Shakespeare’s Drama

1. Shakespeare’s Drama The Globe, The Man and Macbeth

2. The Globe Theater • Built in 1599 for The Lord Chamberlain’s Acting Company of which Shakespeare was a member (Shakespeare owned 10%) • Made of wood • Held 2,000 – 3,000 people • 1,500 seats were covered • Room for 800 – 1,000 people to stand in the “pit”, an uncovered area surrounding the stage • No lights so all performances were held between 2 – 5 pm

3. The Globe Theater, cont’d. • The stage was circular with all sides open • There was an enclosed building to the side for costume changes • No curtains so characters were “announced”, acts and scenes melted into each other, and dead bodies had to be carried off the stage

4. The Globe Theater, cont’d. • 3 levels of the stage * Main stage with small curtained area in the rear * Upper area (heaven) for balcony scenes * Lower area under the stage (hell) accessible by a trapdoor on the stage

5. The Globe Theater, cont’d. • The acoustics were poor so actors had to shout and use exaggerated gestures to be understood • Because there were no curtains to close at the conclusion, all tensions had to be “cooled” before the end of the play

6. The Globe Theater, concluded • 1613 – burned during a performance of Henry VIII when a real cannon was fired onto the roof • 1614 – rebuilt • 1644 – Puritans destroyed it in an effort to “clean up” the morals of London

7. Scenery, costumes, and props • No curtains dictated that scenery be kept to a minimum since no changes could be made during a performance • Costumes were elaborate and highly decorated with hats and other accessories • Props were usually small and could be carried on by hand by the actors

8. William Shakespeare His Life and Work

9. Childhood • Born to wealthy parents in Stratford-Upon-Avon in 1564 • Few details are known about his childhood • Well-educated in grammar school as evidenced by his references to classical works, his knowledge of a wide variety of subjects, and his extensive vocabulary

10. His Career as an Actor and Playwright • 1589 – he wrote his first play (Henry VI, Part I) • 1594 – he became a member of The Lord Chamberlain’s Men which developed into the premier theater troupe in London, first as an actor and then a playwright • 1598 – he became the principal comedic writer and actor of the troupe • 1603 – he became the principal tragic actor and writer of the troupe

11. His Career as an Actor and Playwright, Cont’d. • His success and good investments made him wealthy and well-respected in London society • He wrote the epitaph for his own tomb: “Good friend, for Jesus’ sake forbear To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones And cursed be he that moves my bones.”

12. Macbeth from reality to the stage

13. Macbeth • Original play performed for 17 years before it was actually published • Length of the play suggests it was abridged (shortened) through the years • The stereotypical idea of witches begins with the portrayal of them in this play • King James VI of Scotland (I of England) was a descendant of the real Banquo

14. Macbeth Reality Fiction Rules for about 10 weeks Banquo does not help Lady Macbeth participates in the murder Shakespeare combined different elements of stories in Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland to come up with the play • Reigned as king of Scotland between 1040 and 1057 • Killed Duncan I with help from Banquo • Killed by Duncan’s son, Malcolm III • Real king Duff murdered by Donwald while a guest in Donwald’s castle

15. Macbeth Theme: Ambition will bring one’s downfall. Set in Scotland in 1040 Macbeth is loyal thane of Duncan Macbeth has helped put down rebellion against Duncan by the Thane of Cawdor