William Shakespeare - An Introduction

A series of flashcards to help review key concepts and details from the lecture on William Shakespeare.

When was William Shakespeare born?

April 23rd, 1564.

What year did William Shakespeare die?

He died on April 23rd, 1616.

Where did Shakespeare live?

Stratford-on-Avon near London, England.

How many plays did Shakespeare write?

37 plays.

How many poems did Shakespeare write?

Just over 155 poems.

What types of plays did Shakespeare write?

Comedies, histories, and tragedies.

What was Shakespeare's initial career?

He began his career as an actor.

What level of formal education did Shakespeare attain?

He was not formally educated past grade school.

How many children did Shakespeare have?

Three children.

What was the name of the actor group led by Shakespeare?

Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

What theater is primarily associated with Shakespeare?

The Globe Theater.

What was the name of Shakespeare's acting troupe under James I?

The King’s Men.

Who played women's roles in Shakespeare's plays?

Young boys played women's roles since it was not socially acceptable for women to act on stage.

Describe the theater experience in Shakespeare's time.

It was loud, crowded, and not very hygienic.

What was the admission price to stand in the theater?

One penny.

What social classes attended Shakespeare's plays?

All social classes were welcome.

What were costumes like in Shakespeare's time?

Expensive and detailed.

How many people could fit in the Globe Theater at once?

Nearly 3,000 people.

What type of structure was the Globe Theater?

A 16-sided open air structure.

Why was natural light needed in the Globe Theater?

There was no complete roof.

What unique feature did the Globe Theater lack?

There was no curtain.

What disaster happened to the Globe Theater during a performance?

It burned down when a cannon caught part of it on fire.

When was the Globe Theater rebuilt?

A few years after it burned down.

Why was the Globe Theater eventually closed?

It was closed by Puritan leaders who deemed it immoral.

When was a replica of the Globe Theater built?

A replica was built in London in 1997.

How many acts are in a typical Shakespearean drama?

Five acts.

What is the purpose of Act One in Shakespearean drama?

Establishes background, tone, characters, and setting.

What happens during Act Two?

Rising action, including conflicts and complications.

What is the climax in a Shakespearean play?

The turning point where suspense builds and conflicts come together.

What is observed in Act Four?

Falling action where the effects of the protagonist's decisions are seen.

What does Act Five represent?

The resolution, which may be tragic.

What is an 'aside' in drama?

A remark intended to be heard by the audience but not by other characters.

Define 'soliloquy'.

A character speaks to himself or herself.

What is blank verse?

Metrical but unrhymed lines, usually in iambic pentameter.

Explain 'iambic pentameter'.

Five iambs, an iamb being one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable.

What is a pun?

A joke exploiting different possible meanings of a word.

What is a prologue?

An opening to a story that establishes the scene.

What is the role of a chorus in a play?

A character who speaks the prologue and comments on events.

Define a sonnet.

A poem of fourteen lines with formal rhyme schemes, typically ten syllables per line.

Why should we read Shakespeare?

His messages are still relevant and universal.

What are common subjects in Shakespeare's works?

Love, marriage, death, guilt, betrayal, family conflicts, power, and greed.

How is Shakespeare's language characterized?

Expressive and powerful.

What is Shakespeare considered in terms of writing?

One of the best writers ever.

What influence did Shakespeare have on modern English?

He is considered the most important individual influence on modern English.

What are the names of the Capulet family members in 'Romeo and Juliet'?

Lady and Lord Capulet, Juliet, Tybalt, and the Nurse.

What are the names of the Montague family members in 'Romeo and Juliet'?

Lady and Lord Montague, Romeo, Benvolio, Mercutio, and Balthasar.