe Spanish Tragedy Christopher MarloweChristopher Marlowe
Dr. FaustusDr. Faustus