Shakespeare Flashcards
What is the difference between poetry and prose?
Poetry is more concentrate language, heightened form of languages, and can also be called a verse. “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? “ Prose is ordinary everyday language. “get some bread and milk when you go to the store.
Metrical Writing/ Meter
The poetry shakespeare used. Regular rhythmic pattern in language. “a horse, a horse! my kingdom for a horse!”
Iambic Pentameter/ blank verse
unrhymed. Iamb unit of speech that contains one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
Stressed Syllable
A stressed syllable a person would put emphasis on when they speak. A straight line means the syllable is stressed.
Unstressed Syllable
a person would not put emphasis on when they speak. Can be marked with a “u”
penta
5
meter
means regular rhythmic pattern
A perfect iambic pentameter
A perfect iambic pentameter is when it has 5 iambs
Why did Shakespeare write in iambic pentameter?
The reason why Shakespeare wrote in iambic pentameter was because he wanted to and because it was common to write in that form.
the rhythm of the iambs was closely related to the natural rhythms of a person’s speech
Why were words so important in an Elizabethan play? (3 reasons)
There was no movies, not many props or high quality costumes and lighting
people are used to listening to long stories because there was no television
more verbal than visual
words were used to set the scene
How many shakespeare sonnets are there?
154
What is one thing that is unknown about Shakespeares sonnets?
The speaker is mostly unknown
which sonnet is addressed to “the dark lady”
Sonnet 130
How does Sonnet 18 praise “poetry itself”
Sonnet 18 talks about summer although summer can have bad weather and when its good it doesn’t last long. Furthermore sonnet 18 wasn’t talking about summer but poetry and hows it forever.
How many lines are in a sonnet
14 lines, 4 quadrants and one couplet
What do the last two lines of sonnet 18 suggest?
The last two lines of sonnet 28 suggest that poetry lives on forever.
What was Shakespeares education like?
He went to school in age 7 in 1571. He studied 6 days a week from 5:30 in the morning to 6 in the evening.
“love is not time’s fool”
Love goes at its own pace, its not bound by time and can be forever.
Queen Elizabeth Rule: Catholic vs. Protestant and how this influenced Shakespeares life?
When was Shakespeare born?
1564
When did shakespeare die?
1616 April 23
Where did Shakespeare live?
Stratford-upon-Avon
Who were Shakespeares parents?
Mary, daughter of wealthy landowner
John-Glovemaker, local politician
What was school like during Shakespeares youth? When did Shakespeare drop out of school? What did he study and were did he attend?
Long and rigorous, dropped out in “middle school” after his father lost his fortune. He studied history latin, religion, logic. He attended Kings new schools
Who was Shakespeare married to?
1582 married to Anne Hathaway
Did Shakespeare have children?
Yes, they had twins. Hammet and Judith. Hammet died at age 11 by the plague.
what happened during 1583- 1592
moved to london, started working in theater. This was known as “lost years”
How old was Shakespeare during the lost years?
He was in his early twenties
What was the name of the theater that was built in 1599 and Shakespeare invested in?
Globe theater. Shakespeare was one of the primary investors.
What happened to the Globe theater in 1599?
The glove theater had burned down during one of Shakespeares play
How many plays did Shakespeare right?
38 in total. 14 comedies, 10 histories, 10 tragedies, and 4 romances.
Where is he buried?
Holy Trinity church
What is significant about his gravestone?
covered by a flat stone with an epitaph warning of a curse to come upon anyone who moves his bones.
What language did Shakespeare speak?
Didn’t write in “old english” or “middle english” he had wrote in early modern english. For example, critical, majestic, one fell swoop, flesh and blood. A mix of rural and urban. Understanable to everyone, even the lowest peasant and highest noble.
What are some sources of inspiration for Shakespeares work?
Two plays based on original plots. Most based on stories that were already told.
Pyramus and Thisbe
Pyramus and Thisbe were in love with eachother but kept apart by there parents who hated eachother. They had eventually decided to meet up by a laurel tree. Thisbe arrives first but thinks that she hears a lion and runs away, leaving her veil to be ripped up. Pyramus finds the veil and thinks that Thisbe died, he than kills himself. Thisbe comes back and kills herself to so they can be together in the underworld.
What are the themes and symbols in the story Pyramus and Thisbe?
A theme is that love can’t keep people apart, and is unbreakable. The sepulchre is a symbol of their unbreakable love. The mulberry tree is a symbol of how love can drive you to make impulsive decisions which can bring sorror and pain to others.
Why are people so fascinated by Shakespeare?
Shakespeare understood what makes people tick, good portral of human relationships.
What are the 5 facts that are known about Shakespeare?
Christene in Stratford-upon-avon, April 26th 1564. Married Ann Hathaway november 27, 1582. Daughter Sussan christened may 26th, 1583, with twins Judeth and Hammet February 2, 1585 1592- name first appears in print. Died at stratford-upon-avon April 23, 1616. Buried in the same church he was born.
3 things that London was like during Shakespeares life?
dramatic contrasts, great palaces, dark hidden alley ways, taverns, romantic.
Who are the groundlings?
People who pay a penny for the theater seat thats on the ground. Always get rained on because London is extremely rainy.
Why were the plays performed during the afternoon?
most of the lighting had to be suppled by the sun.
Clothing and costumes
Costumes were elegants and flamboyant. Clothing was plain, earth colored, wool linen. Upperclass would wear silk, satin, velvet, several layers of clothing.
Why didn’t london officials like theaters?
They think it spreads diseases, the plague, pickpocketers, prostitutes, con artists.
why weren’t women able to perform on stage?
It was forbidden by the law
What was the main “job” for women? What were some of the rules for women?
They couldn’t vote, minimal legals rights, hardly any education, couldn’t be lawyers or doctors, teachers. The main job a women had was being married.
in 1593 how long had elizabeth been on the throne?
40 years
How did Queen Elizabeth feel about the plays?
She loved the theater. The theater probably wouldn’t have lasted without her love for it.
Why didn’t Queen Elizabeth marry?
It server her well, specially when talking about foreign policy.
Why is Romeo and Juliet such an important play in Shakespeare career?
He mixed types of plays together. Started as comidy ended in tragedy. That set him apart from other playwrites who only had one genre.
How long was the reherseal time?
It was very short, usually put up in a week. People would study hundreds of lines a day.
