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William Shakespeare's World. William. The Man That Would Be Shakespeare. Born April 23 rd , 1564 Started out performing with “The Lord Chamberlain’s Men”, but he wanted to write Gave him a chance to write a play Became recognized a genius in his own time
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William Shakespeare's World
William The Man That Would Be Shakespeare • Born April 23rd, 1564 • Started out performing with “The Lord Chamberlain’s Men”, but he wanted to write • Gave him a chance to write a play • Became recognized a genius in his own time • Wrote 38 play, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. • His plays have been translated into every major language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
The Globe • Many playwrights with nowhere to “play” • Barn turned into theatre • Puritans burn it down (Evil theater!) • Globe Theater was constructed (but later burned down and reconstructed in 1990’s) • http://virtual.clemson.edu/caah/Shakespr/VRGLOBE/images/globe.mpg
Where did people sit? • Aristocrats … • The Groundlings… http://virtual.clemson.edu/caah/Shakespr/VRGLOBE/images/globe.mpg
About the plays... • Only men were permitted to perform • Young boys were used to play the women. Why? • No real props. No scenery. • Plays performed during the day because daylight was only source of light. • Costumes were sometimes elaborate and mostly consisted of unwanted clothing donated by wealthy
The tragedy of Macbeth • Set in Scotland • Written for King James I • Shakespeare’s play is based on a real Macbeth, but his story is different
Scotland in the time of Macbeth: • In eleventh century the country was in a state of constant change • Exciting and treacherous • Warring families and clans battled to control land and trade • Each side was led by a thane who’s castle became an important power base.
The government: • Consisted of a king and his immediate council • Warlords and church leaders • Murder was committed frequently, often for political reasons. Revenge killings were common. • Succession: Often a king’s son would be the heir to the throne. • If for some reason the country saw him “unfit” (to young, unhealthy, or corrupt) the king or the council could appoint a new leader