Shakespeare Presentation

Shakespeare was born in a very conservative society. Mia and Terry talked about this. Arranged marriages were very common and were controlled by parents. Women in those days received very few rights. They were not allowed to enter professions like acting, medicine, law and politics. Men were allowed to beat up their wives. People in those days also believed very strongly in witchcraft. If they believed that they had found a witch, she would be killed immediately.

Danial and I decided to do a presentation on Shakespearean theatre.The theatre in Shakespearean times was very different from today’s theatre. You were allowed to talk, eat, drink, cheer and boo. Most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed in The Globe theatre. It was built in 1599 a company called Lord Chamberlain’s men. Shakespeare was a shareholder in that company. It could hold up to 3000 people at a time, and attracted audiences of all ages throughout the hierarchy. Two plays were performed every day, usually in the afternoon. This was because it was too hot in the morning and too dark in the evening. Natural light was needed as there was no artificial light during those times.

The Globe theatre had a diameter of more than 30 meters. The stage itself was approximately 13 meters wide and 8 meters deep, though it only rose 1.5 meters from the ground. Many tools such as trap doors, candles, curtains and signs were also added. It was built out of timber, nails and stones and was open aired.

You were seated in The Globe according to your position on the social hierarchy. The peasants stood in the “pit”. They had to pay a penny per person as entrance fee and were referred to as “groundlings”. The gentry paid to sit in the galleries. They would be given cushions for extra comfort. Nobleman would pay up to 5 dollars, and sit on chairs on the stage itself.  Queen Elizabeth herself loved to watch Shakespeare’s plays, but never attended theatres. She had them performed privately at indoor playhouses instead.

Language was used to describe the scenery rather than using props. Shakespeare’s plays were supposed to be read instead of seen, so he made use of many language techniques such as alliteration, repetition, rhyme, assonance and onomatopoeia.

The theatre was not very popular at that time. People would frown upon it and it was even banned in some places. Shakespeare changed all that. His plays were so interesting and popular amongst the people that theatre became one of Britain’s favorite past times. Women were not allowed to act in plays nor attend theatre. Women’s roles were played by young boys instead.However, wealthy women were allowed, although they wore masks when they came to watch a play.

The Globe was not the only theatre in which Shakespeare’s plays were performed, although it was the most famous. Other places included The Theatre, The Curtain, Newington Butts, The Rose, The Swan, The Inn Yards, Blackfriars Theatre, The Royal Palaces. 

Some say that his play Romeo and Juliet was said to be inspired my his own marriage to Anne Hathaway.Jamie and Kai Song presented this idea. She was 8 years older than him and was pregnant before marriage. Shakespeare’s father arranged the marriage to prevent further gossip. Shakespeare himself was unhappy with the wedlock union and as time went on, their relationship got worse.

Others however, believed that Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was  just an English version of Arthur Brooks’  “The tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet”, which was originally written in Italian. Jamie and Kai Song both presented very well as they spoke clearly, maintaining eye contact with the class.
Azzah and Jake talked about the people who inspired Shakespeare. Most of his inspiration came from his family, friends, childhood, religion, other authors and history. His sister's personalities was reflected in many Shakespearean heroines. Their presentation was very interesting as most of the information was new to me. They both spoke loudly and clearly, which meant that the class understood them perfectly, as well as maintained eye contact.

Jasmin and Hong Yi presented a presentation about one of Shakespeare's most renowned plays: Julius Ceasar. A riveting tale of power, jealousy and treachery, Julius Ceasar tells the story of how Ceasar's best friend (Brutus), scared over the fact that he might be crowned King, decides to betray him by joining a band of conspirators in murdering him. In the end, a loyal friend of Ceasar's called Antony deceives Brutus into thinking that he understood him and then kills him after revealing his true intentions, avenging Ceasar. Although the play is called Julius Ceasar, most of it is written from Brutus' point of view. This play also demonstrates Shakespeare's writing techniques, such as foreshadowing ( hinting that something might happen through another event, such as a dream or a piece of advice). This presentation was presented and explained without using many notes, something I find very good.
Overall, I think the class managed to present their presentations well.