Willm Shakp

William Shaksper William Shakspere

Willm Shakspere

By me William Shakspeare

ShakespeareWhen did he live?

• 1564-1616

• English Renaissance

• During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and later King James I

Shakespeare

What did he write?

Plays, poems, and sonnets

What language did he write in?

Early Modern English.

But, wait! I thought it was Old English!

This is Old EnglishHwät! we Gâr-Dena in geâr-dagumþeód-cyninga þrym gefrunon,hû þâ äðelingas ellen fremedon.Oft Scyld Scêfing sceaðena þreátum.

(Translation)Lo! the Spear-Danes' glory through splendid achievementsThe folk-kings' former fame we have heard of,How princes displayed then their prowess-in-battle.Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers...

(Beowulf)

This is Middle EnglishYe seken lond and see for your wynnynges,As wise folk ye knowen all th'estaat Of regnes; ye been fadres of tydynges And tales, bothe of pees and of debaat.

(Translation)You seek land and sea for your winnings,As wise folk you know all the estateOf kingdoms; you be fathers of tidings,And tales, both of peace and of debate.

(Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales)

Shakespeare

What types of plays did he write?

Comedies, Histories,

Tragedies

ShakespeareWhy did he write?

Well, there were probably many reasons, but mostly…

$To survive.

Drama Elements

Stage directions

A playwright's descriptive or interpretive comments that provide readers (and actors) with information about the dialogue, setting, and action of a play. Modern playwrights tend to include detailed stage directions, while earlier playwrights typically used them more sparsely or not at all.

Stage Directions

Drama Elements

Soliloquy

A long speech by a single actor who is ALONE on stage; typically reveals the private thoughts and emotions of the character.

Drama Elements

Dialogue

A conversation between characters in a literary work.

Drama Elements

Aside

In a play, a comment made by a character, but is not heard by the other characters onstage.

Drama Elements

Monologue

A long speech made by one actor; a monologue may be delivered alone or in the presence of others.

“Pray you, keep your seats.” (Macbeth 3.4.55)

“Sit, worthy friends.” (Macbeth 3.4.53)

“You know your own degrees; sit down.” (Macbeth 3.4.1)

“Pray you, sit still.” (Macbeth 3.4.109)

“May’t please your highness, sit.” (Macbeth 3.4.40)

Shakespeare: The Bard in Context

Julius Caesar dies Julius Caesar first performed

44 BCE1599

0 How many years separate Julius Caesar

from Julius Caesar?

1643

Who

Where

Interested in…

Noble/Royalty

Balcony

Educated Middle Class

Gallery

“Groundling”

Pit

Where: Balcony Who: Nobles/Royalty

Interested in: political intrigue, character flaws in rich/powerful, royals’ place in society

Where: Gallery Who: Educated Middle Class

Interested in: plot, puns, riddles, ironies, juxtapositions, double entendres

Where: Pit Who: “Groundlings”/Lower Class

Interested in: special effects, violence, gore , sex, dirty jokes

Who/Where Interested in _____ from Romero & Juliet…

Noble/Royalty

Balcony

Educated Middle Class

Gallery

“Groundling”

Pit