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William Shakespeare & A Midsummer Night’s Dream

William Shakespeare & A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Meet William Shakespeare. Actor, director, writer and partner in a successful play company Born in Stratford Upon Avon in 1564 (Died 1616) Third of eight children 1582 married Anne Hathaway who was eight years older than Shakespeare

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William Shakespeare & A Midsummer Night’s Dream

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  1. William Shakespeare&A Midsummer Night’s Dream

  2. Meet William Shakespeare • Actor, director, writer and partner in a successful play company • Born in Stratford Upon Avon in 1564 (Died 1616) • Third of eight children • 1582 married Anne Hathaway who was eight years older than Shakespeare • Three children: Susanna, Judith & Hamnet (who died in childhood)

  3. Meet William Shakespeare • Although he was a commoner, Shakespeare became very famous and made a great deal of money • A literary genius whose plays at The Globe Theatre became very popular with people of all walks of life

  4. Meet William Shakespeare • Spent a lot of time away from his family but always sent money to them • Had to live in London • There are many rumors surrounding his writing • Christopher Marlowe • Anne Hathaway • Wrote parts of the King James Bible

  5. The Theatre • Every troupe needed a royal patron • Scenery is minimal • No women • “Groundlings” – cheap tickets • Food and drink can be purchased throughout the performance

  6. Types of Plays • Shakespeare never published his own plays-only wrote scripts • Comedy-main character learns a lesson and falls in love; the villain is usually caught and the hero marries (18) • Tragedy-main character learns a lesson and dies; protagonist is usually of high rank and a character flaw causes their ruin (10)

  7. History-depicts a story from England’s royal past; depicts what constitutes a good king, full of action (10) • Sonnets (154) • Created 2,000 words which means that he has a great impact on contemporary society

  8. Fairies • Forget Tinkerbell and cute winged creatures • In Shakespeare's time, fairies were magical but often mean • Usually deformed in some way • Delight in playing cruel tricks on humans (tunnels collapse, sour milk, turning humans into animals)

  9. Important in the World of Shakespeare • Religion • Natural Order-do not mess with the boss • Expected behavior based on social status • Health determined by 4 main body fluids • Racial Prejudice

  10. Vocabulary • Anon- soon • Brave- courageous or showy • Conceit- conception, imagination or thought • Cousin (coz)- a good friend • Cuckold- husband of an unfaithful wife-the butt of jokes

  11. Vocabulary • Cur – dog (insult) • Fain- gladly • Forsooth – in truth • Gaol- jail • Hap, Haply- perhaps • Hence- away from here • Hither- here

  12. Vocabulary • Mistress- a woman • Sirah- term used to address a boy or man of low station • Tarry- wait • Thence- away from here • Wench- girl or young woman • Whither- where to?

  13. Playing With Words • Puns- have a double meaning • Malapropisms- using a word incorrectly on purpose – to show stupidity • Innuendo- sexual pun-Shakespeare’s favorite kind of joke

  14. Stage Directions • Exeunt – Plural of exit • Flourish – fanfare of drums/trumpets

  15. Format • Iambic pentameter – verses in which every other syllable is stressed and each line contains 5 stressed syllables • Quatrain- four line stanza; usually alliteration and rhyme • Soliloquy- monologue that reveals a characters thoughts & feelings

  16. People in the Play • Kings/Royalty • Common Folk • Fools & Clowns • Fairies, Witches, Ghosts • Lovers & Warriors

  17. Drama 5 Act Structure • 1-introduces the characters and sets up the story, characters, themes Rising Action • 2-Complications & difficulties introduced, tells more about the characters (in a comedy, there is usually some confusion) Rising Action • 3-the pivotal act; confusion is at a maximum but you can see how it will be resolved Climax

  18. Drama 5 Act Structure • 4-the action unfolds and the heroes plans collide with the villains, resolution Falling Action • 5-brings all the pieces together, lessons are learned and lovers get married Falling Action

  19. Why is Shakespeare Still Being Read? • The struggles of Shakespeare’s characters are still relevant today • People still fall in and out of love • People still scheme for power • People still betray their friends • People still wonder what might have been

  20. William Shakespeare is the greatest writer in the history of the English language. So….Why does everyone talk so weird?!

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