The World of Shakespeare

The World of Shakespeare

Introduction

William Shakespeare lived hundreds of years ago, but the themes in his plays still relate to life today. In Romeo and Juliet, he portrays the tragic fate of two star-crossed lovers. In Macbeth, he shows how power can corrupt even the best of men. Shakespeare's works often explore how people attempt to change their fates.

In this unit, you will explore one of Shakespeare's comedies, A Midsummer Night's Dream. The story combines the worlds of Greek nobles, comical commoners, and meddling fairies. The powers of love, magic, and societal expectations push the characters to act in unexpected ways.

Introduction

Shakespeare is also credited with creating or popularizing over 1,700 words that are still used in English today. 

The word swagger and bedroom were first used in A Midsummer Night's Dream, while the word bedazzled was first used in The Taming of the Shrew. 

Shakespeare's Plays

Shakespeare wrote at least 37 plays, but the total varies because historians disagree on who wrote a few of his plays. He wrote tragedies, comedies, and histories.

Comedies are known for clever wordplay and funny insults; they often have a happy ending or a wedding at the end. Mistaken identities lead to funny and confusing situations in comedies.

Comedy

Tragedies show a fictional hero's downfall due to a flaw; this is often a nobleman, which makes their downfall even more tragic.

Tragedy

Shakespeare's Plays

Histories focus on the lives of historical figures; these are often kings or noble people.

History

Shakespeare's Plays

Shakespeare's plays are written in a five-act structure. This structure is similar to Freytag's plot pyramid.

The Five-Act Structure

Shakespeare's Plays

Multiple Choice

Which type of play shows a tragic hero's downfall?

• comedy

• tragedy

• history

Multiple Choice

Which type of play uses humor and has a happy ending?

• comedy

• tragedy

• history

How are the plays structured?

Smaller units within an act that represent specific times and places.

Scenes

Larger sections of a play that divide the story into key narrative parts.

(Think chapters in a book.)

Acts

Plays are broken into acts and scenes.

notes that provide instructions on how a scene should be performed, including character movements and production details; set apart from the text by brackets and written in italics

Stage Directions

a remark or passage in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by the other characters in the play

Aside

Common Terms

Multiple Choice

Which term is demonstrated below:

[Enter Lysander and Helena]

• aside

• stage directions

• Acts