The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
I William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
A Early Life (not much is known)
1.
Born in Stratford-upon-England on April 23, 1564
2.
Married Anne Hathaway and fathered three children
3.
1585 moved to London to be an actor
4.
lived under Queen Elizabeth and, later, King James I
B. Career
1.
Because of an outbreak of the plague, all theaters were closed for several years. He was forced to write.
2.
By 1592, he had found some success as actor, poet, playwright
3.
1594 joined Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later renamed The King’s Men) England’s premier acting troupe
4.
1599 Globe Theater was built
1.
octagonal, open roofed theater
2.
held up to 3,000
3.
welcomed all society—from royalty to groundlings
4.
all roles played by men
5.
daytime only; no settings or props but costumes were vivid.
5.
Retired as a wealthy and successful celebrity before dying on April 23, 1616 (his birthday)
C. Literary Contributions
1. Most quoted, most performed, most studied literary figure.
2. Wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems
3. Plays a. Comedies b. Histories c. Tragedies d. Romances
II Tragedy—
A.Definition-Drama dealing with serious themes, ending in the suffering or death of principal characters.
1.
First defined by Aristotle around 300 B.C.
2.
Should cause the audience to feel fear and pity.
3.
CATHARSIS—is the purgation of these feelings; you are cleansed of bad feelings.
.
B.
TRAGIC HERO – main character who is involved in a struggle of great signifigance that ends in CATASTROPHE (death or punishment)
1.
Hero is usually in a position of high rank
2.
Hero falls or is ruined by a tragic flaw
(Like greed, ambition, pride)
3.
HUBRIS- Greek for exaggerated self-
confidence. Belief you are above the gods or fate.