Shakespeare

Why was life in the 16th century so dangerous?

Catholics >< Protestants (threat of invasion)

The plague

What was the status of English in the 16th century?

What was Shakespeare’s contribution?

English → seen as vulgar peasant language, incapable of expressing refined thought.

Shakespeare invented/used in a new way ± 1700 words.

Who was William Clarton?

He first introduced the printing press to England in 1476.

Grammar school: Shakespeare’s generation was only the second to be taught a new subject. What subject?

Grammar. Other subjects were English, Latin, Greek

Why did Shakespeare go to London?

To become an actor and playwright.

Shakespeare married Anne Hatheway in 1582. What is so special about this marriage?

He was 18 and she was 26 years old.

Give the title of Shakespeare’s first play.

Henry VI

What can you tell about:

Christopher Marlowe

Henry Wriothesley

Christopher Marlowe: rival playwright, same age.

Henry Wriothesly : earl of Southampton, patron who paid £1000 for the poem.

Where were the theatres located in London? Why?

South bank: far away from the city because they were seen as riotous places,…

Describe the Elizabethan Theatre

• performances in the afternoon

• no curtains (except in the back)

• no scenery → music and sound effects were very important

• stage: upper balcony for musicians/ actors, doors at the back

Name 2 famous theatres

• The Glove

• The Swan

Why did acting companies need boys?

They played the female parts (no women allowed)

What was Shakespeare’s function in his acting company?

Actor + playwright

What is a shakespearean sonnet?

a poem concisting of:

• 14 lines (3 quatrains and a couplet)

• rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef gg

• iambic pentameter: (unstressed - stressed)

• volta ; the turn in thought

Who is Sonnet 130 adressed to?

The Dark Lady

Link the body parts to its ideal image. What does Shakespeare do with them?

He reverses these clichés: though his mistress is not perfect, he loves her more than so-called ideal ladies.

Who is sonnet 18 adressed to?

A beautiful young man

What is the theme of sonnet 18?

My poetry will give you eternal life.

What does poem 18 use?

it uses iambic pentamter

What is ‘The First Folio’?

The first collected edition of his works made by two of his friends. There were 36 plays in it, they could be divided into three categories:

• Tragedies

• Comedies

• Histories (kings)

How many acts are there in a play? What is each act about?

• Act 1: exposition

• Act 2: rising action

• Act 3: climax

• Act 4: falling action

• Act 5: Resolution

What can a play consist of?

• A chorus

• A prologue

• An aside

• A soliloquy

• Blank verse

What is a chorus?

group of actors that gives background and summary information to help the audience follow the performance.

What is a prologue?

preface to the story (giving background and other miscellaneous information)

What is an aside?

a character that speaks briefly to the audience, unheard by other characters on stage.

What is a soliloquy?

a character that relates his/her thougts or feelings without adressing any of the other characters (cfr. Hamlet). Not completely the same as a monologue, where thoughts are also expressed aloud but to another character or the audience.

What is a blank verse?

without rhyme, usually iambic pentameter