A Brief (and witty) Look at the Life and

Times of William Shakespeare

How ShakespeareWrote Plays

His ToolsA quill: the hollow, rigid shaft of a bird’s feather. Fun Fact: The word “pen” is derived from the Latin name for “feather”—“penna.”Introduced in 500 A.D. and was the writing instrument of choice until 1850

Lighting

Did he use dictionaries?

How setting affected his writingUsed dialogue to make up for sparse decorationsImaginative cooperation of the audienceInformal stage created intimacy between the actors and audience

CensorshipManuscripts had to be submitted for approval.The authorities allowed the theater to deal with political issues only if they did not refer too obviously to current affairs. An acting company could alter a script as they saw fit—with or without a playwright's approval. Did any of Shakespeare’s original manuscripts survive?

The Five Act Play

Gustav Freytag: Dramatic Technique

Act 1: Exposition. We meet the dramatis personae, and time and place are established. We learn about the antecedents of the story. Attention is directed toward the germ of

conflict and dramatic tensions.Marlin’s cautious nature is shown when he goes in and out of the home indefinitely, checking for danger.Nemo’s ‘lucky fin’ is revealed, showing that he was physically affected by the baraccuda attack.We also see that Nemo is a regular kid, annoyed by his father’s worrying.Marlin is socially awkward, tells bad jokes.

Act 2: Complications (Rising Action). The rising action is the series of

adventures the characters go on. Each adventure slowly takes them towards the climax. Quality

stories get increasingly suspenseful and tense as the climax approaches. The rising action begins with an

event known as the “inciting incident.”

Essential CharacteristicsSeveral mini-adventures within the main plotLongest act of the storyBuilds tension, excitement, and suspense over time

Examples of rising action from Finding Nemo:Inciting incident: Nemo is taken by the divers!Marlin encounters the sharks.Marlin goes through the jellyfish.Nemo gains the friendship of the aquarium fish.Nemo attempts to escape the aquarium.

Act 3: The Climax. The development of conflict reaches its

high point, the Hero stands at the crossroads, leading to victory or defeat,

crashing or soaring.

Example from Finding Nemo: The search for Nemo intersects with Nemo’s own adventures in the dentist’s office. The climax continues into the ocean, reaching its peak when Nemo rescues the fish trapped in a net.

Act 4: Falling Action. Reversals. The consequences of Act 3

play out, momentum slows, and tension is heightened by false hopes/fears. If it's a tragedy, it looks like the Hero can be

saved. If not, then it looks like all may be lost.

Essential CharacteristicsShows the outcome of the climaxTells the reader the status of the main characters Example: This is when Nemo saves Dorie and Marlin learns to trust his son.

Act 5: Catastrophe/Resolution. The conflict is resolved, whether through a catastrophe, the downfall of the hero, or

through his victory and transfiguration. The dénouement reveals how the characters

have “changed over time.”In Finding Nemo, the dénouement

shows:Marlin finally tells his whole joke.Marlin is no longer over protective of his son.Nemo is confident and happy.

The End