View
6.568
Download
8
Category
Tags:
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
Citation preview
Renaissance Drama
and Shakespeare
A Medieval European village
The Middle AgesStarted in churches Was very religious in nature
Gradually became less religiousUsed comedyDeus ex machina
The Origins of European Drama
Miracles and Mysteries – taught stories from the Bible and saints’ legends
Moralities – taught people how to live and dieThe Pardoner’s Tale
Interludes – one act playsAllowed playwrights to become knownCreated a foundation for Renaissance
playwrights
Four Types of Plays
Europ
e Europe
Born in Stratford on Avon.Never attended university.
Only formal education was in grammar schoolStudied Latin and Classical literature
Married Anne Hathaway when he was 18 years old.
Together had 3 children – Susanna, and twins Hamnet (boy) and Judith.
William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)
Moved to London to pursue career in the theater.Started out tending to horses of theater
patronsEventually worked his way up to writing plays
Sometimes acted in playsPatron -- The Earl of SouthamptonJoined and became a major
shareholder/principal playwright for Lord Chamberlain’s Men
King James I The King’s Men
Shakespeare…
In 1593, all of the theatres of London closed due to the plague.
The Theater is Closed…
Wrote 37 playsWas most concerned with seeing the play
performed on stageDied comfortably in Stratford as a semi-
retired gentleman Unusual for a playwright36 plays published after his death
The First Folio
Shakespeare’s Success
“The Theater” – first theater ever builtBuilt by the Earl of Leicester’s Men
“The Globe”Shakespeare’s theater
London’s Renaissance Theater
The Globe
Large circular structure, three stories highThatched roofFeatured a raised stageFit around 3,000 peopleDid not have a curtainFeatured shows only during daytimeTheater patrons were permitted to sit on the
stageGeneral admission cost 1 pennyAbove the main entrance "Totus mundus agit
histrionem" (The whole world is a playhouse).
The Globe – Quick Facts
Groundlings – stood at center of theaterStood entire 3 hour performance, rain or shine
Galleries and Upper-levelsMore expensive (2 pennies)Allowed patrons to sit
Two types of theater-goers
“The Heavens”
The Holinshed’s Chronicle – a historical text of the history of England, Scotland and Ireland
Was the inspiration for many of Shakespeare’s plays
Macbeth written in honor of King James I.
Inspiration for Macbeth
Recommended