Sonnets and Plays
What genres of plays did Shakespeare write?
Comedies, Tragedies, and Histories
In which English town was William Shakespeare born?
Stratford-upon-Avon
What was the theater called that Shakespeare mostly worked at?
The Globe Theater
Why is it called the "Elizabethan" Era?
It was the time period in which Queen Elizabeth I reigned
A pair of successive lines in poetry that rhyme and typically share the same meter
Rhyming Couplet
How many lines is a sonnet and what is the rhyme scheme?
14 lines
ABABCDCDEFEFGG
What was the name of Shakespeare's wife?
Anne Hathaway
Who was theatre a form of entertainment for in the Elizabethan era?
The general public/common English subjects and royalty alike, including the Queen
Which disease killed nearly 10,000 people in London at the turn of the 16th century?
the Plague
A character's inherent weakness that contributes to their downfall (also known as Hamartia)
Tragic Flaw
Name at least 3 common elements of Shakespeare's tragedies
Tragic hero, catharsis, supernatural, internal/external conflicts, revenge, fate, tragic flaw
What is special about Shakespeare's death date?
It is said to be on his birthday, April 23, 1616
What was the cheapest area to buy tickets in the theater? What were the people called who stood in that area?
Ordinary people stood in the area right in front of the stage; the Groundlings stood there for a penny
What other forms of entertainment did theatre contend with?
Jousting, animal baiting (bears and bulls), dog fighting, dancing, attending masquerades, and even prostitution
A short remark or comment made by a character directly to the audience but unheard by other characters on stage
Aside
How many plays did Shakespeare write? Name 3 of them!
37
What day/year was William Shakespeare born?
April 23, 1564
What was special about male and female roles in Elizabethan productions?
All roles were played by men, as women were not allowed to work as actresses in England until 1660.
What were common superstitions of the Elizabethan era?
Ghosts. Old magic. Mystical powers of animals. Witchcraft. Black cats. Bad omens.
A speech delivered by a character to the audience when they are alone onstage, or when they believe themselves to be alone, expressing their inner thoughts and emotions
Soliloquy
What meter is a Shakespearean sonnet written in? Hint: Blank Verse in Shakespeare is often written in this meter
Iambic Pentameter
What was scandalous about Shakespeare's marriage?
His wife was already pregnant when they got married, and she was 8 years older than him: he was 18
What was the Name of the theatre company Shakespeare (partly) owned?
The Lord Chamberlain's Men
What were common drinks of the era? Hint: Water is not one of them...
Beer, Ale, Cider, Wine; water was often too contaminated to drink
A long, uninterrupted speech delivered by a single character, either addressing other characters or the audience
Monologue