William Shakespeare Flashcards

Flashcards about William Shakespeare's life and works.

What language did Shakespeare write in?

Early Modern English, also known as Elizabethan English or Shakespearean English.

Besides serious themes, what was Shakespeare also known for in his writing?

Filthy language, including insults and swear words.

Approximately how many words did Shakespeare invent in the English language?

Over 1,700 words.

Name three words that Shakespeare invented that are still used today.

Puking, assassination, and cold-blooded savagery. (Swagger is also acceptable)

When was William Shakespeare born and when did he die?

Born on April 23, 1564 and died on April 23, 1616.

What was Shakespeare's family's social class?

Middle class.

What age did Shakespeare drop out of school?

13 years old

What was Shakespeare's nickname?

The Bard

Who did Shakespeare marry and how old were they?

Anne Hathaway, who was 26 while Shakespeare was 18.

What are the years between 1585 and 1592 referred to as?

Shakespeare's 'lost years'

How many plays and sonnets did Shakespeare write?

38 plays and 154 sonnets.

What rhyme scheme does a Shakespearean sonnet follow?

a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d-, e-f-e-f, g-g.

Name three genres of Shakespearean plays.

Tragedy, Comedy, and History.

In what theater were Shakespeare's works performed?

The Globe Theater

In plays, what is dialogue?

When one character speaks to another

In plays, what are stage directions?

Written in italics, they give information about the setting, movement of characters, placement of objects, etc. NOT read aloud!

In plays, what is an aside?

When a character briefly speaks to the audience or another character, but the other characters on stage do NOT hear what he/she is saying.

In plays, what is a soliloquy?

A long speech given by one character to the audience, but the other characters on stage do NOT hear what he/she is saying.

In plays, what is a monologue?

A long speech given by one character to let the audience know what he/she is thinking. Other characters can hear it.

In plays, what is an apostrophe?

A literary term in which a character addresses a dead, absent, or nonliving thing as if it were alive and/or present.

In plays, what is catharsis?

The purging, purifying, or relieving of emotional tension, especially by art.