William Shakespeare

“Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more." William Shakespeare “It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. "

William Shakespeare • Probably April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Baptized on April 26, 1564. • Married Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant with their daughter Susanna, when he was 18. • Had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died at age 11. • Began performing with the acting company the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later called the King’s Men) in 1599. • With business partners, constructed the Globe theatre. • Wrote 37 plays and numerous sonnets. • Died April 23, 1616.

The Globe Theater Reconstructed in the 1990s

See pages 284-285 in Elements of Literature book for detailed diagram

In plays during this time… • 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

The Cost of a Show • 1 shilling to stand • 2 shillings to sit in the balcony • 1 shilling was 10% of their weekly income

Tragedy

Tragedy • A tragedy is a literary work depicting serious events in which the main character, who is often high-ranking and dignified, comes to an unhappy end.

ElementsofTragedy • Tragic Hero • Tragic Flaw, or Hamartia • Hubris • Catastrophe • Catharsis

TragicHero • “Man of high standard who falls from that high because of a flaw that has affected many” –Aristotle • Protagonist • A tragic hero is neither good nor evil to start. According to Aristotle, a tragic hero should have “a character between these two extremes-that of a man who is not preeminently good and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error in judgment or frailty.”

Hamartia(TragicFlaw) • “The error of great frailty” through which the fortunes of the hero of a tragedy are reversed. • Leads to the tragic hero’s downfall • May be caused by poor judgment, bad character, inherited weakness, or any of several other possible causes of error • Must express itself through a definite action, or failure to perform a definite action • Example: Hubris-excessive pride or confidence

Catastrophe • The conclusion of a tragic play • The final stage in the falling action, ending the dramatic conflict, winding up the plot and consisting of the actions that result from the climax. • Since it is usually used in connection with tragedy and involves the death of the tragic hero, it is sometimes used to designate an unhappy ending

Catharsis • The purging of the emotions experienced by members of the audience • Often, these emotions are pity and/or fear

The Curse!

It is believed to be bad luck to speak the word “Macbeth” in a theater. • There have been many horrible occurrences related to this curse. Example: People being accidentally killed onstage

The tragedy of Macbeth • Set in Scotland • Written for King James I (formerly of Scotland, now England) • Queen of Denmark (James’ sister) was visiting • Shakespeare researched The Chronicles - Banquo is an ancestor of King James I

Motifs • Sleep/Sleeplessness • Disturbances in nature • Gender role reversal • Virtue v. Evil • Reason v. Passion

Symbols • Dagger • Bell • Witches • Helmeted head • Bloody child • Crowned child

William Shakespeare