Elizabethan StageElizabethan Stage

Elizabethan TheatersElizabethan Theaters

The Elizabethan Era was from 1558-The Elizabethan Era was from 1558-1603, during Queen Elizabeth I’s 1603, during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign.reign.

Plays were performed wherever they Plays were performed wherever they could find space, usually in could find space, usually in courtyardscourtyards

First permanent theater was built in First permanent theater was built in 1576 outside of London by James 1576 outside of London by James Burbage, named “The Theater”Burbage, named “The Theater”

Elizabethan TheatersElizabethan Theaters

1599 rent was raised on the land on which the “The Theater” was built …because of increase Burbage’s son dismantled the theater and rowed it across the river

Later the reconstructed theater was named THE GLOBE

Elizabethan TheatersElizabethan Theaters

Theaters were seen as frivolous and Theaters were seen as frivolous and a waste of time by the authorities.a waste of time by the authorities.

1592-1594 London theaters were 1592-1594 London theaters were closed during the plague years for closed during the plague years for officials felt the disease was too officials felt the disease was too easily spread throughout the easily spread throughout the audienceaudience

The GlobeThe Globe

described as “the Wooden O”described as “the Wooden O” open space - 65’ in diameteropen space - 65’ in diameter surrounded by a circular building..30’ high with 3 surrounded by a circular building..30’ high with 3

tiers of seatstiers of seats stage 5’ high, 40’X30’ rectanglestage 5’ high, 40’X30’ rectangle small curtained inner stage located at the back of small curtained inner stage located at the back of

the large stage- “The Heavens”the large stage- “The Heavens” front part of the stage equipped with a trap doorfront part of the stage equipped with a trap door

The Sets and EffectsThe Sets and Effects

The stage was bare, however flags, banners, The stage was bare, however flags, banners, and musicians usedand musicians used

Actors were sometimes lowered from Actors were sometimes lowered from “heavens” by cranes“heavens” by cranes

sound effects (a cannon) - a spark of a cannon sound effects (a cannon) - a spark of a cannon was the cause of the fire that destroyed The was the cause of the fire that destroyed The GlobeGlobe

Actors carried torches to depict night time.Actors carried torches to depict night time. Most of the audience paid only 1 penny to visit Most of the audience paid only 1 penny to visit

the theater, which earned them the name the theater, which earned them the name “Groundlings”.“Groundlings”.

The Elizabethan ActorThe Elizabethan Actor

Fencing: Audience loved duels!Fencing: Audience loved duels!Tumbling: Lots of movement!Tumbling: Lots of movement!Dancing: most plays ended with Dancing: most plays ended with

dancing!dancing!Elocution: Words were very Elocution: Words were very

important!important!Music: Played throughout the play!Music: Played throughout the play!

The Elizabethan ActorThe Elizabethan Actor

Actors often played more than one Actors often played more than one role.role.

All roles were played by menAll roles were played by menYoung boys wore wigs and heavy Young boys wore wigs and heavy

makeup to play _______________ roles.makeup to play _______________ roles.Actors were held in disrepute and Actors were held in disrepute and

considered “rogues, vagabonds, considered “rogues, vagabonds, sturdy beggars, & common players”sturdy beggars, & common players”

William ShakespeareWilliam ShakespeareIntroduction Introduction Shakespeare’s LifeShakespeare’s Life

His FamilyHis Family

The PlaywrightThe Playwright

His WorksHis Works

His InspirationHis Inspiration

His GeniusHis Genius

Why He is AppealingWhy He is Appealing

Personal LifePersonal Life

Born 23 April 1564-Died 23 April Born 23 April 1564-Died 23 April 16161616Born in Stratford-Upon-AvonBorn in Stratford-Upon-Avon

1582 married Anne Hathaway1582 married Anne Hathaway1583 first child born, Susanna1583 first child born, Susanna1585 twins born, Hamnet and Judith1585 twins born, Hamnet and Judith

Professional LifeProfessional Life1592 become a famous playwright and actor1592 become a famous playwright and actorRival was Robert GreeneRival was Robert GreeneWas an actor for 20 years from 1585-Was an actor for 20 years from 1585-

160516051594 Charter Member of 1594 Charter Member of

Lord Chamberlain’s Men Lord Chamberlain’s Men

1603 Lord Chamberlain’s Men 1603 Lord Chamberlain’s Men became the King’s Menbecame the King’s Men

Shakespeare’s WorksShakespeare’s WorksWrote 154 sonnets. 37 plays. 2 book Wrote 154 sonnets. 37 plays. 2 book

length narrative poemslength narrative poemsPlays consisted of Histories, Comedies, Plays consisted of Histories, Comedies,

Tragedies and Romances, also called Tragedies and Romances, also called Tragicomedies.Tragicomedies.

Masterpieces: Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, Masterpieces: Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Learand King Lear

Great Tragedies: Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Great Tragedies: Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Antony and Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, and Romeo and JulietCleopatra, and Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare’s WorksShakespeare’s WorksAll plays were written for kings; All plays were written for kings;

Shakespeare was paid $40 per playShakespeare was paid $40 per playHis plays were popular and pleased His plays were popular and pleased

the audiencesthe audiencesHis plays were published 7 years after His plays were published 7 years after

his deathhis death1623 the First Folio was published1623 the First Folio was published

this is a collection of the supposed “true this is a collection of the supposed “true original copies” of Shakespeare’s plays original copies” of Shakespeare’s plays

What Inspired Will? What Inspired Will? Many of his characters were REAL people-many Many of his characters were REAL people-many

based on historical figuresbased on historical figures Shakespeare got ideas from other plays and Shakespeare got ideas from other plays and

poems rather than his own personal experiences poems rather than his own personal experiences or current events from local materialor current events from local material No copy rightsNo copy rights Sharing of materialSharing of material

Romeo & Juliet was based on the long narrative Romeo & Juliet was based on the long narrative poem “The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and poem “The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet” written by Arthur Brookein 1562Juliet” written by Arthur Brookein 1562

What was his Genius?What was his Genius?

Had an understanding of the peopleHad an understanding of the peopleSkilled with wordsSkilled with wordsThe English Language and theater The English Language and theater

has never been the same since has never been the same since Shakespeare wrote.Shakespeare wrote.

Why does he appeal to us?Why does he appeal to us?

He speaks words that we wish we had He speaks words that we wish we had said. People are always quoting him.said. People are always quoting him.““It was Greek to me”It was Greek to me”““A sorry sight”A sorry sight”““In a pickle”In a pickle”““To be or not to be”To be or not to be” “ “All that glitters is not gold”All that glitters is not gold”““elbow room”elbow room”““The long and short of it”The long and short of it”

Why does he appeal to us?Why does he appeal to us?He appeals to all kinds of people in all He appeals to all kinds of people in all

times, nations, ages, and levelstimes, nations, ages, and levelsHe is serious, funny, angry, ironical…He is serious, funny, angry, ironical…He does not make moral judgments.He does not make moral judgments.He captures in words and actions all the He captures in words and actions all the

great problems that have tormented great problems that have tormented human beings throughout the ages. human beings throughout the ages. We take comfort in the fact that the We take comfort in the fact that the hero has flaws and is not perfect.hero has flaws and is not perfect.

Shakespeare’s Romeo Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet& Juliet

Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet

Illustrations of Elizabethan Illustrations of Elizabethan Times throughout the playTimes throughout the play

Letters and SealsLetters and Seals

Friar John sent a Friar John sent a message to message to Romeo. Romeo.

Romeo sent a Romeo sent a message to his message to his father.father.

Lord Capulet sent Lord Capulet sent his servant to his servant to invite guests to the invite guests to the party.party.

Great HouseholdsGreat Households

The Capulets and The Capulets and the Montagues had the Montagues had servants in their servants in their houses.houses.

Both houses treated Both houses treated their servants like their servants like part of the family.part of the family.

The servants acted The servants acted like part of the like part of the family.family.

Marriage CustomsMarriage Customs

The marriage The marriage between Romeo and between Romeo and Juliet did not end up Juliet did not end up following the regular following the regular customs. The customs. The wedding plans for wedding plans for Juliet and Paris Juliet and Paris would have been a would have been a grand affair, but grand affair, but Tybalt’s untimely Tybalt’s untimely death changed this. death changed this.

Funeral CustomsFuneral Customs

Dead bodies are Dead bodies are placed inside placed inside tombs near tombs near churches. churches.

They are placed They are placed above ground with above ground with other members of other members of their family.their family.

MessengersMessengers

The nurse is a The nurse is a messenger for messenger for Juliet.Juliet.

Friar John is a Friar John is a messenger for Friar messenger for Friar Laurence.Laurence.

The servant is a The servant is a messenger for Lord messenger for Lord Capulet.Capulet.

BellsBells

Bells are used at Bells are used at the beginning of the beginning of the play to signal the play to signal an alarm(fight).an alarm(fight).

Bells are used for Bells are used for funeralsfunerals

Alchemy or ApothecaryAlchemy or Apothecary

Romeo went to the Romeo went to the apothecary to get apothecary to get some poisonsome poison

Juliet went to the Juliet went to the Friar to get some Friar to get some help and he gave help and he gave her a potion to her a potion to help her sleep.help her sleep.

DancesDances

There were many There were many dances that took dances that took place at the place at the Capulet’s party Capulet’s party where Romeo and where Romeo and Juliet met.Juliet met.

One dance even One dance even included bells. included bells.

Background to R & JBackground to R & J

What is it about?What is it about? The Montagues and Capulets are two rival families. The Montagues and Capulets are two rival families. Both families are feuding and neither remember why.Both families are feuding and neither remember why.

What is Shakespeare trying to teach us about What is Shakespeare trying to teach us about rivalries?rivalries?

What is the real reason that the families are still What is the real reason that the families are still fighting?fighting?

They are warned by Prince Escalus that if the fighting They are warned by Prince Escalus that if the fighting continues the participants will be executed. (Act I)continues the participants will be executed. (Act I)

Romeo and Juliet meet at a Capulet party and Romeo and Juliet meet at a Capulet party and experience “love at first sight.”’experience “love at first sight.”’

However, Juliet is betrothed to Count Paris. (Act I)However, Juliet is betrothed to Count Paris. (Act I) What are some predictions you can make from that What are some predictions you can make from that

new insight?new insight?

Things to HighlightThings to Highlight

Theme:Theme: Love conceptsLove concepts Individual vs. Individual vs.

societysociety Choice vs. fateChoice vs. fate Light vs. darkLight vs. dark Opposite points of Opposite points of

viewview Parent-child Parent-child

relationshipsrelationships

SymbolsSymbols CharacterizationCharacterization

Direct Direct IndirectIndirect

ForeshadowingForeshadowing

Things to HighlightThings to Highlight

Figurative Figurative Language:Language: OxymoronOxymoron EuphemismEuphemism Pun Pun SimileSimile MetaphorMetaphor HyperboleHyperbole

UnderstatementUnderstatement AllusionAllusion PersonificationPersonification SoliloquySoliloquy ApostropheApostrophe IronyIrony

VerbalVerbalDramaticDramaticSituationalSituational

Stay Tuned for the Stay Tuned for the Continuing Saga of Continuing Saga of

Romeo & JulietRomeo & Juliet

ACT IACT I

CapuletsCapulets JulietJuliet : The daughter, age 13, of Capulet and Lady : The daughter, age 13, of Capulet and Lady

Capulet. Capulet. Lord CapuletLord Capulet: The patriarch of the Capulet family, : The patriarch of the Capulet family,

father of Juliet, husband of Lady Capulet, and enemy, for father of Juliet, husband of Lady Capulet, and enemy, for unexplained reasons, of Montague. unexplained reasons, of Montague.

Lady CapuletLady Capulet: Juliet’s mother, Capulet’s wife. : Juliet’s mother, Capulet’s wife. The NurseThe Nurse: Juliet’s nurse, the woman who cared for : Juliet’s nurse, the woman who cared for

Juliet since she was a baby.Juliet since she was a baby. TybaltTybalt: A Capulet, Juliet’s cousin on her mother’s side. : A Capulet, Juliet’s cousin on her mother’s side. Samson & GregorySamson & Gregory: Two servants of the house of : Two servants of the house of

Capulet, who, like their master, hate the Montagues. At the Capulet, who, like their master, hate the Montagues. At the outset of the play, they successfully provoke some outset of the play, they successfully provoke some Montague men into a fight. Montague men into a fight.

MontaguesMontagues RomeoRomeo: son, age 16, and heir of Montague and : son, age 16, and heir of Montague and

Lady Montague. Lady Montague. Lord MontagueLord Montague: Romeo’s father, the patriarch : Romeo’s father, the patriarch

of the Montague clan and bitter enemy of of the Montague clan and bitter enemy of Capulet. Capulet.

Lady MontagueLady Montague: Romeo’s mother, Montague’s : Romeo’s mother, Montague’s wife. She dies of grief after Romeo is exiled from wife. She dies of grief after Romeo is exiled from Verona. Verona.

BenvolioBenvolio: Montague’s nephew, Romeo’s cousin : Montague’s nephew, Romeo’s cousin and thoughtful friend and thoughtful friend

BalthasarBalthasar: Romeo’s dedicated servant, who : Romeo’s dedicated servant, who brings Romeo the news of Juliet’s death, unaware brings Romeo the news of Juliet’s death, unaware that her death is a ruse. that her death is a ruse.

Neither Capulet or Neither Capulet or MontagueMontague

No relation to the families:No relation to the families: MercutioMercutio: A kinsman to the Prince, and : A kinsman to the Prince, and

Romeo’s close friend. Romeo’s close friend. ParisParis: A kinsman of the Prince, and the suitor : A kinsman of the Prince, and the suitor

of Juliet most preferred by Capulet. of Juliet most preferred by Capulet. Friar LaurenceFriar Laurence:  Franciscan friar, friend to :  Franciscan friar, friend to

both Romeo and Juliet. both Romeo and Juliet. Friar JohnFriar John: A Franciscan friar charged by : A Franciscan friar charged by

Friar Lawrence with taking the news of Juliet’s Friar Lawrence with taking the news of Juliet’s false death to Romeo in Mantua. false death to Romeo in Mantua.

Prince EscalusPrince Escalus: The Prince of Verona. : The Prince of Verona.

SettingSetting

Verona, Italy in the center of townVerona, Italy in the center of town

AdaptationsAdaptations