Shakespeare Background Final

Front

What were the people called who stood near the stage to watch the play?

Back

Groundlings

Front

What is the term for plays that typically have a happy ending, often involving marriage?

Back

Comedy

Front

What is a sonnet?

Back

A poetic form consisting of 14 lines, typically with a specific rhyme scheme and meter.

Front

Why didn't theaters use scenery in the 1500s?

Back

They could not afford to.

Front

What is a story or play that ends unhappily called?

Back

Tragedy

Front

What is the primary purpose of a comedy in theater?

Back

To entertain and amuse the audience, often through humorous situations.

Front

What are the main characteristics of a tragedy?

Back

A serious tone, a focus on human suffering, and often a moral lesson.

Front

What is the structure of a Shakespearean sonnet?

Back

It consists of three quatrains followed by a couplet, typically written in iambic pentameter.

Front

What role did groundlings play in the theater experience?

Back

They provided a lively audience atmosphere and were often vocal in their reactions.

Front

What is the significance of marriage in comedies?

Back

Marriage often symbolizes resolution and harmony, concluding the play on a positive note.