Professional Documents
Culture Documents
New Theaters
By the 16th century, drama in England was already three centuries old! New, permanent places to stage plays were built, but acting companies still performed in improvised spaces when they went on tour. In 1576, James Burbage, the father of Shakespeares partner Richard Burbage built the first public theater. He called it The Theater New theaters followed: the Curtain, the Rose, the Swan, the Red Bull, the Hope, and the Globe
The Stage
One third of the yard was filled with 6ft high platform No curtain No artificial lighting Back wall had at least two doors Balcony was used for hilltops, walls of cities, or second story scenes. Trapdoors were used to raise or lower actors and props.
Make-believe
The audiences used their imaginations to perceive reality on stage. Furniture was rolled out onstage to indicate an indoor scene. Lanterns would signal to the audience that action was taking place at night. When a forest scene was required, a few small bushes and trees might be set out onstage, then the actors spoke lines that evoked images in
Make-believe
Audiences at the Globe expected to take in a full spectacle. Quick costume changes could create the illusion of many more actors. Musicians in the gallery above the stage provided music to accompany performances.
William Shakespeare
1564-1616 Born in Stratford-on-Avon Left no letters, diaries or other private writing 37 plays and 154 sonnets Did not go to Oxford or Cambridge Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 Had three children Was an accomplished actor and
Shakespeares Plays
Richard III a chronicle of an evil historical English king Comedy of Errors A rowdy farce about mistaken identity Romeo and Juliet tragedy about two ill-fated lovers A Midsummer Nights Dream mystical, comedic fantasy play The Merchant of Venice tragic comedy about love and hatred
Shakespeares Epitaph:
Good Friend, for Jesus sake, forbear To dig the dust enclosed here; Blest be the man that spares these stones And curst be he that moves my bones.
Hamlet
Principal conflict:
When the play begins, the old king Hamlet has been killed by his brother, Claudius, who now sits on the throne. Claudius has married the old king Hamlets wife, Gertrude. Young prince Hamlet (the son of the old king) is distraught over his fathers
Characters
Hamlet: Son of a murdered Danish king and nephew of the present king, Claudius. Hamlet suffers great mental anguish over the death of his father, the marriage of his mother to the suspected murderer.
Characters
Hamlet: Son of a murdered Danish king and nephew of the present king, Claudius. Hamlet suffers great mental anguish over the death of his father, the marriage of his mother to the suspected murderer. Claudius: The new King of Denmark, Hamlet's uncle. He killed Hamlets father, the old king, and married Gertrude.
Characters
Gertrude: Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother, and widow of the murdered king. Her marriage to Claudius within two months after the late kings funeral deeply disturbs Hamlet.
Characters
Gertrude: Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother, and widow of the murdered king. Her marriage to Claudius within two months after the late kings funeral deeply disturbs Hamlet. Polonius: Bootlicking Lord Chamberlain of King Claudius.
Characters
Gertrude: Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother, and widow of the murdered king. Her marriage to Claudius within two months after the late kings funeral deeply disturbs Hamlet. Polonius: Bootlicking Lord Chamberlain of King Claudius. Ophelia: Daughter of Polonius. She loves Hamlet, but is deeply disturbed by his erratic behavior.
Characters
Gertrude: Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother, and widow of the murdered king. Her marriage to Claudius within two months after the late kings funeral deeply disturbs Hamlet. Polonius: Bootlicking Lord Chamberlain of King Claudius. Ophelia: Daughter of Polonius. She loves Hamlet, but is deeply disturbed by his erratic behavior.
Horatio: Hamlets best friend. Horatio never wavers in his loyalty to Hamlet.
Characters
Laertes: Son of Polonius, brother of Ophelia. Rosencrantz, Guildenstern: Courtiers and friends of Hamlet who attended school with him. Players: Actors who arrive at Elsinore to offer an entertainment. Hamlet asks them to stage a drama called The Mouse-trap, about a throne- seeker who murders a king.