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Shakespearean Drama

Shakespearean Drama. Chain of Being. The Elizabethan World Picture Elizabethans viewed their world order according to what is called The Chain of Being , much of which worked its way into the literature of the time, including Shakespeare's plays.

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Shakespearean Drama

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  1. Shakespearean Drama

  2. Chain of Being

  3. The Elizabethan World PictureElizabethans viewed their world order according to what is called The Chain of Being, much of which worked its way into the literature of the time, including Shakespeare's plays. • Everything on earth and in the universe is linked in a particular order - everything has its place. • The most heavenly beings are placed at the top of the chain, seated at the foot of God. • The basest creatures are at the bottom, furthest away from God. The best way of envisioning this is probably to think of a ladder

  4. What is a Tragedy?

  5. Tragedy • The protagonists (main characters) must be admirable but flawed characters • =HUMAN The audience must be able to understand and sympathize with the characters

  6. Rising action Exposition Anagorisis Climax Twist of fate Denoument

  7. Exposition • Act 1 Sets the scene and introduces the • Main plot and subplot • Characters and motivations • Principle issues raised in the whole Act revealed • Family dynamics? • Types of power? • Leadership • Male and female roles?

  8. THEMES TO LOOK OUT FOR IN KING LEAR Eyes and Sight Madness and Insanity Civil Disorder Nothing; The poor/poverty The Elements Nature and Nurture Identity Cruelty and Violence Fortune Warmth and Cold • Kingship; Crown • Inheritance; Division; • Justice; • Parents and Children • Ingratitude of children • Love: self-love and false love • Legitimacy • Loyalty; Hospitality

  9. LANGUAGE • Treat language like special effects • Treat language like a voiceover in a film . • Characters overflow with words Special effects

  10. Conflict and Characters Conflict is the dramatic struggle between two forces in a story. Without conflict, there is no plot.

  11. Profile of Gloucester · representative of the old regime: weak, elderly, inert, credulous Good guys Bad Guys

  12. EDMUND Thou, nature, art my goddess. To thy law My services are bound. Wherefore should I Stand in the plague of custom and permit The curiosity of nations to deprive me For that I am some twelve or fourteen moonshines Lag of a brother? Why “bastard”? Wherefore “base”? When my dimensions are as well compact, My mind as generous, and my shape as true As honest madam’s issue? Why brand they us With “base,” with “baseness,” “bastardy,” “base,” “base”— Who in the lusty stealth of nature take More composition and fierce quality Than doth within a dull, stale, tirèd bed Go to th' creating a whole tribe of fops Got ’tween a sleep and wake? Well then, Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land. Our father’s love is to the bastard Edmund As to the legitimate.—Fine word, “legitimate”!— Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed And my invention thrive, Edmund the base Shall top th' legitimate. I grow, I prosper. Now, gods, stand up for bastards!

  13. Profiles of Lear 'bad' characters: Points -Bad Guys

  14. Profiles of Lear 'bad' characters: Points- Good Guys

  15. Profile of Gloucester • Represents the old regime: weak, elderly, inert, credulous • Dramatic role · to head up the minor plot · his fate mirrors Lear's • Historically · represents mindless continuity, · end of an era inertia, • Who are his sons? • What do you know about them?

  16. TRAGIC HERO • Qualities of a Tragic Hero: • Possesses high importance or rank • Exhibits extraordinary talents • Displays a tragic flaw, an error in judgment or defect in character—that leads to downfall

  17. TRAGIC HERO • Knowledge Check • question • What is Lear’stragic flaw or error in judgment? • Do people know of his plan? • How does he go about it?

  18. TRAGIC HERO • Knowledge Check • What is Lear’stragic flaw or error in judgment? • Do people know of his plan? • How does he go about it?

  19. And now… Act I, scene 1 Lear’s Court • Thunder and lightning • Enter Three Witches

  20. The FOOL • Knowledge notes Q- What is the fools role in the play? • He is used to show Lear’s true feelings and highlight Lear’s foolishness • The fool acts as a commentator speking the truth

  21. Fool Kent tries to point out that the fool is telling the truth • All thy other titles thou hast given away; that     thou wast born with. KENT     This is not altogether fool, my lord.

  22. thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown,     when thou gavest thy golden one away. Refers to his royal crown

  23. LEAR DIVIDED HIS KINGDOM BETWEEN GONERIL AND REGAN FoolI marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are:     they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt    have me whipped for lying; and sometimes I am     whipped for holding my peace. I had rather be any     kind o' thing than a fool: and yet I would not be     thee, nuncle; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides,     and left nothing i' the middle:

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