William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

English 9English 9

RenaissanceRenaissanceWhat can you tell me about the What can you tell me about the

Renaissance?Renaissance?The Renaissance was a time of The Renaissance was a time of

rebirth. Europeans experienced a rebirth. Europeans experienced a reawakening of interest in the reawakening of interest in the classics--government, literature, art, classics--government, literature, art, and thought. It was a time of and thought. It was a time of experimentation. It was a time of experimentation. It was a time of religious upheaval…and it was a time religious upheaval…and it was a time of war. of war.

Shakespeare’s LifeShakespeare’s Life Baptized April 26, 1564Baptized April 26, 1564 At 18, married Anne Hathaway At 18, married Anne Hathaway

Had three childrenHad three children 1592 started pursuing a career in theater1592 started pursuing a career in theater By 1593, he was a well-known actor and By 1593, he was a well-known actor and

playwrightplaywright Wrote sonnets and plays…some are Wrote sonnets and plays…some are

considered the best ever writtenconsidered the best ever written Some say he didn’t write it allSome say he didn’t write it all

The Christopher Marlowe & Francis Bacon theoriesThe Christopher Marlowe & Francis Bacon theories Died April 23Died April 23rdrd, 1616, 1616

Globe TheaterGlobe TheaterOpened in 1599Opened in 1599Burned down in 1613 from a cannon Burned down in 1613 from a cannon

shot during a performance of Henry shot during a performance of Henry VIII.VIII.

Literary Terms Literary Terms Blank VerseBlank Verse:  unrhymed iambic :  unrhymed iambic

pentameterpentameterIambic PentameterIambic Pentameter:  five beats of :  five beats of

alternating unstressed and alternating unstressed and stressedstressed syllables; ten syllables per line.syllables; ten syllables per line.'So 'So fairfair / and / and foulfoul / a / a dayday / I / I havehave / not / not seenseen'''The 'The coursecourse / of / of truetrue / love / love nevnev/er /er diddid / run / run

smoothsmooth‘‘Metaphor, simile, personification, foil, Metaphor, simile, personification, foil,

theme, symbolism…theme, symbolism…Wow, these seem familiar!Wow, these seem familiar!

Structure of a Five-Act PlayStructure of a Five-Act PlayAct I: Act I: IntroductionIntroductionAct II: Act II: Rising ActionRising ActionAct III:Act III: Turning Point Turning Point Act IV: Act IV: Falling ActionFalling ActionAct V:Act V: Resolution/CatastropheResolution/Catastrophe

Presents the event that resolves, or ends, Presents the event that resolves, or ends, the central conflictthe central conflictIn a tragedy, this Act is the catastrophe In a tragedy, this Act is the catastrophe

because it marks the ultimate fall of the because it marks the ultimate fall of the central charactercentral character

Types of Shakespearean Types of Shakespearean PlaysPlays

Tragedies Tragedies ComediesComediesHistoriesHistories

Shakespeare did not put his plays in Shakespeare did not put his plays in categories…Scholars didcategories…Scholars did

TragediesTragediesThe Greek philosopher, Aristotle, The Greek philosopher, Aristotle,

defined tragedy as “the noblest and defined tragedy as “the noblest and most serious, dignified and important most serious, dignified and important form of drama.”form of drama.”

Tells the story of the fall of a person Tells the story of the fall of a person in high statusin high statusDeath is often the result at the end of Death is often the result at the end of

the playthe play

ComediesComedies Idea evolved from early Greek Idea evolved from early Greek

comediescomediesAll types of humor used: appropriate All types of humor used: appropriate

and inappropriateand inappropriateShakespeare’s comedies:Shakespeare’s comedies:

full of fun, irony, and plays on wordsfull of fun, irony, and plays on wordsLots of disguises, mistaken identities, Lots of disguises, mistaken identities,

and unusual (and sometimes hard to and unusual (and sometimes hard to follow) plotsfollow) plots

HistoriesHistories Included events/people from history Included events/people from history

(go figure, huh?)(go figure, huh?)However…it was loosely based on However…it was loosely based on

those events and/or charactersthose events and/or charactersWere a mix of tragedy and comedyWere a mix of tragedy and comedy

Oh…waitOh…waitSome folks say there were more Some folks say there were more

types of plays:types of plays:RomanceRomanceRomanRoman

……but others feel that they fit into the but others feel that they fit into the three main categories anywaythree main categories anyway

Romeo and JulietRomeo and JulietTragedyTragedy

What does that tell you?What does that tell you?What do you know about the play?What do you know about the play?