The English Renaissance

1. The English Renaissance • An opulent renaissance of art and culture took place in England during the early 16th and 17th Centuries. • 16th Century=1500s • 17th Century=1600s • Poetry, drama, philosophy, and science flourished during this period.

2. Elizabeth I • Queen of England from 1558 to 1603. • The time of her reign is known as the Elizabethan Era.

3. James I • Succeeded Elizabeth I • Reigned over England until 1625. • The time of his reign is known as the Jacobean Era.

4. William Shakespeare April 23, 1564 (?) - April 23, 1616

5. Early Life • Born in Stratford, England On the banks of the Avon River Son of a glove-maker • Christening – April 26, 1564 • Third of eight children • Nov. 1582- Married Anne Hathaway • 8 years older than he • May 1583 – child Susanna baptized (you do the math) • Living in London (1589)

6. Popular Entertainer • Actor • Director • Writer • Partner • Contemporaries recognized his genius • Modern-day examples of people who act, direct, write, and own: Mel Brooks, Robert Redford, Tyler Perry, Kevin Smith…

7. Business Man • Acting, writing, directing paid the bills • Real wealth – his share of the ticket receipts. • Part owner of the acting company • Part owner of the theater (Globe) (think Houston Astros’ owner) - did send money home to his wife - bought one of the largest homes in Stratford for his family - bought respectability – coat-of-arms

8. Criticisms of Shakespeare • Education was limited - had church bells (not invented until medieval times in Rome) • Didn’t travel and see the world • Never visited Italy; mistakes in plays • Knew little of foreign languages • Commoner • Wrote of intimate details that would have been unknown to him

9. Popular Entertainment • No cinema, no television, no football • Wealthy people hired musicians, actors, dancers and fencers • Everyone else had to find entertainment: In London, it was Theater Today: Go to a movie, then a bar or nightclub Then: Go to a play, then a tavern

10. Wrong Side of the River • The lifestyles of the rich and famous • Fun to watch and read about • Theaters were disreputable • Banned from London • Built outside city limits (across the Thames Rivers) • Southwark (Red-light district) • Prostitutes, charlatans, actors • Women prohibited from acting: immoral • Boys played female characters

11. The Globe • First Globe burned in 1613Second Globe torn down by Puritans in 1644Circular outdoor theater – 100 feet acrossWooden “O”Stage 50x25, jutted out into audienceGroundlings – those who stood on the ground around the stage – paid the leastGalleries – seats that formed the walls of the theater – extra feeBox seats – cost even more3,000 attendeesMost money spent on costumes, not set

12. Understanding Shakespeare • Understanding his world helps to understand his plays

13. Will’s World • Themes Central themes are universal and unchanging • Lust, greed, ambition, jealousy, cowardice, loyalty, honor, love, pride, basic human emotions • Attitudes about royalty and birthright today are different, however.

14. Will’s World • Natural Order (theory) • Kings were kings; peasants were peasants • Born into a class; married within your class; lived your life by your class • Might move up slightly if extremely successful • Social position a consequence of birth

15. Will’s World • Natural Order, continued In practice, change did occur, but large-scale changes invited disaster • Marriages were arranged • Marriages for politics, avoid war, not for love

16. Will’s World • Natural Order, continued • If you mess around with Natural Order, expect earthquakes, plagues, and storms (often an omen in plays) • Kings were to act as kings; servants as servants

17. Will’s World • Natural Order (continued) • God • Angels • Mankind • Kings • Princes • Gentry • Merchant (middle) • Peasants • Slaves • Animals Kings received their right to rule from God; to oppose the king was to oppose God. Plays often centered around desire of dukes, earls, etc. not peasants (upset the natural order too much)

18. Will’s World • Titles of Nobility • King/Queen • Princes/Princess—children of monarch • Duke/Duchess – next highest • Earl, Thane, Count/Countess – ruled a county • Baron/Baroness - “Lord” or “Lady” • Knight – lowest member of aristocracy

19. Will’s World • Nature versus nurture • Some behavior was inborn • Birth fixed your social status and your character traits • Bastards • People of noble birth acted nobly • People born illegitimately acted illegitimately.

20. Will’s World • Religion • In the U.S., separation of church and state • Back then, the two were not easily separated • integral role as background in Will’s plays • Shakespeare was born in a newly protestant country that was rooted in Catholicism • Shakespeare buried in a church, rare for actor

21. Will’s World • Body and Mind • Medicine was simplistic; believed in humors: • Black bile; phlegm; blood, yellow bile • Good health required a balance of the four • Imbalance of the four dictated one’s personality • Melancholic, phlegmatic (lethargic), sanguine (Jovial), or choleric (angry). “He’s in a bad humor.” • Astrology was a part of everyday life • People believed the stars controlled their lives.

22. Will’s World • Racial Prejudice • Not politically correct • Jews, blacks, anyone else who did not fit the English mold faced discrimination • Shakespeare grew up in this environment • Plays reflect the society

23. Shakespeare’s Play Structure • Five Acts • First act: introduces the characters and sets up the story • Second act: expands the story • Third act: pivotal act. • Fourth act: action unfolds; plans collide • Fifth Act: brings all the pieces together; heroes learn their lesson

24. Shakespeare’s Language

25. English • Old English • Anglo/Saxon; German influence • Beowulf

26. Old English5th – 11th Centuries • Hwät! we Gâr-Dena in geâr-dagumþeód-cyninga þrym gefrunon,hû þâ äðelingas ellen fremedon.Oft Scyld Scêfing sceaðena þreátum. • From Beowulf

27. Old English5th – 11th Centuries • Lo! the Spear-Danes' glory through splendid achievements. The folk-kings' former fame we have heard of, How princes displayed then their prowess-in-battle. Oft Scyld the Scefing from scathers in numbers

28. Middle English • Middle English • French influence • William the Conqueror/Battle of Hastings in 1066 • The Canterbury Tales

29. Middle English11th – 15th Centuries • Ye seken lond and see for your wynnynges, As wise folk ye knowen all th'estaat Of regnes; ye been fadres of tydynges And tales, bothe of pees and of debaat. • (The Man of Law's Tale)

30. Middle English11th – 15th Centuries • You seek land and sea for your winnings,As wise folk you know all the estateOf kingdoms; you be fathers of tidings,And tales, both of peace and of debate.

31. Early Modern English • Modern English • Shakespeare’s English is considered Modern but it is still older than today’s version • King James version of the Bible

32. Languages Change • Languages change over time • Word order can be different Only his gift is in devising impossible slanders His only gift is in devising impossible slanders • Words come in/out of use thou; ye; thine • Word meaning changes

33. Formal vs. Familiar • Three different ways to say “you” • You • Thou • Ye How these words are used tells us about the character and relationship

34. Formal vs. Familiar • Thou – informal, used among friends, to address children or servants, God • (think Bible: written for the commoner) • Thou/thee • Dost thou knoweth who speaketh to thee? • Do you know who speaks to you? • You – formal, to address a stranger, or someone of higher station • Ye – plural form (you all; y’all)

35. Formal vs. Familiar • Thy & thine are possessives of thou • Thy before consonants: Thy book • Thine before vowels: Thine apple • Lovers and friends use thou • Thee : used in the objective case • I gave the book to thee.

36. Verbs • Thou art: you are • Thou hast: you have • With thou you add a t, st ,or est to the verb • Thou shalt, thou canst, thou dost, thou knowest, thou wilt • Shakespeare mixes his verbs: • Ist/is; hath/has • Sometime you have to add eth: knoweth

37. Contractions • Is’t is it • ‘t it • ‘tis it is • o’er over • e’er ever • ne’er never • Alter’d altered read the same

38. Common Words • A: he • An, and: if • Anon: soon • Brave: courageous, but also splendid • Conceit: thought • Cousin, coz: relative or close friend • Cuckold: husband of an unfaithful wife • Cur: dog • Fain: gladly • Forsooth: truth

39. Common Words • Gaol: jail • Hap; haply: perhaps • Hence: away from here • Hither: here • Mistress: can be applied to any woman • Sirrah: addresses a man or boy of low station • Tarry: wait • Thence: away from here • Troth: faith • Welkin: sky • Wench: girl or young woman • Wherefore: why • Whither: “where to?”

40. Playing with Words • Puns • double meanings • Malapropisms • Using words incorrectly • Slapstick • Physical humor • Comic Interludes • Funny moments/scenes • Bawdiness • Dirty but not filthy (coarse) • Innuendo • Subtle jokes with a sexual connotation