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Notes on Macbeth and Shakespeare’s Theater. Technical terms: Aside Foil Monologue ( R28) Soliloquy ( R32) Tragedy ( R33). About the man:.
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Technical terms: • Aside • Foil • Monologue (R28) • Soliloquy (R32) • Tragedy (R33)
About the man: • William Shakespeare was believed to be born on April 23, 1564 because his baptismal record is dated April 26th, which would be traditionally done three days after a child was born. • Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616. (This day is important because it is the Feast Day of St. George, the patron saint of England)
Shakespeare's plays were written from 1590 through 1613. • He was famous and controversial in his own day. • He was the Master of the English Renaissance who gave us the foundation for the modern English language.
His plays: • They were never meant for publication - only for entertainment in the theater. • He wanted MONEY - not literary recognition. Publication of his works pissed Shakespeare off! • Scripts were stolen regularly so that his plays could be published and sold to his fans.
about the size of a coffee table book The scripts of Shakespeare’s plays were in two accessible forms: folios and quartos.
The scripts of Shakespeare’s plays were in two accessible forms: folios and quartos. like a small paperback book
Quartos - these were published illegally during Shakespeare's day. They were cheaper than a full folio, but they were less accurate copies, hence the variations we have today in some cases.
Folios - these were published in 1623 after his death. The first ones were the original copies that Shakespeare had used, but later ones were accurate copies that tended to cost much more than the cheap quartos.
The shows themselves: • Elaborate costumes and props were used. • Violence on stage was common. • ***Later on in the plays, the use of animal organs filled with blood were worn under the costume in fights or murder scenes in order for blood to appear when someone was cut or stabbed.
All actors were males - female parts were played by apprentice boys • Sound effects and special effects were also used - some scenery was used, but not extensively due to the need for quick scene changes. • Most plays were done in only a two-hour period.
The Globe Theater: • Shakespeare had this theater built exclusively for his plays in 1599. • It used the sunlight in the afternoon to light up the stage from the southwest. • It was three stories tall to accommodate as much seating as possible. The cheapest spots were in the pit with standing room only - this cost two pennies.
View from directly overhead… This is why they called it the “Big O.”
T H E P I T Three tiers of seats for the more affluent folk
The heavens Ropes to lower people or effects from the heavens The stage and underworld beneath
There were trapdoors in the stage for various special effects
Balconies (second level) for musicians and scenes that call for an upper level
Sunlight was used during the afternoon to light the stage.
This is the back tower of the rebuilt Globe Theater in London today.
The background for Macbeth: • Story – taken from Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland • witchcraft in the play from witches mentioned in this book • King James I wrote a book against sorcery and satanism called Demonologie • First shown to King James I, King of England (aka James VI, King of Scotland)
Setting • Scotland (and England) • 11th Century (in the time of King Edward the Confessor of England) • Scotland has been loosely unified for around two hundred years • Kilts and tartans differentiate clans, land and rank
Macbeth’s castle Duncan’s Palace Important places in Act 5 Dunsinane Birnam Wood Northumberland, England
Scottish Hierarchy God King (and Queen) Prince of Cumberland Lesser princes Thanes Lords Common people
