Shakespeare Midterm

• Shakespeare born 1564

• Stratford-on-Avon

• Christened on 26th April 1564

• Married to Ann Hathaway 

• By 1592, publication (Green’s Grotesworth of Wit) first mentioned him as an actor 

• 1594: Becomes a sharer in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men(Longest lasting company of the period)

  • Is also actor and main playwright

• 1595: King Richard II written and performed

• 1596: Merchant of Venice written and performed

• 1599: The Globe was built after The Theatre burned down

• 1603: Queen Elizabeth I dies, James IV and I becomes king, Lord Chamberlain’s Men become the Kingsmen

• 1604: Othello first written and performed

• 1608: Shakespeare’s company obtains Blackfriars Playhouse

  • Indoor playhouse

  • Causes plays to be written in Act structure

• 1611-1614: Shakespeare retires 

• 1616: Shakespeare dies

• 1623: First Folio Published

  • First collection of all the plays published

• 1642: Puritans shut down theatres 

• Theaters: 

  • Starts at The Theater which is owned by Richard Burbage (first permanent playing structure in the area - 1576)

  • 1599: To the Globe (The Rose (The Lord Admiral's Men) was the rival and stunk of pee (which the Globe didn’t))

  • 1608: Acquires Black Friars indoor theater

  • 1613 Globe burns down, moved to 

  • 1642: Puritans Close the Theatre because of the English Civil War

• Patron system to be legitimized  

• Richard Burbage: Main actor in the Lord Chamberlain’s/King's Men. 

  • Shakespeare wrote roles specifically for him 

Stage Set up

• ¾ Thrust Stage

• Balcony

• Three doors on main stage/ Discovery space

• “The heavens”/”hell”

• Universal Lighting

  • Made by the sun

• Blackfriars: Candle lighting 

Terms:

• Stage directions 

• Catharsis

  • the effects of tragedy on the audience. 

• Dramaturgy 

  • Orientation of events in a play/ structure 

• Dramatic Irony

  • Where the audience knows something that a character doesn’t

• Speech Prefix

  • A shortened name of a character in a play that appears before each of their lines

• Company 

  • ex.) Lord Chamberlain’s Men

• Patron

  • Authorized and legitimized the play companies

• Repertory

  •  The fact that Shakespeare 

•  Boy Actor

  • Boy actors played women in plays

  • No women actors

• Scene, act,  monologue, soliloquy

• An aside 

  • Spoken either to another character on stage without other actors hearing, or only to the audience and the other characters don’t hear

• Folio, Quarto 1, Quarto 2

  • Quarto: a book made from a large sheet of paper folded in half TWICE

    • Most plays printed in this form 

  • Folio: only folded ONCE

    • Reserved for important texts like Bibles and Kingswords?

• Foulpaper, Fair Copy, Licensed Copy

  • Foulpaper: an author's working drafts

  • Fair copy: final, corrected transcription of author’s original working drafts

• Memorial Reconstruction

  • People reconstruct plays from memory or notes. 

  • Not official

• Cue Scripts

  • Only have the actors lines, stage directions, and the cue line before you speak

• Prose

  • Everyday language

  • Not in verse

• Verse

  • Constructed by meter and rhyme scheme

• Iambic   

  • Unstressed syllable followed by stressed syllable                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

• Iambic Pentameter 

  • Five iterations of iamb in a line of verse 

  • eg.) I am a pirate with a wooden leg 

• Blank verse 

  • Regular meter but with not rhyming

1. King Richard II

Description:
Richard II is the protagonist of the play, a young and somewhat ineffective king. He is deeply sensitive, somewhat self-absorbed, and prone to poor decision-making, which causes him to lose the loyalty of his nobles. His inability to manage both his kingdom and his personal relationships leads to his downfall, as he is eventually overthrown by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke. His tragic arc explores themes of kingship, authority, and the nature of power.

Famous Quotes:

• “I have wasted time, and now doth time waste me.”
  (Act 1, Scene 2) – Richard reflects on his ineffective rule and the consequences of his actions.

• “This royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle, / This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, / This other Eden, demi-paradise, / This fortress built by nature for herself, / Against the envy of less happier lands, / This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.”
  (Act 2, Scene 1) – Richard’s impassioned description of England, right before he loses it.

• “For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground / And tell sad stories of the death of kings.”
  (Act 3, Scene 2) – Richard reflecting on the fragility of kingship, foreshadowing his own fall.

2. Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV)

Description:
Bolingbroke is Richard II’s cousin and the play’s antagonist. Initially exiled by Richard, Bolingbroke returns to reclaim his inheritance and eventually challenges Richard for the throne. His rise to power is marked by political shrewdness and military strength. After Richard’s deposition, Bolingbroke becomes King Henry IV, ushering in a new era for England. His character embodies themes of legitimacy, justice, and the tension between personal ambition and public duty.

Famous Quotes:

• “For God’s sake, let us sit upon the ground / And tell sad stories of the death of kings.”
  (Act 3, Scene 2) – A moment where Bolingbroke contemplates the instability of power.

• “I am the King of England now.”
  (Act 5, Scene 5) – Bolingbroke declares his ascension to the throne after Richard’s downfall.

3. John of Gaunt

Description:
John of Gaunt is Richard’s uncle and Bolingbroke’s father. He is an older, wise, and loyal nobleman, deeply critical of Richard's rule, especially Richard’s extravagance and mismanagement of the kingdom. Gaunt’s death early in the play sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to Richard’s downfall and Bolingbroke’s rise to the throne. His famous speech about England serves as a poignant commentary on the nation's decline.

Famous Quotes:

• “This England that was wont to conquer others / Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.”
  (Act 2, Scene 1) – Gaunt’s famous lament on England’s political and moral decline under Richard’s rule.

• “That England that was wont to conquer others / Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.”
  (Act 2, Scene 1) – A line expressing Gaunt’s frustration with Richard’s leadership and the state of the kingdom.

4. Duke of York

Description:
The Duke of York is Richard’s uncle and Bolingbroke’s other uncle. He is caught between loyalty to his nephew Richard and his duty to his brother Gaunt’s family. The Duke of York’s indecision leads to his political and personal struggles throughout the play. Ultimately, his decision to support Bolingbroke marks the end of Richard’s reign.

Famous Quotes:

• “But that I am a subject of the continent / And all my subjects are but as the wind.”
  (Act 3, Scene 2) – York’s expression of his powerless position in the conflict between Richard and Bolingbroke.

• “Your heart is big, but your head is small.”
  (Act 2, Scene 3) – York’s criticism of Richard’s leadership.

5. Duchess of Gloucester

Description:
The widow of the Duke of Gloucester (Richard’s uncle, who was mysteriously murdered). She seeks revenge against Richard for her husband's death and is vocal in criticizing his rule. Her role underscores the political unrest and the personal vendettas that fuel the rebellion against Richard.

Famous Quotes:

• “I will not be a judge of the land, / But I shall be a witness in the court of England.”
  (Act 1, Scene 2) – The Duchess’s resolve to fight for justice for her husband’s death.

6. Aumerle (Duke of Aumerle)

Description:
The Duke of Aumerle is the son of the Duke of York and plays a secondary role in the plot. Initially loyal to Richard, Aumerle eventually switches his allegiance to Bolingbroke. His vacillation and internal conflict are significant in showing the complex loyalties during this turbulent period of English history.

Famous Quotes:

• “I’ll have none of that. / I’ll have none of you.”
  (Act 4, Scene 1) – Aumerle’s reflection on his changing loyalties.

7. The Bishop of Carlisle

Description:
The Bishop of Carlisle is a staunch supporter of Richard II. He opposes the deposition of Richard, believing that it would go against divine will. His role represents the religious and spiritual aspect of the political struggle. He remains loyal to Richard until the end of the play.

Famous Quotes:

• “What’s here? / The royals appear to be divisive. They will split England.”
  (Act 3, Scene 2) – A direct reflection of the political tension surrounding Richard's reign.

8. Queen Isabel

Description:
Queen Isabel is Richard II’s wife. While her role in the play is minor, she symbolizes Richard’s loss of power and the personal cost of his political decisions. Her presence highlights Richard’s vulnerability as he faces the end of his reign.

Famous Quotes:

• “I cannot call it love, I can only call it loyalty.”
  (Act 5, Scene 5) – Isabel’s reflection on her relationship with Richard after his fall.

9. Sir Stephen Scroop, Sir Roger Acton, and others

Description:
These are various nobles involved in the political intrigue and rebellion against Richard II. They all play supporting roles in the plot to overthrow Richard and install Bolingbroke as king.

Famous Quotes:

• “It is not now in our hands to ask, / It is in the hands of the king.”
  (Act 4, Scene 1) – Reflecting on the futility of the old regime and the changing power structure.

Famous Quotes from Richard II

1. King Richard II (Act 1, Scene 2):
   “I have wasted time, and now doth time waste me.”
   – Richard reflects on his misrule and the consequences of his ineffective leadership.

2. John of Gaunt (Act 2, Scene 1):
   “This royal throne of kings, this sceptered isle, / This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, / This other Eden, demi-paradise, / This fortress built by nature for herself, / Against the envy of less happier lands, / This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.”
   – Gaunt’s emotional speech on England’s greatness, just before he dies.

3. King Richard II (Act 3, Scene 2):
   “For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground / And tell sad stories of the death of kings.”
   – Richard reflects on the fragility of power, foreshadowing his own fall.

4. Henry Bolingbroke (Act 5, Scene 5):
   “I am the King of England now.”
   – Bolingbroke’s declaration after Richard is deposed and he ascends the throne.

5. Aumerle (Act 4, Scene 1):
   “Your heart is big, but your head is small.”
   – York’s critique of Richard’s poor judgment and leadership.

Merchant of Venice:

1. Shylock

Description:
Shylock is a Jewish moneylender who is one of the play’s most complex and controversial characters. His bitterness toward Christians, especially Antonio, stems from past grievances and personal losses. Shylock demands a pound of Antonio’s flesh as collateral for a loan, leading to the play's central conflict. Some interpretations view Shylock as a villain, while others see him as a tragic figure who faces discrimination and prejudice.

Famous Quotes:

• “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?”
  (Act 3, Scene 1) – Shylock’s famous speech expressing his humanity and his response to the mistreatment of Jews.

• “The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, / Is dearly bought; ’tis mine and I will have it.”
  (Act 4, Scene 1) – Shylock’s demand for the pound of flesh as part of his contract with Antonio.

2. Antonio

Description:
Antonio is a wealthy merchant in Venice who is best friends with Bassanio. At the start of the play, he is melancholic, and much of the play revolves around his bond with Shylock, as he borrows money from Shylock to help Bassanio. His willingness to sign the contract with Shylock sets the stage for the central conflict of the play.

Famous Quotes:

• “The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, / Is dearly bought; ’tis mine and I will have it.”
  (Act 4, Scene 1) – Shylock’s famous speech expressing his humanity and his response to the mistreatment of Jews.

• "I am as unfortunate in love as I am in money."
  (Act 1, Scene 1) – Antonio lamenting his melancholy, which leads him to an unstable financial situation.

3. Bassanio

Description:
Bassanio is a young Venetian nobleman, Antonio’s best friend, and the suitor of Portia. He is charming and well-meaning but often financially irresponsible. He borrows money from Shylock to finance his courtship of Portia, whom he hopes to marry.

Famous Quotes:

• “To you, Antonio, / I owe the most in money and in love.”
  (Act 1, Scene 1) – Bassanio expressing his gratitude to Antonio.

4. Portia

Description:
Portia is a wealthy heiress who lives in Belmont. She is intelligent, resourceful, and capable of disguising herself as a male lawyer to save Antonio’s life. Though bound by her father’s will to marry whoever chooses the correct casket, she ultimately falls in love with Bassanio and is a key figure in the play’s resolution.

Famous Quotes:

• “The quality of mercy is not strain'd; / It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven / Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: / It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”
  (Act 4, Scene 1) – Portia’s famous speech on mercy, given while she is disguised as a lawyer.

• “How far are we from Venice?”
  (Act 3, Scene 2) – Portia’s lines that reflect her intelligence as she engages in the trial scene.

5. Nerissa

Description:
Nerissa is Portia’s maid and confidante. She is loyal and supportive of Portia throughout the play, and like Portia, she is also involved in a subplot where she marries Gratiano. Nerissa assists Portia in her disguise during the trial.

Famous Quotes:

• “My gentle lady, / When I did first impart my love to you, / I freely told you all my purpose.”
  (Act 3, Scene 2) – Nerissa’s moment of honesty with Portia.

6. Gratiano

Description:
Gratiano is Bassanio’s friend and Nerissa’s eventual husband. He is loud, witty, and often acts as a comic foil to the more serious characters. Gratiano’s behavior contrasts with the melancholy nature of Antonio and the romantic character of Bassanio.

Famous Quotes:

• “I’ll do my best / To keep my promise, and take my fortune.”
  (Act 3, Scene 2) – Gratiano’s line after marrying Nerissa.

7. Lorenzo

Description:
Lorenzo is Bassanio’s friend and the suitor of Jessica, Shylock’s daughter. He elopes with Jessica, abandoning her father’s house, and is a significant character in the subplot involving the relationship between the two lovers.

Famous Quotes:

• “How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! / Here will we sit and let the sounds of music / Creep in our ears.”
  (Act 5, Scene 1) – Lorenzo's romantic musings on the beauty of the night.

8. Jessica

Description:
Jessica is Shylock’s daughter, who falls in love with Lorenzo. She elopes with him, converting to Christianity and stealing from her father in the process. Her actions contribute to Shylock’s anger and to the play’s central conflict.

Famous Quotes:

• “Alack, what heinous sin is it in me / To be ashamed to be my father’s child!”
  (Act 2, Scene 3) – Jessica's lament as she prepares to leave her father’s house.

9. Launcelot Gobbo

Description:
Launcelot is a clownish servant to Shylock who later switches his allegiance to Bassanio. He provides much of the comic relief in the play and is known for his witty remarks and humorous situations.

Famous Quotes:

• “Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master.”
  (Act 2, Scene 2) – Launcelot deciding to leave Shylock’s service.

10. The Duke of Venice

Description:
The Duke is the presiding authority in Venice, overseeing the trial between Shylock and Antonio. Although he is sympathetic to Antonio, he ultimately defers to the disguised Portia when it comes to the legal proceedings.

Famous Quotes:

• “The Jew shall have all justice; soft! / The Jew shall have justice.”
  (Act 4, Scene 1) – The Duke initially supporting Shylock’s claim.

11. Tubal

Description:
Tubal is a Jewish friend of Shylock who helps him gather news about his daughter, Jessica, and gives Shylock more reasons to be upset with her actions.

Famous Quotes:

• “I have searched the world; I have certain news from him. / He hath his two of them, and his daughter hath her”
  (Act 3, Scene 1) – Tubal discussing Jessica’s elopement with Shylock.

Famous Quotes from The Merchant of Venice

1. Shylock (Act 1, Scene 3):
   “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?”
   – Shylock’s speech on human equality and the mistreatment of Jews.

2. Portia (Act 4, Scene 1):
   “The quality of mercy is not strain’d; / It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven / Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: / It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”
   – Portia’s plea for mercy during the trial.

3. Gratiano (Act 1, Scene 1):
   “Why, this bond is forfeit; / And lawfully by this the Jew may claim / A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off / Nearest the merchant’s heart.”
   – Gratiano’s statement about the consequences of Antonio’s bond with Shylock.

4. Antonio (Act 4, Scene 1):
   “The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, / Is dearly bought; ’tis mine and I will have it.”
   – Shylock’s insistence on taking Antonio’s pound of flesh.

5. Bassanio (Act 3, Scene 2):
   “You see me, Lord Bassanio, where I stand / With my wife, my children, and my fortune.”
   – Bassanio's line as he talks about his wife, Portia.

1. Othello

Description:
Othello is the Moorish general of the Venetian army. He is a noble and honorable man, but his insecurities about his race and status make him vulnerable to manipulation. Throughout the play, Othello’s jealousy and distrust, fueled by Iago’s deceit, lead him to tragically murder his wife, Desdemona, before realizing the truth.

Famous Quotes:

• “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on.”
  (Act 3, Scene 3) – Iago warning Othello about jealousy, though it’s part of his manipulation.

• “I am not what I am.”
  (Act 1, Scene 1) – Othello's statement reflecting his internal conflict and vulnerability to deceit.

• “Then you must speak / Of one that loved not wisely but too well.”
  (Act 5, Scene 2) – Othello’s final reflection on his tragic flaw—his excessive love and jealousy.

2. Desdemona

Description:
Desdemona is Othello’s wife, a noblewoman of Venice. She is beautiful, intelligent, and devoted to her husband. Her marriage to Othello defies societal expectations, and her innocence and fidelity become central to the play’s tragic events. She is wrongfully accused of infidelity by Othello, which leads to her tragic death.

Famous Quotes:

• “I do not think there is any such woman. / I know not by what put I am made, but I am certain.”
  (Act 4, Scene 3) – Desdemona defending her own virtue and innocence.

• “My heart is full of love and my soul / Finds peace with Othello.”
  (Act 2, Scene 1) – Desdemona's declaration of love for Othello.

• “I will not wear a widow's weed / And be sad at your departure.”
  (Act 1, Scene 3) – Desdemona’s loyalty and devotion to Othello.

3. Iago

Description:
Iago is Othello’s ensign and the primary antagonist of the play. He is manipulative, deceitful, and driven by personal vendettas. Iago feels slighted by Othello for promoting Cassio over him and seeks revenge by orchestrating Othello’s downfall. He is a master of manipulation and deceit, turning those around him against each other.

Famous Quotes:

• “I am not what I am.”
  (Act 1, Scene 1) – Iago’s famous line that hints at his deceptive nature.

• “I hate the Moor. / And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets / He has done my office.”
  (Act 1, Scene 3) – Iago’s initial motive for his revenge against Othello, rooted in jealousy.

• “Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, / Is the immediate jewel of their souls. / Who steals my purse steals trash; ’tis something, nothing; / ‘Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands; / But he that filches from me my good name / Robs me of that which not enriches him / And makes me poor indeed.”
  (Act 3, Scene 3) – Iago’s speech on reputation and honor, which he uses to manipulate Othello.

4. Cassio

Description:
Cassio is Othello’s loyal and honorable lieutenant, whom Othello promotes in the first act of the play. Iago, jealous of Cassio’s position, manipulates events to make Othello believe that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona. Cassio’s good nature contrasts with Iago’s maliciousness, and he eventually seeks to clear his name.

Famous Quotes:

• “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation, Iago, my reputation!”
  (Act 2, Scene 3) – Cassio’s lament after being dishonored and losing his position.

• “I never knew a man who was a good officer, and a good man.”
  (Act 4, Scene 1) – Cassio speaks of his loyalty and commitment to the military.

5. Emilia

Description:
Emilia is Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s maid. She is loyal to Desdemona and is instrumental in revealing Iago’s treachery in the play’s final act. Emilia’s character is complex, as she unknowingly aids Iago in his plan but later exposes him, showing her integrity and strength.

Famous Quotes:

• “Let heaven and men and devils, let them all, / All, all, cry shame against me, yet I’ll speak.”
  (Act 5, Scene 2) – Emilia’s courage to reveal Iago’s villainy after Desdemona’s death.

• “The world’s a huge thing. It is a great price for a small vice.”
  (Act 4, Scene 3) – Emilia’s commentary on the complexity of human nature.

6. Roderigo

Description:
Roderigo is a wealthy Venetian who is in love with Desdemona. He becomes one of Iago’s pawns in his scheme to bring down Othello. Roderigo is easily manipulated by Iago, who convinces him that he can win Desdemona’s affection if he assists in the plot against Othello.

Famous Quotes:

• “I will do all my best to win your favor.”
  (Act 1, Scene 1) – Roderigo’s eagerness to please Iago and win Desdemona.

• “I have no great devotion to the deed, / And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons.”
  (Act 5, Scene 1) – Roderigo’s regret and confusion as he follows Iago’s manipulations.

7. Brabantio

Description:
Brabantio is Desdemona’s father, a Venetian nobleman who is shocked and outraged when he learns of Desdemona’s secret marriage to Othello. He accuses Othello of using witchcraft to win his daughter’s love, though his anger is also rooted in racism and his inability to accept his daughter’s choice of a Moorish husband.

Famous Quotes:

• “She has deceived her father, and may thee.”
  (Act 1, Scene 3) – Brabantio’s warning to Othello about Desdemona’s potential for deceit.

Famous Quotes from Othello

1. Othello (Act 3, Scene 3):
   “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on.”
   – Iago warning Othello of jealousy, though it’s part of his manipulation.

2. Iago (Act 1, Scene 1):
   “I am not what I am.”
   – Iago’s line, revealing his deceitful and duplicitous nature.

3. Desdemona (Act 4, Scene 3):
   “My heart is full of love and my soul / Finds peace with Othello.”
   – Desdemona expresses her unwavering devotion to Othello.

4. Emilia (Act 5, Scene 2):
   “Let heaven and men and devils, let them all, / All, all, cry shame against me, yet I’ll speak.”
   – Emilia’s powerful declaration as she exposes Iago’s deceit.

5. Cassio (Act 2, Scene 3):
   “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial.”
   – Cassio’s lamentation over his lost reputation.

6. Othello (Act 5, Scene 2):
   “Then you must speak / Of one that loved not wisely but too well.”
   – Othello’s tragic recognition of his flaw—his excessive love and jealousy.