I. The Life and Legacy of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor,
widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language.
The Globe Theatre: Most of his plays were performed at the Globe in
London. The theatre's "thrust stage" created an intimate environment where
actors interacted closely with the audience.
The Language: Shakespeare is credited with introducing over 1,700 words
to the English language (e.g., lonely, swagger, gossip). He primarily wrote in
iambic pentameter, a rhythmic line consisting of five "feet," each with an
unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM
da-DUM da-DUM).
The First Folio: Published in 1623, seven years after his death, this collection
preserved 36 of his plays, many of which might have been lost otherwise.
II. Categorization of the Plays
Shakespeare's plays are traditionally divided into three genres:
Genre Key Characteristics Examples
Focus on a "Tragic Hero" with a fatal flaw Hamlet, Macbeth,
Tragedies
(hamartia); usually ends in multiple deaths. Othello
Features wordplay, mistaken identities, and
Twelfth Night, Much
Comedies complex plots; almost always ends in a
Ado About Nothing
marriage.
Dramatized accounts of English monarchs, often
Histories Henry V, Richard III
used to explore political legitimacy.
I. The Tragedies (The Great Four + One)
1. Hamlet
The Plot: The Prince of Denmark discovers his father was murdered by his uncle,
Claudius. Hamlet descends into a spiral of indecision and feigned madness.
Key Theme: Inaction vs. Action. Hamlet is the "thinking man’s" hero; his intellect
prevents him from acting until it is too late.
Quote: "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."
Analysis: This highlights the play’s focus on subjectivity and interiority.
Shakespeare suggests that reality is shaped by the mind, contributing to the play's
reputation as the first "modern" psychological drama.
2. Macbeth
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor,
widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language.
The Globe Theatre: Most of his plays were performed at the Globe in
London. The theatre's "thrust stage" created an intimate environment where
actors interacted closely with the audience.
The Language: Shakespeare is credited with introducing over 1,700 words
to the English language (e.g., lonely, swagger, gossip). He primarily wrote in
iambic pentameter, a rhythmic line consisting of five "feet," each with an
unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM
da-DUM da-DUM).
The First Folio: Published in 1623, seven years after his death, this collection
preserved 36 of his plays, many of which might have been lost otherwise.
II. Categorization of the Plays
Shakespeare's plays are traditionally divided into three genres:
Genre Key Characteristics Examples
Focus on a "Tragic Hero" with a fatal flaw Hamlet, Macbeth,
Tragedies
(hamartia); usually ends in multiple deaths. Othello
Features wordplay, mistaken identities, and
Twelfth Night, Much
Comedies complex plots; almost always ends in a
Ado About Nothing
marriage.
Dramatized accounts of English monarchs, often
Histories Henry V, Richard III
used to explore political legitimacy.
I. The Tragedies (The Great Four + One)
1. Hamlet
The Plot: The Prince of Denmark discovers his father was murdered by his uncle,
Claudius. Hamlet descends into a spiral of indecision and feigned madness.
Key Theme: Inaction vs. Action. Hamlet is the "thinking man’s" hero; his intellect
prevents him from acting until it is too late.
Quote: "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."
Analysis: This highlights the play’s focus on subjectivity and interiority.
Shakespeare suggests that reality is shaped by the mind, contributing to the play's
reputation as the first "modern" psychological drama.
2. Macbeth
