Shakespeare Introduction Lesson

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo, mavo
• Leerjaar 1-3

Shakespeare Month

Week 1
Intro to Shakespeare 

The lesson goals 

You know who Shakespeare was.

You know the most important events in his life.

You can explain why Shakespeare is still so relevant today

You can explain why we are learning about Shakespeare

Shakespeare,
What do you already know?

Guess: Shakespeare was born in which century?

1. 14th Century
2. 15th Century
3. 16th Century
4. 17th Century

Who was William Shakespeare?

Shakespeare's life (1564 - 1616)

• April 1564: born in Stratford-upon-Avon
  
• November 1582: marries Anne Hathaway
  
• May 1583: daughter Susanna born
  
• early 1585: twins Judith and Hamnet born
  
• c. 1585: begins acting career in London
  
• c. 1592: well-known dramatist in London
  
• August 1596: son Hamnet dies
  
• c. 1610: retires to Stratford, buys a large house there
  
• 23 April 1616: dies in Stratford
  

Guess: How many plays (toneelstukken) did Shakespeare write?

1. 31
2. 37
3. 49
4. 54

Shakespearean Comedies

1. A struggle of young lovers overcoming difficulty

2. A separation and reunification

3. Mistaken identities

4. Use of puns and wordplay

5. A clever servant or friend

6. Story ends with marriage(s)

Shakespearean Tragedies

1. Tragic flaw

2. Supernatural elements

3. Revenge

4. An internal struggle

5. External pressure

6. Story ends with (mass) death

How many sonnets (gedichten) did Shakespeare write?

1. 154
2. 265
3. 765
4. 5

Sonnets

- Shakespeare's main form of poetry

- 14-line poem 

- 1609: Shakespeare's Sonnets = 154 poems

- Focused on love, devotion, delight, pride

- Or darker themes: shame, disgust, fear

Sonnet 18

This is one of Shakespeare's sonnets turned into a rap. 

Watch and learn.

Why are we studying Shakespeare? :

1. His stories all have plot devices we will find in other stories

2. Shakespeare's characters are very powerful and human

3. His plays are full of meaning and messages that are still relevant today. 

Shakespeare

• Shakespeare = influential writer in all of English literature
• 37 plays, 154 sonnets
• Famous stories and movies are based on his works, such as Lion King (Hamlet), West Side Story (Romeo & Juliet)  & She's the Man (Twelth Night)
• 500+ film adaptions of his plays

Shakespeare now

Shakespeare based movies & series:

What is Shakespeare Month?

Year 1: A midsummer night's dream

Year 2: Romeo and Juliet 

Year 3: Othello 

Write down what you now know about Shakespeare