Shakespeare in Love Shakespeare in Love with Canavese’s Classwith Canavese’s Class

A beautiful and intriguing tale of A beautiful and intriguing tale of human triumph, deception, and human triumph, deception, and mistaken identity all played out mistaken identity all played out

within a theatre.within a theatre.

The versin’ birth The versin’ birth (and the beginning of a profitable tourist industry)(and the beginning of a profitable tourist industry)

b. ~ Apr. 23, 1564; d. Apr. 23, 1616 b. ~ Apr. 23, 1564; d. Apr. 23, 1616 in Stratford – upon – Avon (river)in Stratford – upon – Avon (river)

Shakespeare’s birthplaceShakespeare’s birthplace

Billy the KidBilly the Kid Father John (glover + town Father John (glover + town

bailiff / councilman) longed bailiff / councilman) longed to move up in social status – to move up in social status – belong to the gentrybelong to the gentry

Mother Mary (Arden)’s Mother Mary (Arden)’s family was gentry, but she family was gentry, but she lost this distinction with lost this distinction with marriagemarriage

W.S. in grammar school: W.S. in grammar school: studied Latin, but English not offered as a studied Latin, but English not offered as a subject; prob. studied some Greek; subject; prob. studied some Greek; read classics in Latin, like works of Ovid. read classics in Latin, like works of Ovid. No math, science, history, geographyNo math, science, history, geography

On TourOn TourActors needed a license and Actors needed a license and

patronage to tour + perform. Though patronage to tour + perform. Though revered as celebrities today, actors revered as celebrities today, actors were considered low-class sorts by were considered low-class sorts by many in Shakespeare’s day.many in Shakespeare’s day.

1576, The Year that 1576, The Year that Was.Was. Before 1576, all performances had been Before 1576, all performances had been

in inn (court)yards + guild halls. In in inn (court)yards + guild halls. In 1576, James Burbage built the first 1576, James Burbage built the first theatre “in” London. It was in fact just theatre “in” London. It was in fact just outside London, for reasons explained outside London, for reasons explained on the next slide.on the next slide.

Burbage’s building was called “The Burbage’s building was called “The Theatre” (the word, from the Greek, Theatre” (the word, from the Greek, means “seeing place”)means “seeing place”)

Theatre was liked by the general public, Theatre was liked by the general public, but increasingly condemned by clergy + but increasingly condemned by clergy + govt., who called it sinful, a drain on the govt., who called it sinful, a drain on the time + $ of workers and a dangerous time + $ of workers and a dangerous gathering of people.gathering of people.

Those guys were referred to as real Those guys were referred to as real jerks. jerks.

That Last Slide ContinuedThat Last Slide Continued

London Council had, in 1574, put London Council had, in 1574, put restrictions on acting companies, including restrictions on acting companies, including no Sunday performances. (come on, what no Sunday performances. (come on, what is this Communist China?)is this Communist China?)

Burbage built his theatre just outside city Burbage built his theatre just outside city limitslimits

The audiences included apprentices (who The audiences included apprentices (who made up most of the groundlings) made up most of the groundlings) + women (who enjoyed the dirty jokes)+ women (who enjoyed the dirty jokes)

Shakespeare worked w/ Burbage’s sons Shakespeare worked w/ Burbage’s sons Cuthbert (business partner) Cuthbert (business partner)

and Richard (actor)and Richard (actor)for most of his career (1594-1610, at for most of his career (1594-1610, at least)least)

1582, the Year that Was almost 1582, the Year that Was almost 15761576

W.S. (age 18) married Anne Hathaway (age W.S. (age 18) married Anne Hathaway (age 26), who gave birth six months later (they 26), who gave birth six months later (they may have had a “pre-contract” that made may have had a “pre-contract” that made them an “official” couple). Lots of couples them an “official” couple). Lots of couples did this back in the day before they had did this back in the day before they had their official wedding, so their child may their official wedding, so their child may not have been considered conceived out of not have been considered conceived out of wedlock. Still, the child may well have wedlock. Still, the child may well have been the reason Shakespeare got married. been the reason Shakespeare got married. (Think carefully before you shake your (Think carefully before you shake your spears, boys.)spears, boys.)

A lot of tots fill slots; forget A lot of tots fill slots; forget them notthem not

1583: Daughter Susanna born.1583: Daughter Susanna born.1585: Twins Hamnet (boy) + Judith 1585: Twins Hamnet (boy) + Judith

(girl) born(girl) born

Trouble in ParadiseTrouble in Paradise

Soon after, W.S. left family in Stratford Soon after, W.S. left family in Stratford moved to London (Anne was probably moved to London (Anne was probably Puritan, which would explain why she would Puritan, which would explain why she would not support his theatre career)not support his theatre career)

However, this was not a very upstanding However, this was not a very upstanding thing to do. If you have a family, you can’t thing to do. If you have a family, you can’t just walk out on them, you just gotta sack just walk out on them, you just gotta sack up. But Shakespeare was a sweet writer, up. But Shakespeare was a sweet writer, maybe even the sweetest writer ever, so maybe even the sweetest writer ever, so people usually forgive him for leaving his people usually forgive him for leaving his family. family.

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Stratford to LondonStratford to London

1585-1592: The Lost Years1585-1592: The Lost Years

No historical records detail this No historical records detail this period, but we assume he trained as period, but we assume he trained as an actor and…an actor and…

More importantly, made a decision More importantly, made a decision from which he could never turn back, from which he could never turn back, and which would ultimately change and which would ultimately change the course of history: he began to the course of history: he began to write plays...write plays...

Also in 1592, some jerk was Also in 1592, some jerk was talking smack about our boy.talking smack about our boy.

W.S. attacked in print by university wit + W.S. attacked in print by university wit + former playwright Robert Greene, who former playwright Robert Greene, who wrote—no doubt jealous of this young wrote—no doubt jealous of this young man’s instant success—“There is an upstart man’s instant success—“There is an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers, that with crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his tyger’s heart wrapped in a player’s his tyger’s heart wrapped in a player’s hyde, supposes he is as well able to hyde, supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of bombast out a blank verse as the best of you: and being an absolute Johannes you: and being an absolute Johannes factotum, is in his own conceit the only factotum, is in his own conceit the only Shake-scene in a country.”Shake-scene in a country.”

1592-15941592-15941592-1594:1592-1594: Theatres closed by London Theatres closed by London

Council due to the plague. With no reason to Council due to the plague. With no reason to write for the stage, Shakespeare focused on write for the stage, Shakespeare focused on writing poems.writing poems.

1593: 1593: poem “Venus and Adonis”poem “Venus and Adonis”1594: 1594: poempoem “The Rape of Lucrece”“The Rape of Lucrece”

- Joined Lord Chamberlain’s Men (acting - Joined Lord Chamberlain’s Men (acting company), which was under the patronage of company), which was under the patronage of the Queen the Queen (the Master of the Revels approved plays for (the Master of the Revels approved plays for the Queen + eventually all of England)the Queen + eventually all of England)

More stuff happensMore stuff happens1597:1597: W.S. buys “New Place” in Stratford; W.S. buys “New Place” in Stratford;

secures family coat of arms; Lord Ch’s Men secures family coat of arms; Lord Ch’s Men lose their leaselose their lease

1599:1599: W.S. becomes “partner” in Company, W.S. becomes “partner” in Company, investing in the construction of the Globe investing in the construction of the Globe TheatreTheatre

1603: 1603: Queen Elizabeth dies; King James I Queen Elizabeth dies; King James I crowned; company becomes the King’s Mencrowned; company becomes the King’s Men

1609:1609: King’s Men acquire Blackfriars King’s Men acquire Blackfriars (indoor theatre) (indoor theatre) 

Retirement, fire, and deathRetirement, fire, and death 1610:1610: W.S. retires to Stratford; continues to write (in W.S. retires to Stratford; continues to write (in

collaboration with John Fletcher)collaboration with John Fletcher) 1613:1613: Globe burns during packed performance of W.S.’s Globe burns during packed performance of W.S.’s Henry Henry

VIIIVIII April 23, 1616:April 23, 1616: the day the poetry died the day the poetry died

(yep, we think he died on his birthday)(yep, we think he died on his birthday) He bequeathed his "second-best bed" to his wife; often He bequeathed his "second-best bed" to his wife; often

interpreted as a slight, but this would most likely have been the interpreted as a slight, but this would most likely have been the family bed, the “best bed” being for guests.family bed, the “best bed” being for guests.

Inscription on Shakespeare’s grave:Inscription on Shakespeare’s grave:Good friend for Jesus’ sake forbearGood friend for Jesus’ sake forbear

To dig the dust enclosed here.To dig the dust enclosed here.

Blest be the man that spares these stones,Blest be the man that spares these stones,

And curst be he that moves my bones.And curst be he that moves my bones.

Life doesn’t go onLife doesn’t go on(but the plays do)(but the plays do)

1623:1623:

First folio published by 2 of First folio published by 2 of Shakespeare’s former acting partners: Shakespeare’s former acting partners: John Heminges + Henry Condell. John Heminges + Henry Condell. Previous Quartos were “bootleg”Previous Quartos were “bootleg”

  1997:1997:

New Globe opened by Queen Elizabeth New Globe opened by Queen Elizabeth IIII

1717

Elizabethan TheatresElizabethan Theatres

Flowering of theatre. The Renaissance (rebirth) grew from Flowering of theatre. The Renaissance (rebirth) grew from England’s medieval theatre of mystery and morality plays England’s medieval theatre of mystery and morality plays with some stylistic infusion from educate men’s common with some stylistic infusion from educate men’s common reading of the Roman playwrights (Terence, Plautus, reading of the Roman playwrights (Terence, Plautus, Seneca). Seneca).

City authorities would often ban theatrical productions… City authorities would often ban theatrical productions… gatherings encouraged crime.gatherings encouraged crime.

Theatres: The Theatre and The Curtain in North London; The Theatres: The Theatre and The Curtain in North London; The Rose, the Swan, and The Globe (1599) in South London.Rose, the Swan, and The Globe (1599) in South London.

Christopher Marlow (1564-1593) – Christopher Marlow (1564-1593) – Tamburlane the Great, Tamburlane the Great, Faustus, Edward IIFaustus, Edward II

Ben Jonson (1572-1637) – Ben Jonson (1572-1637) – Volpone, The FoxVolpone, The Fox Shakespeare (1564-1616)Shakespeare (1564-1616)

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Elizabethan TheatresElizabethan Theatres

Wooden, circular Wooden, circular structure, open to the structure, open to the sunsun

The pit (groundlings) The pit (groundlings) vs. the galleriesvs. the galleries

Audience close to the Audience close to the actorsactors

Women not allowed on Women not allowed on stage (teenage boys)stage (teenage boys)

No scenery, few props, No scenery, few props, but elaborate costumesbut elaborate costumes

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Iambic PentameterIambic Pentameter

The poetic form used by Shakespeare is Iambic The poetic form used by Shakespeare is Iambic PentameterPentameter

Iambic Pentameter Iambic Pentameter is a rhythmical pattern of syllablesis a rhythmical pattern of syllables IambicIambic: rhythm goes from unstressed syllable to a stressed : rhythm goes from unstressed syllable to a stressed

one. Rhythmic examples: “divine” “caress” “bizarre” one. Rhythmic examples: “divine” “caress” “bizarre” Like a heartbeat: daDUM daDUMLike a heartbeat: daDUM daDUMEach iamb is called a footEach iamb is called a foot

There are other rhythms. I.e., trochaic = DUMdaThere are other rhythms. I.e., trochaic = DUMda

PentameterPentameter = the rhythm is repeated 5 times – each line is = the rhythm is repeated 5 times – each line is 10 syllables:10 syllables:

daDUM daDUM daDUM daDUM daDUMdaDUM daDUM daDUM daDUM daDUM

2222

Iambic PentameterIambic Pentameter

PentameterPentameter = the rhythm is repeated 5 times = the rhythm is repeated 5 times

daDUM daDUM daDUM daDUM daDUMdaDUM daDUM daDUM daDUM daDUM

The Prince of Cumberland! That is a stepThe Prince of Cumberland! That is a stepOn which I must fall down, or else o’er-leap,On which I must fall down, or else o’er-leap,For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires!For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires!Let not light see my black and deep desires.Let not light see my black and deep desires.

Shakespeare will sometimes end iambic pentameter Shakespeare will sometimes end iambic pentameter on an unstressed syllable, so that the last foot sounds on an unstressed syllable, so that the last foot sounds like this: daDUMda.like this: daDUMda. To be, or not to be, that is the question.To be, or not to be, that is the question. Is this a dagger which I see before meIs this a dagger which I see before me

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Blank VerseBlank Verse

Blank Verse = unrhymed iambic Blank Verse = unrhymed iambic pentameterpentameter

Exceptions:Exceptions:Rhyming couplets often at the end Rhyming couplets often at the end

of monologues/scenes, used for of monologues/scenes, used for emphasisemphasis

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Shakespeare’s SonnetsShakespeare’s Sonnets

Sonnets = 14 lines of iambic Sonnets = 14 lines of iambic pentameterpentameterOriginally created in Italy in the 1200’sOriginally created in Italy in the 1200’s

Shakespearean Sonnet = 3 Shakespearean Sonnet = 3 quatrains and a final couplet (ABAB quatrains and a final couplet (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG)CDCD EFEF GG)

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Elizabethan Age – Jacobean Age Elizabethan Age – Jacobean Age

Shakespeare gains his notoriety Shakespeare gains his notoriety during a time when theatre is during a time when theatre is flourishing – the Elizabethan Age.flourishing – the Elizabethan Age.

Named after Queen Elizabeth I, who Named after Queen Elizabeth I, who reigns until 1603.reigns until 1603.

King James I reigns during the rest of King James I reigns during the rest of Shakespeare’s life. Shakespeare Shakespeare’s life. Shakespeare (arguably) writes (arguably) writes MacbethMacbeth in 1606 to in 1606 to honor the King.honor the King.

2626

Elizabethan Age – Jacobean Age Elizabethan Age – Jacobean Age

Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603) – Daughter of Henry VIII Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603) – Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Protestant. The Virgin Queen. and Anne Boleyn. Protestant. The Virgin Queen. Takes throne from Mary I (aka Bloody Mary), a Catholic who Takes throne from Mary I (aka Bloody Mary), a Catholic who

executed Protestants in large numbers.executed Protestants in large numbers.

Elizabeth I firmly establishes the Church of England Elizabeth I firmly establishes the Church of England (begun by her father); took the Church “the middle (begun by her father); took the Church “the middle way” between Catholic origins and Protestant way” between Catholic origins and Protestant ReformationReformation

England emerges as the leading naval and England emerges as the leading naval and commercial power of the Western world. Elizabeth I's commercial power of the Western world. Elizabeth I's England consolidates its position with the defeat of England consolidates its position with the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Elizabeth names James VI of Scotland to be the heir Elizabeth names James VI of Scotland to be the heir to the throne.to the throne.

Takes the crown as James I, and rules from 1603-Takes the crown as James I, and rules from 1603-1625. The Jacobean Age.1625. The Jacobean Age.

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1616thth century London century London

center of culture and commerce. center of culture and commerce.

population grew 400% from 1500 to 1600, reaching population grew 400% from 1500 to 1600, reaching nearly 200,000 people in the city proper and nearly 200,000 people in the city proper and outlying region by the time Shakespeare arrived. outlying region by the time Shakespeare arrived.

Thriving merchant middle class Thriving merchant middle class

Booming economyBooming economy

2828

The Four HumoursThe Four Humours

A traditional theory of physiology in which A traditional theory of physiology in which the state of health - and by extension the the state of health - and by extension the state of mind, or character - depended state of mind, or character - depended upon a balance among the four elemental upon a balance among the four elemental fluids: blood, yellow bile, phlegm, and fluids: blood, yellow bile, phlegm, and black bile. black bile.

These were closely allied with the four These were closely allied with the four elements (air, fire, water, and earth). elements (air, fire, water, and earth). Their correspondence is described as Their correspondence is described as follows…follows…

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The HumoursThe HumoursSANGUINE: Blood SANGUINE: Blood

Hot and moist; (Air)Hot and moist; (Air)Amorous, happy, Amorous, happy,

generous generous

MELANCHOLIC: MELANCHOLIC: Black BileBlack Bile

Cold and dry ; Cold and dry ; (Earth) (Earth)

Gluttonous, lazy, Gluttonous, lazy, sentimentalsentimental

•PHLEGMATIC: Phlegm

– Cold and moist; (Water )

– Dull, pale, cowardly

•CHOLERIC: Yellow Bile

– Hot and dry; (Fire)– Violent, vengeful

3030

The HumoursThe Humours

The "humours" gave off vapors which The "humours" gave off vapors which ascended to the brain; an individual's ascended to the brain; an individual's personal characteristics (physical, mental, personal characteristics (physical, mental, moral) were explained by his or her moral) were explained by his or her "temperament," or the state of that person's "temperament," or the state of that person's "humours." "humours."

The perfect temperament resulted when no The perfect temperament resulted when no one of these humours dominated. one of these humours dominated.

By 1600 it was common to use "humour" as a By 1600 it was common to use "humour" as a means of classifying characters; knowledge means of classifying characters; knowledge of the humours is not only important to of the humours is not only important to understanding later medieval work, but understanding later medieval work, but essential to interpreting Elizabethan drama.essential to interpreting Elizabethan drama.

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Shakespeare’s LifeShakespeare’s Life

http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/quiz/bioquiz.htm