William Shakespeare's World

1. William Shakespeare's World “What’s done cannot be undone…” And the tragedy of Macbeth

2. The Man Known as William Shakespeare • Lived April 1564 – April 1616 in England • Married in 1582 and had 3 children • Around 1590, he left family and went to London (actor & playwright) • Favored by Elizabeth I (ruled 1558 – 1603) & James I (ruled 1603 – 1625) • Elizabeth I and James I were patrons of Shakespeare’s acting company and of all the plays Shakespeare wrote during their reigns • Wrote 39 plays and 154 sonnets

3. The Mysteries • Not much is known about Shakespeare’s life because of the lack of biographical information • Did he really write all those plays and sonnets? • Francis Bacon and the Earl of Oxford are most suspected of being the real writers • Had a modest education therefore it is believed he simply wasn’t smart enough • However, most Shakespearean scholars believe Shakespeare is the true author

4. A History Lesson • Wrote during the Renaissance and the Elizabethan period • Renaissance: “the activity, spirit, or time of the great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe beginning in the 14th century and extending to the 17th century, marking the transition from the medieval to the modern world” (source: dictionary.com) • Elizabeth I was a big part of how/when/why the arts and literature flourished during this time; she enjoyed everything about the arts • Drama was the principal form of literature during this age and plays became more secular (about real life) • Primarily written for the entertainment of the court

5. The Globe • The Globe was originally built in 1597 -1598 in London (on the south side of town) • 3 tiers of gallery • Brothel and gambling houses in the area • Huge success!!! • Shakespeare had a stake holding in the theater • Plays are used to spread propaganda and shut down • The Globe burns down (accident) in 1613 and rebuilt in 1614, referred to as Globe 2 – back in business! • Puritans demolish the Globe and plays are not allowed to be performed • In 1660, King Charles II allows theaters to open again but the Globe is not rebuilt Rebuilt in the 1990’s in exactly the same way and in the same manner

6. The Groundlings (a.k.a. the commoners) – standing room only – “The Pit” • The Gallery – could sit on a cushion and stay out of the rain • “See and Be Seen Section” – Royalty and Nobility

7. The Cost of a Show • 1 shilling to stand • 2 shillings to sit in the balcony • 1 shilling was 10% of their weekly income • Broadway Today: • Most expensive $129 • Least expensive $69 • 10% of a teacher’s weekly salary

8. When in a play... • Only men were permitted to perform • Boys or effeminate men were used to play the women • Costumes were often the company’s most valuable asset • Costumes were made by the company, bought in London, or donated by courtiers

9. The Language • Shakespeare is written in Early Modern English • Shakespeare’s plays are meant to be acted out and read aloud • Modern English is still changing everyday http://mentalfloss.com/article/52650/what-shakespeare-plays-originally-sounded

10. The tragedy of Macbeth • Written for King James I (formerly of Scotland, now England) in 1606 • Macbeth reflects the relationship b/t Shakespeare and the King (he wanted to impress the King) • Set in Scotland to pay homage to the King’s Scottish heritage • James I is a descendent of Banquo

11. TheTragedyof Macbeth Cont.’d… • Not a very complex play, but it is definitely the most powerful and emotionally intense • Shortest and bloodiest of all of Shakespeare’s tragedies • Issues in text that are still relevant today: peer pressure, the difference between right and wrong, ambition (how far is too far), unhealthy relationships, and suicide • Shakespeare is known for using universal issues that stand the test of time

12. King Duncan of Scotland • Murdered by cousin Macbeth • Honest and good • Malcolm & Donalbain • Sons of the King • Malcolm is the eldest son • Macbeth • Duncan’s most courageous general • Ambition to become king corrupts him causing him to murder Duncan The Characters

13. Banquo • General and Macbeth’s best friend • Suspects Macbeth in Duncan’s murder • An actual ancestor of King James I • Lady Macbeth • As ambitious as her husband • A dark force behind his evil deeds • Macduff • Scottish general, suspects Macbeth of murdering the king • Macbeth has his family murdered • Swears vengeance

14. The Curse!

15. The Scottish Play • It is believed to be bad luck to say the word ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre, even in a whisper • Legend has it you will lose all your friends involved in the production—horribly

16. The Tragic Hero

17. Def. - “Man of high standard who falls from that high because of a flaw that has affected many… The change of fortune should be not from bad to good, but, reversely, from good to bad.” – Poetics by Aristotle • A tragic hero must be: born into nobility, endowed with a tragic flaw, doomed to make an error in judgment, responsible for their own fate, and realize at some point that they have made an irreversible mistake and therefore face and accept death with honor. • Macbeth is one of the most famous examples of the tragic hero

18. So what really happens? • Good guy goes bad • Guy wants power • Married to a pushy control freak • She wants power • Kills people- LOTS of people • Gets power • Gets paranoid (a.k.a. goes crazy) • Ticks off a lot of people • Want more power! Kill! Kill! • Gets what’s coming to him in the end

19. Shakespeare is not as hard as we think…. Even the Animaniacs did it!! Jimmy Neutron does Macbeth in space!!!! • Severus Snape: an example of a tragic hero!!! • The third Harry Potter movie even used lines from Macbeth But most of all…. (next slide)

20. DID IT!!!

21. Best Line! “Life’s but a walking shadow; a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And is heard of no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.” - Act V; s.5