Shakespearean Drama: Background

Julius Caesar

English II

“All the World’s a Stage”

Shakespeare’s Philosophy: “All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages…” -- From As You Like It

• • • • •

Theatre During Shakespeare’s Time

Plays were performed in public theaters.

Wealthy playgoers sat on the benches Less wealthy playgoers stood in the pit Hazelnuts were their theater food of choice.

The GLOBE ▫ Where many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed.

▫ Located in London – built in 1599.

▫ Was reconstructed in 1997 ▫ Held ~3,000 people

Theater Cont’d

• Setting and stage directions were imbedded in the script: ▫ “Soft! What light through yonder window breaks?” • Women did NOT perform in the theater • Plays lasted roughly 2 hours

Theatrical Terms

• Monologue: a long speech made by one actor usually expressing thoughts. • Soliloquy: a long speech made by an actor to the audience (the content is private).

• Aside: the character speaks to the audience; it’s unheard by the other characters

Shakespeare

 Shakespeare is known for his wordplay.

 Oxymoron: a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms  “the deafening silence”  “the living dead”  Pun: a play on words that suggests two or more meanings  “I work as a baker because I knead dough.”  “Never invest in funerals; it is a dying industry.”  Headline: “Energizer Bunny Arrested—Charged With Battery”

Activity

 Part I: Research Shakespearean puns tonight on the internet. Find five examples, write them down, and explain why each is a pun.

 Part II: Shakespeare re-orders many of his words.

 “John caught the ball”  in Shakespearean…“The ball John caught” OR “John the ball caught”  YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Come up with five normal sentences and then re-word them into “Shakespearean lingo” (DUE tomorrow!)