Introduction to Shakespeare

1
Introduction to Shakespeare
2
William Shakespeare

• Born 1564, died 1616
• Wrote 37 plays
• Wrote over 150 sonnets
• Actor, poet, playwright

3
Types of Plays

• Shakespeare wrote
• Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a
  happy ending
• Tragedies serious dramas with disastrous endings
• Histories involve events or persons from history

4
The Theatre

• The Globe Theatre
• Open ceiling
• Three stories high
• No artificial lighting
• Plays were shown during daylight hours only

5
Spectators

• Wealthy people got to sit on benches
• The poor (called groundlings) had to stand and
  watch from the courtyard
• There was much more audience participation than
  today

6
Actors

• Only men and boys
• Young boys whose voices had not changed played
  the womens roles
• It would have been indecent for a woman to appear
  on stage

7
Romeo and Juliet

• Considered a tragedy
• Tells the story of two teenagers who risk
  everything for love
• Shakespeare is exploring which is stronger love
  or hate

8
The Montagues
Lord Montague father of Romeo Lady Montague
mother of Romeo Romeo Montague in love with
Juliet Benvolio nephew of Montague and friend
of Romeo Balthasar servant to Romeo Abram
servant to Montague
9
The Capulets

• Lord Capulet father of Juliet
• Lady Capulet mother of Juliet
• Juliet Capulet in love with Romeo
• Tybalt nephew of Lady Capulet
• Nurse takes care of Juliet
• Peter servant to Juliets Nurse

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Other Characters

• Prince Escalus ruler of Verona
• Mercutio kinsman of the Prince and friend of
  Romeo
• Friar Laurence a Franciscan priest
• Friar John another Franciscan priest
• Count Paris a young nobleman

11
Things to think about

• What would you do if your parents did not approve
  of someone you were dating?
• How important is the opinion of your family in
  decisions that you make?
• Does violence solve problems?