Introduction to Shakespeare*William Shakespeare (1564? - 1616) was baptised in Stratford,
England on April 26, 1564 - however, the actual date of his birth is unknown *November 27, 1582 - he married Anne Hathaway - they moved to London by 1585 *little is known about Shakespeare’s life; therefore, a great deal of mystery surrounds his identity - many people believe that William Shakespeare was a pseudonym for Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford - Interesting Facts - William Shakespeare’s will did not contain even one book - Every story that Shakespeare tells already existed in one form (Romeo and Juliet = Pyramus and Thisbe) - he wrote plays to make money - he was an actor (member of Lord Chamberlain’s Men), writer, and co-owner of the Globe and the Blackfriars) - his plays were not considered high culture (unlike today) because theaters were considered places of sin - Shakespeare’s plays fall into four different categories: 1. Comedy - humorous; end in marriage (Much Ado About Nothing) 2. Tragedy - focuses more on serious issues; end in widespread death (Romeo and Juliet) 3. Romance (Problem Plays) - deal with a more specific issue (ie. Merchant of Venice - racism) 4. History - focuses on historical figures (ie. Richard III, Henry IV) |
ROMEO AND JULIETShakespeare’s plays deal with four common themes:
1. Conflict - quarrels within families; between families; political or international struggles; love as a source of conflict; inner conflict 2. Appearance vs. Reality - things and people are not what they seem 3. Order and Disorder - stability gives way to confusion - Order is always restored? 4. Change (Metamorphosis) - characters change in some way (Ex. life to death; development of new insights and increased compassion; kings fall from power) Romeo and Juliet - probably written in 1595 (one of Shakespeare’s first plays) - published in 1597 - a tragedy - two main plot lines: 1. Love and deaths of Romeo and Juliet 2. Feud between the Capulets and Montagues |