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