William Shakespeare: Life and Works
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Questions and Answers

What does metatheatre typically involve?

  • Engaging in direct physical interaction with the audience
  • Strictly adhering to traditional theatre structures
  • Exhibiting realistic portrayals without audience acknowledgment
  • Self-consciously reflecting on the nature of theatre itself (correct)

Which event occurred in 1066 that had a significant impact on English history?

  • The launching of the Sea Venture
  • The Battle of Hastings (correct)
  • The marriage of Henry VIII
  • The construction of the Globe Theatre

Which Shakespearean work is believed to have been inspired by a historical shipwreck?

  • Macbeth
  • The Tempest (correct)
  • Hamlet
  • Julius Caesar

Which of the following is NOT one of Henry VIII's queens?

<p>Elizabeth I (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following works was inspired by The Tempest?

<p>Hag-seed (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What age was William Shakespeare when he married Anne Hathaway?

<p>18 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many plays did Shakespeare write?

<p>38 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following categories does NOT classify Shakespeare's plays?

<p>Horrors (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant event drove Shakespeare to write poetry in 1593?

<p>The closure of theatres due to the plague (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which role did Richard Burbage NOT play?

<p>Romeo (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is considered one of the last plays that Shakespeare wrote alone?

<p>The Tempest (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When did William Shakespeare die?

<p>April 23, 1616 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of Shakespeare's only son?

<p>Hamnet (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary intention of the Catholic plotters during Guy Fawkes Night?

<p>To assassinate King James I and his parliament (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet?

<p>ABAB CDCD EFEF GG (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinct period is referred to as the Golden Age of England?

<p>The reign of Elizabeth I (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant change in themes occurred during the Elizabethan theatre period?

<p>Plays incorporated historical topics and nationalism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of a Petrarchan sonnet?

<p>An octave followed by a sestet (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is commonly associated with Jacobean drama?

<p>Harsh satire and themes of moral corruption (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which monarch was known as the 'Virgin Queen'?

<p>Elizabeth I (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What event led to the original Globe Theatre burning down?

<p>A cannon shot during a performance (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a Shakespearean sonnet, where does the volta typically occur?

<p>Towards the end of the third quatrain (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which individual was primarily responsible for the construction of the original Theatre before the Globe?

<p>James Burbage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which rhyme scheme is commonly used in the octave of a Petrarchan sonnet?

<p>ABBAABBA (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When was the new Globe Theatre completed on the site of the original?

<p>1614 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary element marks the shift in tone or perspective within a sonnet?

<p>Volta (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did the Puritans take regarding the theatre in 1642?

<p>They closed down all theatres (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of performances are characterized by featuring music and elaborate sets, especially in Jacobean theatre?

<p>Masques (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which monarch's reign is most closely associated with the establishment and flourishing of Elizabethan theatre?

<p>Elizabeth I (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Shakespeare's Birth Date

Around April 23, 1564.

Shakespeare's Death Date

April 23, 1616.

Shakespeare's Education

Likely attended Stratford grammar school, focused on Latin classics.

Shakespeare's Marriage

Married Anne Hathaway in late 1582.

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Lost Years (Shakespeare)

Period of Shakespeare's life, 1585-1592, with little known information.

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Lord Chamberlain's Men

Shakespeare's acting company, later named King's Men.

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Shakespeare's Play Types

Comedies, histories, romances, and tragedies.

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Shakespeare's Retirement

Retired to Stratford sometime after 1611.

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What is metatheatre?

A type of theatre where the play self-consciously acknowledges it's a performance, often breaking the 'fourth wall' to interact with the audience.

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What inspired The Tempest?

Shakespeare's play "The Tempest" is believed to be inspired by the real-life shipwreck of the 'Sea Venture' in 1609. This ship was carrying supplies for English settlers in Virginia, but was caught in a hurricane, stranding the crew on Bermuda. The story of their survival was widely circulated in England, likely influencing Shakespeare's play.

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What is the 'fourth wall'?

The imaginary barrier between the actors on stage and the audience. It's like an invisible wall separating the fictional world of the play from the real world of the audience.

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What does 'wooden O' refer to?

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre was a circular building with a stage in the center. The circular shape reminded many of the letter 'O', hence Shakespeare's nickname for his theatre: "wooden O."

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What is a 'Thatched Roof'?

A thatched roof is a type of roof construction where plant materials like straw, reeds, or grasses are used to cover the structure. It was commonly used in the past, especially for homes in rural areas.

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Elizabethan Theatre

The style of theatre that flourished during Queen Elizabeth I's reign in England, known for its professional actors, blank verse plays, and non-religious themes.

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Jacobean Drama

A theatrical style that emerged during the reign of King James I, characterized by harsh satire, dark themes of corruption and revenge, and elaborate masques.

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What was the Globe Theatre?

The famous outdoor amphitheatre built in London during the Elizabethan era, where Shakespeare's company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, performed.

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Why was the Globe Theatre rebuilt?

The original Globe was destroyed by fire during a performance of Henry VIII in 1613, but was quickly rebuilt on the same site.

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What happened to the Globe Theatre after Shakespeare's death?

The Globe continued operating until 1642 when the Puritans closed it down, and it was demolished a few years later.

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What happened to the Globe Theatre in the late 20th century?

The foundations of the original Globe were discovered in 1989, leading the way for a modern reconstruction of the theatre, completed in 1997.

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What is special about the Globe Theatre's history?

The Globe Theatre is a fascinating example of how theatre, culture, and history are intertwined, as it reflects social, political, and religious changes throughout the centuries.

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Why is Elizabethan Theatre still important today?

Elizabethan theatre continues to influence modern theatre through its dramatic techniques, exploration of human nature, and enduring themes.

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Guy Fawkes Night

A commemoration in England on November 5 of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a failed attempt to assassinate King James I and blow up Parliament.

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Elizabeth I's Reign

Known as the Golden Age, a period of English Renaissance marked by the rise of Shakespeare and flourishing arts.

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James I

King of Scotland as James VI and King of England and Ireland as James I, who united the Scottish and English crowns.

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Shakespearean Sonnet Structure

Consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a concluding couplet.

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Shakespearean Sonnet Rhyme Scheme

Typically ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, including a volta (shift in mood) near the end of the third quatrain.

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Petrarchan Sonnet Structure

Composed of an octave (eight-line stanza) and a sestet (six-line stanza).

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Petrarchan Sonnet Rhyme Scheme

Octave usually ABBAABBA, sestet with variable schemes like CDCDCD or CDECDE.

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Sonnet Volta

A turning point in the sonnet, often marking a shift in mood or thought.

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Study Notes

William Shakespeare

  • Born approximately April 23, 1564.
  • Died April 23, 1616.
  • Nicknamed the Bard.
  • Likely attended Stratford grammar school until age 15.
  • Married Anne Hathaway in late 1582.
  • Had children Susanna, Judith, and Hamnet.
  • Hamnet died in 1596 at age 11.
  • Years 1585-1592 are largely unknown regarding Shakespeare's life and activities.
  • Worked in the theatre in London starting in 1594.
  • Became a founding member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men (King's Men after 1603).
  • Richard Burbage was a leading actor in the group.
  • Shakespeare acted in, wrote, and played multiple roles in various plays during the group's time together.
  • Wrote approximately 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and several poems.
  • Play categories include comedies, romances, histories, and tragedies.
  • The Tempest is believed to have been written around 1610–1611.
  • Worked with John Fletcher on The Two Noble Kinsmen likely in 1613.
  • Retired to Stratford sometime after 1611.
  • Revised and signed his will in March 1616.
  • Died on April 23, 1616.

Elizabethan Theatre

  • Style of performance flourished during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
  • Marked by professional actors and troupes.
  • Plays were free of religious themes.
  • Often focused on historical figures and themes of English nationalism.
  • Plays were often presented in a sense of humanism, reflecting a renewed interest in Greek and Roman antiquity.

Jacobean Drama

  • Dramatic style during the reign of King James I (also James VI of Scotland).
  • Focused on harsh satire and moral corruption.
  • Often featured violent stories of revenge.
  • Incorporates masques (dramas with music and elaborate sets).
  • Examined themes relating to corruption, sex, and violence in human nature.

The Globe Theatre

  • Performed in the Theatre initially built by James Burbage in 1576.
  • Company dismantled the Theatre, and built the Globe Theatre circa 1599 in Bankside, London.
  • Built by Shakespeare's company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men.
  • Burned down in 1613.
  • Replaced before Shakespeare's death.
  • Operated until 1642 before the Puritans closed down the theater.

Play Structure

  • Shakespearean sonnets: Three quatrains and a concluding couplet.
  • Rhyme scheme typically ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
  • Shakespeare often contained a volta (turn) in the poem to shift the perspective.
  • Petrarchan sonnets: An octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines).
    • Rhyme schemes vary in the octave and sestet.

Inspirations and History

  • The Tempest: Could be inspired by the ‘Sea Venture’ shipwreck in 1609.
  • Historical figures and events were referenced.

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Introduction to Shakespeare PDF

Description

This quiz explores the life and contributions of William Shakespeare, known as the Bard. From his birth in 1564 to his works in the theatre and the plays he wrote, test your knowledge about his extraordinary impact on literature and drama.

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