William William ShakespeareShakespeare

He was not of an age, but for all time! -Ben Jonson

About BillyAbout Billy Born on April 23, 1564 in Born on April 23, 1564 in

Stratford-on-AvonStratford-on-Avon Married Anne Hathaway Married Anne Hathaway

in 1582. in 1582. On marriage cert. On marriage cert. his name is spelled “Shags-his name is spelled “Shags-spere”. Not kidding.spere”. Not kidding.

She was likely pregnant at She was likely pregnant at the time, as were up to 40% the time, as were up to 40% of brides in that part of of brides in that part of England at the time.England at the time.

Children: Susanna Children: Susanna (1583), twins Hamnet & (1583), twins Hamnet & Judith (1585)Judith (1585)

Moved to London by Moved to London by 15921592

Long affiliated with Long affiliated with Lord Lord Chamberlain’s MenChamberlain’s Men

Company began Company began performing in the Globe in performing in the Globe in 15991599

Was not concerned with Was not concerned with preservation of workspreservation of works

Number of plays printed Number of plays printed during his life: 18during his life: 18

No certain chronology of No certain chronology of writings or performanceswritings or performances

Shakespeare or ShakspeShakespeare or Shakspe We are not sure how best to spell his name- We are not sure how best to spell his name-

but then neither, it appears, was he, for the but then neither, it appears, was he, for the name is never spelled the same way twice name is never spelled the same way twice in the signatures that survive: Willm in the signatures that survive: Willm Shaksp, William Shakespe, Wm Shakspe, Shaksp, William Shakespe, Wm Shakspe, William Shakespere, Willm, Shakspere, and William Shakespere, Willm, Shakspere, and William Shakspeare.William Shakspeare.

Curiously, one spelling he didn’t use was Curiously, one spelling he didn’t use was the one now universally attached to his the one now universally attached to his name.*name.*

According to one estimate 70% of men and According to one estimate 70% of men and 90% of women could not even sign their 90% of women could not even sign their own names at the time.own names at the time.

*Many of the following slides come from Bill Bryson’s Book: *Many of the following slides come from Bill Bryson’s Book: ShakespeareShakespeare

Shakespeare or ShakspeShakespeare or Shakspe

It is perhaps worth noting that the It is perhaps worth noting that the spelling we all use is not the one spelling we all use is not the one endorsed by the endorsed by the Oxford English Oxford English DictionaryDictionary, which prefers , which prefers “Shakspere”“Shakspere”

Language of the TimeLanguage of the Time

Some 12,000 words entered the Some 12,000 words entered the language between 1500 and 1650, language between 1500 and 1650, about half of them still in use today, about half of them still in use today, and old words were employed in and old words were employed in ways that had not been tried before.ways that had not been tried before.

Spelling was variable…a dictionary Spelling was variable…a dictionary published in 1604, published in 1604, A Table A Table Alphabeticall of Hard WordsAlphabeticall of Hard Words, spelled , spelled “words” two ways on the title page.“words” two ways on the title page.

Shakespeare’s WordsShakespeare’s WordsHe coined-or to be more carefully He coined-or to be more carefully

precise, made the first recorded use precise, made the first recorded use of- 2,035 words.of- 2,035 words.

HamletHamlet alone gave audiences about alone gave audiences about 600 words that, according to all other 600 words that, according to all other evidence, they had never heard evidence, they had never heard before.before.

Here are some: countless, critical, Here are some: countless, critical, frugal, vast, horrid, excellent, frugal, vast, horrid, excellent, hereditary, leapfrog, dwindle, hereditary, leapfrog, dwindle, assassination, lonely, zany. assassination, lonely, zany.

PhrasesPhrases

Some of his inventions: one fell swoop, Some of his inventions: one fell swoop, vanish into thin air, be in a pickle, flesh vanish into thin air, be in a pickle, flesh and blood, foul play, tower of strength, and blood, foul play, tower of strength, with bated breath, foregone conclusion.with bated breath, foregone conclusion.

If we take the If we take the Oxford English DictionaryOxford English Dictionary as our guide, S produced roughly 1/10 as our guide, S produced roughly 1/10 of all the most quotable utterances of all the most quotable utterances ever written or spoken in English!ever written or spoken in English!

Started off writing Started off writing histories and comedieshistories and comedies

Series of romantic Series of romantic comedies starting 1595comedies starting 1595

Wrote tragedies in Wrote tragedies in early 1600s early 1600s (Hamlet, (Hamlet, Othello, etc)Othello, etc)

““Dark Comedy”-- Dark Comedy”-- Troilus Troilus & Cressida, All’s Well That & Cressida, All’s Well That Ends Well, Measure for Ends Well, Measure for MeasureMeasure

““Romances”-- patterns Romances”-- patterns of loss/recovery, of loss/recovery, suffering/redemption, suffering/redemption, despair/renewal despair/renewal (Pericles, Cymbeline, The (Pericles, Cymbeline, The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest)Winter’s Tale, The Tempest)

London was a city London was a city where a single theatre where a single theatre held more people than held more people than in his hometown!in his hometown!

The TheatreThe Theatre

Theatres as dedicated spaces of Theatres as dedicated spaces of entertainment were a new phenomenon in entertainment were a new phenomenon in England…used to be in halls of great England…used to be in halls of great homes or inn’s yards. homes or inn’s yards.

Plays were at 2pm because of no lightsPlays were at 2pm because of no lights Lines of play let people know if it was Lines of play let people know if it was

supposed to be night, indoors, etc…not supposed to be night, indoors, etc…not much of a setmuch of a set

The money for tickets was dropped into a The money for tickets was dropped into a box, which was taken to a special room for box, which was taken to a special room for safe-keeping—the box office!safe-keeping—the box office!

The TheatreThe Theatre

The disdain for female actors was a The disdain for female actors was a Northern European tradition. In Northern European tradition. In Spain, France, and Italy, women were Spain, France, and Italy, women were played by women.played by women.

Even poor people went to the Even poor people went to the theatre, especially during the theatre, especially during the depressed years, just like movies depressed years, just like movies were for Americans in the 1930s.were for Americans in the 1930s.

The TheatreThe Theatre To prosper, a theatre in London needed to To prosper, a theatre in London needed to

draw as many as 2,000 spectators a day-draw as many as 2,000 spectators a day-about 1% of the city’s population-200 or so about 1% of the city’s population-200 or so times a year!times a year!

To keep customers coming back, it was To keep customers coming back, it was necessary to change the plays continually. necessary to change the plays continually. Most acting companies performed at least Most acting companies performed at least 5 different plays a week…used all spare 5 different plays a week…used all spare time to memorize lines!time to memorize lines!

Makes sense why Shakespeare would have Makes sense why Shakespeare would have written so many (36) plays. And why he re-written so many (36) plays. And why he re-wrote plays (wrote plays (Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet for example) for example)

The TheatreThe Theatre

There were no formal directors in There were no formal directors in Shakespeare’s dayShakespeare’s day

Actors could sometimes be required Actors could sometimes be required to memorize 15,000 lines in a to memorize 15,000 lines in a season. About the number of words season. About the number of words in a 200 page book.in a 200 page book.

Shakespeare never used a plot from Shakespeare never used a plot from his own times, and none were set in his own times, and none were set in LondonLondon

The TheatreThe Theatre

In classical drama plays were strictly In classical drama plays were strictly either comedies or tragedies. either comedies or tragedies. Elizabethan playwrights refused to be Elizabethan playwrights refused to be bounded by such rigidities and put bounded by such rigidities and put comic scenes in their darkest tragedies.comic scenes in their darkest tragedies.

In so doing, they invented comic reliefIn so doing, they invented comic reliefAlso, classical drama has no soliloquies Also, classical drama has no soliloquies

and no asides.and no asides.

The TheatreThe Theatre

The practice of pausing between acts The practice of pausing between acts didn’t begin until plays moved didn’t begin until plays moved indoors, late in Shakespeare’s indoors, late in Shakespeare’s career, and it became necessary to career, and it became necessary to break from time to time to trim the break from time to time to trim the lights!lights!

End of a CareerEnd of a Career

Billy retired to Stratford-on-Avon in 1610Billy retired to Stratford-on-Avon in 1610 Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 in StratfordShakespeare died on April 23, 1616 in Stratford His epitaph reads “Good friend for Jesus’ sake His epitaph reads “Good friend for Jesus’ sake

forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here: Blest be forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here: Blest be the man that spares these stones, And curst be the man that spares these stones, And curst be he that moves my bones.”he that moves my bones.”

What’s Happening in What’s Happening in England?England?

Elizabethan London

Around TownAround Town There was only one bridge across the There was only one bridge across the

Thames until around 1800 (the London Thames until around 1800 (the London Bridge)Bridge)

In Shakespeare’s time, tea and coffee were In Shakespeare’s time, tea and coffee were still unknownstill unknown

Such was the popularity of sugar that Such was the popularity of sugar that people’s teeth often turned black, and those people’s teeth often turned black, and those who failed to attain the condition naturally who failed to attain the condition naturally sometimes blackened their teeth to show sometimes blackened their teeth to show they had had their share of sugar, too!*they had had their share of sugar, too!*

*From Bill Bryson’s *From Bill Bryson’s ShakespeareShakespeare

Around TownAround TownTobacco was introduced to London Tobacco was introduced to London

the year after Shakespeare’s birth, the year after Shakespeare’s birth, was used for pleasure but also for a was used for pleasure but also for a broad range of complaints. For a broad range of complaints. For a time, pupils at Eton faced a beating if time, pupils at Eton faced a beating if caught neglecting their tobacco!caught neglecting their tobacco!

Monarchy in 16th and early Monarchy in 16th and early 17th Century England17th Century England

Arthur

James I1603-1625

Protestant marriedto a Catholic

MaryQueen of Scots

James Vof Scotland

Margaretm. James IV of Scotland

Edward VI1547-1553Protestant

m. Jane Seymour

Mary I1553-1558

Catholic

m. Catherine of Aragon

Elizabeth I1558-1603Protestant

m. Anne Boleyn m. Anne, Katherine H,& Katherine P

Henry VIII1509-1547denouncedCatholicism

Mary

Henry VII1485-1509

Key EventsKey Events

PlaguePlagueLow tolerance for religion Low tolerance for religion

(specifically Catholicism)(specifically Catholicism)Role of women (despite Elizabeth’s Role of women (despite Elizabeth’s

rule)rule)Golden Age of LiteratureGolden Age of LiteratureSense of nationalism developsSense of nationalism developsCultural RenaissanceCultural Renaissance

King JamesKing James He reigned from 1603-1616He reigned from 1603-1616 He was not, by all accounts, the most He was not, by all accounts, the most

visually appealing of fellows. He was visually appealing of fellows. He was graceless, and had a disconcerting habit, graceless, and had a disconcerting habit, indulged in more or less constantly, of indulged in more or less constantly, of playing with his codpiece. And his tongue playing with his codpiece. And his tongue appeared too big for his mouth…made his appeared too big for his mouth…made his drinking and eating unpleasant to watch.drinking and eating unpleasant to watch.

He didn’t bathe much and didn’t change his He didn’t bathe much and didn’t change his clothes often either.clothes often either.

But he liked the theatre.But he liked the theatre. King James Version of the Bible finally King James Version of the Bible finally

influenced a conformity of spelling.influenced a conformity of spelling.

The PlagueThe Plague

In non-plague years 16% of infants died In non-plague years 16% of infants died in England.in England.

In Shakespeare’s birth year 66% of In Shakespeare’s birth year 66% of infants died.infants died.

In a sense, his greatest achievement in In a sense, his greatest achievement in life wasn’t writing life wasn’t writing Macbeth Macbeth or the or the sonnets, but just surviving his first year!sonnets, but just surviving his first year!**

*From Bill Bryson’s Book: *From Bill Bryson’s Book: ShakespeareShakespeare

NonsenseNonsense

A person with an income of 20 pounds a A person with an income of 20 pounds a year was permitted to don a satin doublet year was permitted to don a satin doublet but not a satin gown, while someone worth but not a satin gown, while someone worth 100 pounds a year could wear all the satin 100 pounds a year could wear all the satin he wished, but could have velvet only in he wished, but could have velvet only in his doublets, but not in any outerwear, and his doublets, but not in any outerwear, and then only so long as the velvet was not then only so long as the velvet was not crimson or blue. Silk netherstockings were crimson or blue. Silk netherstockings were restricted to knights and their eldest restricted to knights and their eldest sons…amazing S’s plays were so deep if sons…amazing S’s plays were so deep if these were concerns of the day.*these were concerns of the day.*

*From Bill Bryson’s Book: *From Bill Bryson’s Book: ShakespeareShakespeare

Shakespeare’s WorksShakespeare’s Works 154 Sonnets154 Sonnets 12 Comedies 12 Comedies (All's Well That (All's Well That

Ends Well, As You Like It, Comedy of Ends Well, As You Like It, Comedy of Errors, Love's Labour's Lost, Measure Errors, Love's Labour's Lost, Measure for Measure, Merchant of Venice, for Measure, Merchant of Venice, Merry Wives of Windsor, Midsummer Merry Wives of Windsor, Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado about Night's Dream, Much Ado about Nothing, Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Nothing, Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night, Two Gentlemen of Verona)Night, Two Gentlemen of Verona)

10 Histories 10 Histories (Henry IV, Part I; (Henry IV, Part I; Henry IV, Part II; Henry V; Henry VI, Henry IV, Part II; Henry V; Henry VI, Part I; Henry VI, Part II; Henry VI, Part Part I; Henry VI, Part II; Henry VI, Part III; Henry VIII; King John; Richard II; III; Henry VIII; King John; Richard II;

Richard III)Richard III) 11 Tragedies 11 Tragedies (Antony and (Antony and

Cleopatra, Coriolanus, Hamlet, Julius Cleopatra, Coriolanus, Hamlet, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Macbeth, Othello, Caesar, King Lear, Macbeth, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Timon of Athens, Romeo and Juliet, Timon of Athens, Titus Andronicus, Troilus and Cressida)Titus Andronicus, Troilus and Cressida)

4 “Romances” 4 “Romances” (Pericles, (Pericles, Cymbeline, The Winter’s Tale, The Cymbeline, The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest)Tempest)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

ComedyHistoryTragedyRomance

T R A G E D YT R A G E D Y Tragedy: A drama or Tragedy: A drama or

literary work in which the literary work in which the main character is brought to main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances unfavorable circumstances

TragedyTragedy SadSad Protagonist “dies”Protagonist “dies” Fault is moralFault is moral Sense of wasteSense of waste

Aristotelian Aristotelian fall of person of high fall of person of high

estateestate Own fault, not moralOwn fault, not moral Catharsis- expulsion Catharsis- expulsion

of pity and fearof pity and fear

M A C B E T HM A C B E T H

History of ‘That Play’History of ‘That Play’ Written and performed Written and performed

for King James I (1606)for King James I (1606) Tragedy with a Tragedy with a

historical emphasishistorical emphasis Real Macbeth ruled Real Macbeth ruled

from 1040-1057; killed from 1040-1057; killed Duncan, revenged by Duncan, revenged by Malcom (son) in Malcom (son) in 1057-- reigned until 1057-- reigned until 10931093

Banquo is said to be Banquo is said to be an ancestor of James Ian ancestor of James I

Assassination was key Assassination was key issue for James-- had issue for James-- had already survived one already survived one attemptattempt

Loosely based on Loosely based on Gunpowder Plot of 1605Gunpowder Plot of 1605

Witchcraft punishable Witchcraft punishable by death (Salem trials in by death (Salem trials in 1692)1692)

Some witch scenes Some witch scenes believed to be added by believed to be added by Thomas Middleton after Thomas Middleton after Shakespeare’s deathShakespeare’s death

The CurseThe Curse The "Curse of Macbeth" is the misfortune that happens The "Curse of Macbeth" is the misfortune that happens

during the production of the play. during the production of the play. The theory goes that Shakespeare included actual black The theory goes that Shakespeare included actual black

magic spells in the incantations of the weird sisters. magic spells in the incantations of the weird sisters. Those who appear in the play or those who mention the Those who appear in the play or those who mention the play's name within the confines of a theatre risk having play's name within the confines of a theatre risk having these evils brought down on their heads. these evils brought down on their heads.

The tragedy of Macbeth is considered so unlucky that it The tragedy of Macbeth is considered so unlucky that it is hardly ever called by name inside the profession. is hardly ever called by name inside the profession. People refer to the play as "that play”, “the People refer to the play as "that play”, “the unmentionable" or "the Scottish play." It is supposed to unmentionable" or "the Scottish play." It is supposed to be bad luck to quote from the play or to use any sets, be bad luck to quote from the play or to use any sets, costumes, or props from a production. costumes, or props from a production.

August 7, 1606-- The boy actor playing Lady Macbeth August 7, 1606-- The boy actor playing Lady Macbeth died back stage on opening night. Shakespeare had to fill-died back stage on opening night. Shakespeare had to fill-in.in.

Amsterdam, 1672-- the actor playing Macbeth substituted Amsterdam, 1672-- the actor playing Macbeth substituted a real dagger for the blunted stage one and with it killed a real dagger for the blunted stage one and with it killed

Duncan in full view of the entranced audience.Duncan in full view of the entranced audience. New York, 1849-- performance at Astor Place, a riot broke New York, 1849-- performance at Astor Place, a riot broke

out in which 31 people were trampled to death.out in which 31 people were trampled to death. 1934, four actors played Macbeth in a single week. In 1934, four actors played Macbeth in a single week. In

1937, Macbeth had to be postponed for three days after a 1937, Macbeth had to be postponed for three days after a change in directors and because of the death of Lilian change in directors and because of the death of Lilian Boylis. In 1954, the portrait of Lilian Boylis crashed down Boylis. In 1954, the portrait of Lilian Boylis crashed down on the bar on opening night. on the bar on opening night.

1934-- British actor Malcolm Keen turned mute onstage, 1934-- British actor Malcolm Keen turned mute onstage, and his replacement, Alister Sim, like Hal Berridge before and his replacement, Alister Sim, like Hal Berridge before him, developed a high fever and had to be hospitalized.him, developed a high fever and had to be hospitalized.

1937-- when Laurence Olivier took on the role of 1937-- when Laurence Olivier took on the role of Macbeth, a 25 pound stage weight crashed within an inch Macbeth, a 25 pound stage weight crashed within an inch of him, and his sword which broke onstage flew into the of him, and his sword which broke onstage flew into the audience and hit a man who later suffered a heart attack.audience and hit a man who later suffered a heart attack.

1942-- Macbeth production headed by John Gielgud, three 1942-- Macbeth production headed by John Gielgud, three actors -- Duncan and two witches -- died, and the costume actors -- Duncan and two witches -- died, and the costume and set designer committed suicide amidst his devilish and set designer committed suicide amidst his devilish Macbeth creations. Macbeth creations.

Bermuda, 1953--The indestructible Charlton Heston Bermuda, 1953--The indestructible Charlton Heston suffered severe burns in his groin and leg area from tights suffered severe burns in his groin and leg area from tights that were accidentally soaked in kerosene. that were accidentally soaked in kerosene.

New York, 1970-- An actor's strike felled Rip Torn's New York, 1970-- An actor's strike felled Rip Torn's productionproduction

1971-- two fires and seven robberies plagued the version 1971-- two fires and seven robberies plagued the version starring David Learystarring David Leary

1981-- production at Lincoln Center, J. Kenneth Campbell, 1981-- production at Lincoln Center, J. Kenneth Campbell, who played Macduff, was mugged soon after the play's who played Macduff, was mugged soon after the play's opening. opening.

The superstition is not so much about doing the play as about The superstition is not so much about doing the play as about naming it. You are not supposed to mention the title in a naming it. You are not supposed to mention the title in a theatre. theatre.

The most common remedy to get rid of the curse is that the The most common remedy to get rid of the curse is that the offender must step outside, turn around three times, spit, and offender must step outside, turn around three times, spit, and say the foulest word he/she can think of, and wait for say the foulest word he/she can think of, and wait for permission to re-enter the theatre. permission to re-enter the theatre.

Other Act 1, Scene 1sOther Act 1, Scene 1s

Romeo & JulietRomeo & Juliet-- fight -- fight scene between scene between Montague and Capulet Montague and Capulet household; Romeo household; Romeo professes love for professes love for RosalineRosaline

OthelloOthello-- Roderigo -- Roderigo upset with Iago; Iago upset with Iago; Iago upset because Othello upset because Othello appointed Cassio appointed Cassio lieutenant; Brabanzio finds lieutenant; Brabanzio finds out about Desdemona’s out about Desdemona’s marriage to Othellomarriage to Othello

Julius CaesarJulius Caesar-- Flavius -- Flavius and Murellus are upset and Murellus are upset over the city’s support of over the city’s support of Caesar and his victory Caesar and his victory over Pompey (a leader over Pompey (a leader they used to support) they used to support)

Much Ado About Much Ado About NothingNothing-- Don Juan and -- Don Juan and crew return victorious crew return victorious from battle; Beatrice and from battle; Beatrice and Benedick relationship set Benedick relationship set up; plan to hook-up up; plan to hook-up Claudio and Hero Claudio and Hero

Macbeth Act 1, Scene 1Macbeth Act 1, Scene 1

Three witches appear out of a storm and Three witches appear out of a storm and plan to meet again after the battle to plan to meet again after the battle to confront Macbeth. They disappear as confront Macbeth. They disappear as quickly as they appeared (scene is 13 quickly as they appeared (scene is 13 lines).lines).

A desert place. Thunder and lightning. Enter three A desert place. Thunder and lightning. Enter three witches.witches.

1st witch: When shall we three meet again1st witch: When shall we three meet againIn thunder, lightning, or in rain?In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

2nd witch: When the hurlyburly’s done,2nd witch: When the hurlyburly’s done,When the battle’s lost and won.When the battle’s lost and won.

5 5 3rd witch: That will be ere the set of sun.3rd witch: That will be ere the set of sun.1st witch: Where the place?1st witch: Where the place?2nd witch: 2nd witch: Upon the heath.Upon the heath.3rd witch: There to meet with Macbeth.3rd witch: There to meet with Macbeth.1st witch: I come, Graymalkin!1st witch: I come, Graymalkin!

10 10 2nd witch: Paddock calls.2nd witch: Paddock calls.3rd witch: Anon!3rd witch: Anon!All: Fair is foul, and foul is fair:All: Fair is foul, and foul is fair:

Hover through the fog and filthy air.Hover through the fog and filthy air.[They vanish][They vanish]

Literary AllusionLiterary Allusion

Act 4, Scene 1Line 45