Shakespeare Midterm

What year was William Shakespeare born?

William Shakespeare was born in 1564.

Where was William Shakespeare born?

Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon.

What significant event regarding Shakespeare occurred on April 26, 1564?

Shakespeare was christened.

Who was Shakespeare's wife?

Shakespeare was married to Ann Hathaway.

What publication first mentioned Shakespeare as an actor?

Green’s Grotesworth of Wit published in 1592.

What was the name of Shakespeare's acting company in 1594?

He became a sharer in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

What notable play was written by Shakespeare in 1595?

King Richard II.

In which year was The Globe Theatre built?

The Globe Theatre was built in 1599.

What happened to The Theatre in 1599?

It burned down.

Who became king after the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603?

James IV and I became king.

What change occurred to Shakespeare's company after James I became king?

They became known as the Kingsmen.

What year did Shakespeare retire?

Shakespeare retired between 1611 and 1614.

In what year did Shakespeare die?

Shakespeare died in 1616.

What was published in 1623 concerning Shakespeare's works?

The First Folio was published.

What was the significance of the First Folio?

It was the first collection of all of Shakespeare's plays published.

What major event occurred in 1642 regarding theatres in England?

Puritans shut down theatres.

Who owned The Theatre, the first permanent playing structure in the area?

Richard Burbage owned The Theatre.

What was the primary structure type of the stage used in Shakespeare’s plays?

¾ Thrust Stage.

What are stage directions?

Indications in a script about movement or actions in a play.

Define Catharsis in the context of drama.

The effects of tragedy on the audience.

What is Dramatic Irony?

When the audience knows something that a character doesn’t.

What is a Speech Prefix in a play?

A shortened name of a character that appears before their lines.

What does the term Repertory refer to in the context of theater?

The system of producing a repertoire of plays to be performed.

What role did boy actors play in Shakespearean theatre?

Boy actors played female roles as women were not permitted to act.

What is an Aside in a play?

A spoken remark to the audience that is not heard by other characters.

What is Foulpaper?

An author's working drafts of a play.

What does the term Iambic Pentameter refer to?

A line of verse with five iambs, an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.

What is Blank Verse?

Verse that is written in meter but does not rhyme.

Who is the protagonist of King Richard II?

King Richard II is the protagonist.

What is Richard II’s tragic flaw?

His ineffective rule and poor decision-making.

Who is Henry Bolingbroke in relation to Richard II?

He is Richard’s cousin and the play's antagonist.

What significant transition does Bolingbroke undergo in the play?

He becomes King Henry IV after overthrowing Richard.

What pivotal action does John of Gaunt take in the play?

He criticizes Richard's mismanagement and his death leads to Richard’s downfall.

What is the primary conflict surrounding the Duke of York's character?

His indecision between loyalty to Richard and duty to Bolingbroke.

What does the Duchess of Gloucester represent in the play?

The personal vendetta against Richard for her husband's death.

What is significant about Aumerle's character?

His changing loyalties reflect the turbulent political landscape.

What role does the Bishop of Carlisle play in King Richard II?

He opposes Richard's deposition and represents the spiritual aspect of the struggle.

What thematic significance does Queen Isabel hold?

She symbolizes Richard’s loss of power and the personal cost of his decisions.

What is Roderigo's relationship with Desdemona?

He is in love with her and becomes one of Iago's pawns.

What is Othello's tragic flaw?

His jealousy and insecurity.

What describes Desdemona's character?

She is intelligent, devoted, and falsely accused of infidelity.

Who is the primary antagonist in Othello?

Iago is the main antagonist.

How does Iago manipulate Othello throughout the play?

By planting seeds of doubt and jealousy regarding Desdemona.

What does Emilia do that changes the course of the play?

She reveals Iago's treachery at the end.

What theme does Shylock's character explore?

The complexities of justice, mercy, and prejudice.

What crucial role does Portia play in the resolution of The Merchant of Venice?

She disguises herself as a lawyer to save Antonio.

What is the famous quote by Shylock that highlights his humanity?

"If you prick us, do we not bleed?"