““Taming of the Shrew”Taming of the Shrew”by William Shakespeareby William Shakespeare

“…“…and turn you from a wild and turn you from a wild Kate…”Kate…”

What is the difference between What is the difference between drama and other literature?drama and other literature?

Def: A story acted out, usually on Def: A story acted out, usually on a stage, by actors and a stage, by actors and actresses –though not during actresses –though not during Shakespeare’s time—who Shakespeare’s time—who take the parts of specific take the parts of specific characters.characters.

Drama is much more a Drama is much more a partnership between the writer partnership between the writer and actors/director than any and actors/director than any other form of literature. Drama other form of literature. Drama is meant to be seen not read. is meant to be seen not read.

Two Types of Acting: Two Types of Acting:

Directed acting: In this form of acting, a Directed acting: In this form of acting, a director dictates that actions and director dictates that actions and movements of the actor. The movements of the actor. The play/film is the creation of the play/film is the creation of the director. director.

Method Acting: In this form of acting the Method Acting: In this form of acting the actor becomes a character. The actor becomes a character. The actor understands what the actor understands what the character’s emotions at any given character’s emotions at any given point are and calls on those point are and calls on those emotions in order to portray the emotions in order to portray the character to the audience. character to the audience.

Good Shakespearean actors are Good Shakespearean actors are masters of Method Acting. masters of Method Acting.

Unique Elements in DramaUnique Elements in Drama

Drama generally leaves less to the Drama generally leaves less to the imagination than other forms of literature. imagination than other forms of literature.

Set design.Set design. Costumes.Costumes. Annunciation. Annunciation. Character movements. Character movements.

Are all dictated by the actors/director/writer Are all dictated by the actors/director/writer far more in drama than in other forms of far more in drama than in other forms of literature. literature.

Ironically, Shakespeare gives us very little Ironically, Shakespeare gives us very little direction in this area. direction in this area.

-Shakespeare Focus Questions--Shakespeare Focus Questions-

How could Shakespeare’s audience have How could Shakespeare’s audience have understood his plays better than we do? understood his plays better than we do?

Why does Shakespeare write in the way Why does Shakespeare write in the way he does?he does?

What makes a comedy, tragedy, or a What makes a comedy, tragedy, or a history for Shakespeare? history for Shakespeare?

Shakespeare Life and TimesShakespeare Life and Times

Born: 1564 Died: 1616Born: 1564 Died: 1616 Born and Lived in Born and Lived in

Stratford-upon-AvonStratford-upon-Avon Married Anne Hathaway Married Anne Hathaway

(1582) had twins in 1585. (1582) had twins in 1585. Sometime between 1585 Sometime between 1585 and 1592 moved to and 1592 moved to London to work in Theater. London to work in Theater. Lived in London for most Lived in London for most of the next 20 years. of the next 20 years.

His PlaysHis Plays 38 plays can be certainly attributed to 38 plays can be certainly attributed to

Shakespeare. Shakespeare. 14 Comedies (End in Marriages)14 Comedies (End in Marriages) 10 Tragedies (End in Death)10 Tragedies (End in Death) 10 Histories (Most dealing with The War 10 Histories (Most dealing with The War

of the Roses)of the Roses) 4 Romances (Based on Romantic/Epic 4 Romances (Based on Romantic/Epic

Poems)Poems) Likely wrote three others. Likely wrote three others. All his plays center on a central question All his plays center on a central question

and explore this throughout.and explore this throughout. Henry V: What makes a good king?Henry V: What makes a good king? Romeo and Juliet: Love or Lust? Romeo and Juliet: Love or Lust? Merchant of Venice: The Corrupting Merchant of Venice: The Corrupting

Influences of Money.Influences of Money.

Shakespeare’s Language…Shakespeare’s Language…

Shakespeare did Shakespeare did notnot write in “Old English.” write in “Old English.”

Old English is the Language of Beowolf.Old English is the Language of Beowolf.Hwæt. We Gardena    in gear-dagum, Hwæt. We Gardena    in gear-dagum, þeodcyninga,     þrym gefrunon, þeodcyninga,     þrym gefrunon, hu ða æþelingas     ellen fremedon. hu ða æþelingas     ellen fremedon.

What. We of the Spear-Danes  in old daysWhat. We of the Spear-Danes  in old days of the people-kings,    power heard, of the people-kings,    power heard, how the princes    brave deeds did. how the princes    brave deeds did. Click Click

AboveAbove for Old- for Old- EnglishEnglish

Shakespeare’s Language Cont…Shakespeare’s Language Cont…

Shakespeare did not write in “Middle English.”Shakespeare did not write in “Middle English.”

Middle English is the language of Chaucer. Middle English is the language of Chaucer. Whan that Aprill, with his shoures sooteThe droghte of March hath perced to the rooteAnd bathed every veyne in swich licour,Of which vertu engendred is the flour…Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages.

When in April the sweet showers fallThat pierce March's drought to the root and allAnd bathed every vein in liquor that has powerTo generate therein and sire the flower…Then folk do long to go on pilgrimage.

Click for Middle English

Shakespeare’s Language Cont…Shakespeare’s Language Cont…

Shakespeare wrote in Early Modern English. Shakespeare wrote in Early Modern English.

Shakespeare “Coined” many words we still use today: Shakespeare “Coined” many words we still use today: Critical Critical Majestic Majestic DwindleDwindle

He also gave us many common phrases: He also gave us many common phrases: One fell swoop. One fell swoop. Flesh and blood. Flesh and blood. Vanish into thin air. Vanish into thin air.

His language was understood by the lowest peasant and highest nobility. His language was understood by the lowest peasant and highest nobility.

Shakespeare’s Language is affected by his audience and world. Shakespeare’s Language is affected by his audience and world.

Can I understand Shakespeare’s Can I understand Shakespeare’s Language?Language?

Remember: People are people are people. Remember: People are people are people.

Refer to the “I don’t understand Shakespeare” SheetRefer to the “I don’t understand Shakespeare” Sheet

Elizabethan TheaterElizabethan Theater

No Electricity No Electricity Open RoofOpen RoofNo women No women

allowed on allowed on stagestage

Minimal Minimal costumes and costumes and props. props.

The Globe

Controls the language!

Example of ThisExample of This

But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,Who is already sick and pale with griefWho is already sick and pale with griefThat thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she.

Remember

•Its light out.

•Juliet is played by a boy.

The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night,Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light,And flecked darkness like a drunkard reelsFrom forth day’s path and Titan’s fiery wheels:Now, ere the sun advance his burning eye,The day to cheer and night’s dank dew to dry

Remember:

No Roof, the Balcony scene was just done in daylight.

How Could Shakespeare’s How Could Shakespeare’s Audience Understand?Audience Understand?

Shakespeare NEVER created an original story. Shakespeare NEVER created an original story.

Instead he retold old stories, audiences wanted Instead he retold old stories, audiences wanted to see what twists he would add to their old to see what twists he would add to their old favorites. favorites.

When reading Shakespeare, you should When reading Shakespeare, you should familiarize yourself with the story before you familiarize yourself with the story before you begin. begin.

The Story…The Story…

Baptista and his Baptista and his daughtersdaughtersBiancaBiancaKatharinaKatharina

The Elderly gentsThe Elderly gentsHortensioHortensioGremioGremio

From out of town…From out of town…

Lucentio and his Lucentio and his “gang”“gang”TranioTranioBiondelloBiondello

Petruchio and his Petruchio and his main man Grumio main man Grumio

Essential Drama TerminologyEssential Drama Terminology

Allusion Allusion Aside Aside Dramatic irony Dramatic irony Exeunt Exeunt Situational Irony Situational Irony Hyperbole Hyperbole

Omission Omission Rhetorical Rhetorical

question question Refrain Refrain Monologue Monologue Oxymoron Oxymoron Pun Pun