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William Shakespeare. (1564 – 1616 ) * Born in Stratford–on–Avon, England in 1564. His parents were prominent figures in the city and it is supposed that he received formal education. At age 18 he married Anne Hathaway ~ they eventually had three children.
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William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616) * Born in Stratford–on–Avon, England in 1564. • His parents were prominent figures in the city and it is supposed that he received formal education. • At age 18 he married Anne Hathaway ~ they eventually had three children.
Lived during the Elizabethan Age, named after Queen Elizabeth I, which was also a part of the English Renaissance. * He was a member of an acting troupe called Lord Chamberlain’s Company who traveled together and put on plays. * They then became officially connected with the court and later changed their name to King’s Men, after King James I of Scotland because he gave them financial backing and support.
In 1599 the acting troupe bought their own theatre, the Globe. • The Globe had an open center and was cold in the winter and drew small crowds, so they purchased the Second Blackfriar’s Theatre, an enclosed building where they could perform all year long. * Groundlings were poorer citizens who only paid a penny to attend the play – they had to stand on the ground around the stage and were known to throw things at the actors if not entertained.
The Stage: No or very few props therefore everything had to be created by the actors – * Prologue (an introductory speech) or * Soliloquy (a speech when one thinks they are alone) – often used to get necessary info to the audience. * Boys played all roles, as it was considered immoral for women to appear onstage. Younger boys would play the female roles. * Punsor play on words, were quite common. *Physical and Verbal confrontations kept the action moving. * All performances were during the afternoons due to no artificial lighting.
William Shakespeare supposedly died on his birthday in 1616. *After his death some friends of his published a collected edition of his works known as the First Folio, which played a crucial role in preserving his plays for centuries to come.
Much Ado About Nothing Notes * Published in 1600 * Romantic Comedy * Prevailing Motif is that of the mask: ~Masked Ball ~Charade offstage where one character misrepresents himself ~Marriage ceremony with a character masking as someone else. past and modern industry. One of the most powerful cities during the early rule of the Roman Empire, the old city of Verona is one of the best-preserved sections in
“Nothing” in the title, also pronounced “noting” in the English of Elizabethan London & the surrounding area, which means to observe, listen, or write … eavesdropping could easily fall into this category as well. *Overhearing is constant and an essential part to the process of both misunderstanding as well as clarifications in this play.
A quest is a journey towards a goal used in mythology and literature as a plot. Quests can be found in the folklore of every nation. In literature, the objects of quests require great exertion on the part of the hero, and the overcoming of many obstacles, typically including much travel. * Journeys in this play: ~Candor, or straightforwardness, and self-awareness in relationships with others. ~Quest for honesty & respect beneath conventional outward appearances. * Comic Double Plot (linking together two stories of diverse origins & contrasting tones.) ~Hero – Claudio Plot: Sensational, melodramatic, potentially tragic. ~Beatrice-Benedick Plot: Battle of the sexes – light- hearted, bantering, & reassuring.
