Tittle: "Shakespeare in Love Movie Notes and Reaction Question"
what do you know about Shakespeare's family life?
What do you notice about Shakespeare's love life?
What do you notice about how Shakespeare writers his plays and peoms?
what do you notice about the actors in Shakespeare's plays?
What do you notice about society and the segregation of classes during the late 1500's?
What do you notice about entertainment during Shakespeare's time?
1. Why did Viola have to pretend to be a boy to act in Romeo and Ethel,the Pirate's Daughter?
2. Explain two example of how Shakespeare's affair with Viola parallels his play,Romeo and Juliet?
3.Predict the success of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night,Or What You Will at the end of the movie,and why you made the prediction you did.
In the movie "Shakespeare in Love," the focus is primarily on William Shakespeare and his love life, rather than his family life. Therefore, there is limited information given about his family.
In terms of Shakespeare's love life, he is depicted as being involved in a passionate and forbidden love affair with a woman named Viola de Lesseps. Their relationship serves as inspiration for Shakespeare's famous play, "Romeo and Juliet." It is worth noting that Shakespeare, in the movie, has a more adventurous and romanticized love life compared to historical records.
Regarding how Shakespeare writes his plays and poems, the movie provides a glimpse into his creative process. He is shown encountering moments of inspiration, experiencing writer's block, and seeking inspiration from the world around him. The movie suggests that Shakespeare's personal experiences greatly influence the content and themes of his work.
The actors in Shakespeare's plays are shown as talented individuals who take on various roles, often cross-dressing and playing characters of the opposite gender. It is emphasized that acting was a male-dominated profession during that time, as women were forbidden from performing on stage. This is the reason why Viola must pretend to be a man to act in the play "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter."
During the late 1500s, society in England was highly segregated by social class. There was a clear division between the aristocracy, the middle class, and the lower class. The movie portrays this division through the interactions between characters from different social backgrounds. The characters' social status influences their opportunities and relationships, especially in the case of Shakespeare and Viola.
Entertainment during Shakespeare's time was diverse and catered to various interests. The movie showcases different forms of entertainment, including theater, music, dance, and even bear-baiting. The theater was a popular pastime for people of different social classes, and it provided a space for both highbrow and lowbrow entertainment.
Now, let's answer the specific questions:
1. Viola had to pretend to be a boy to act in "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter" because during that period, women were not allowed to perform on stage. The profession of acting was primarily reserved for men, and any female characters in the plays were played by young boys or adult men.
2. Two examples of how Shakespeare's affair with Viola parallels his play "Romeo and Juliet" are:
- Both involve forbidden love. In the play, Romeo and Juliet come from feuding families, and their love is deemed inappropriate. Similarly, Shakespeare and Viola's relationship is considered forbidden due to societal restrictions.
- Both relationships are secret and require secrecy to flourish. In "Romeo and Juliet," the young lovers must hide their relationship from their families. Similarly, Shakespeare and Viola must conceal their affair because it would not be socially acceptable for them to be together.
3. It is difficult to predict the success of Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night, Or What You Will" solely based on the developments in the movie. However, considering the talent and creativity portrayed by Shakespeare throughout the film, it is reasonable to predict that his play will be well-received. Furthermore, the film suggests that the play has strong and engaging characters, comedic elements, and a captivating storyline, indicating potential success. However, the actual success or failure of the play cannot be determined solely through the events depicted in the movie.
To answer each of these questions and make predictions, let's start by understanding Shakespeare's family life, love life, writing style, actors in his plays, society during his time, and the entertainment culture of the late 1500s.
1. Shakespeare's family life:
To learn about Shakespeare's family life, you can research biographies or historical records on William Shakespeare. Look for information on his parents, siblings, spouse, and children. Additionally, explore his upbringing, education, and any significant events in his family's history.
2. Shakespeare's love life:
To understand Shakespeare's love life, you can examine his relationships with Anne Hathaway, his wife, and any rumored affairs or romantic entanglements. Biographies and historical documents may provide valuable insights into his personal life, including the speculations surrounding his love affairs.
3. Shakespeare's writing style:
To observe how Shakespeare writes his plays and poems, you can study his works directly. Analyze his use of language, poetic devices, themes, character development, and dramatic structure. Reading and analyzing his plays like "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," or "Macbeth" will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of his writing style.
4. Actors in Shakespeare's plays:
You can gain knowledge about the actors in Shakespeare's plays by investigating historical records or theater archives from that era. Look for information on notable actors who performed in Shakespeare's plays and their contributions to the theater scene during that time. Biographies of famous actors from the Elizabethan period may highlight their experiences in Shakespearean productions.
5. Society and the segregation of classes:
To grasp the concept of society and class segregation during the late 1500s, you can explore historical sources, books, and articles that discuss the social structure, hierarchy, and norms of that era. Look into the roles of the nobility, gentry, commoners, and servants to understand the societal divisions prevalent at the time.
6. Entertainment during Shakespeare's time:
To learn about the entertainment culture during Shakespeare's time, you can examine sources such as Elizabethan theater records, literature on popular forms of entertainment, and historical accounts of public gatherings. Research plays, masques, music, dances, bear-baiting, and other recreational activities that were popular during the Elizabethan era.
Now, let's address the specific questions:
1. Viola pretending to be a boy:
To understand why Viola had to pretend to be a boy to act in "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter" (a fictional play within the movie "Shakespeare in Love"), you need to watch or read the movie/play. This will give you the context and storyline where Viola's disguise is necessary for her involvement in the performance.
2. Parallels between Shakespeare's affair and "Romeo and Juliet":
To identify examples of parallels between Shakespeare's affair with Viola and his play "Romeo and Juliet," watch or read "Shakespeare in Love" and analyze the similarities and themes presented in both narratives. Look for connections in terms of forbidden love, societal expectations, secret relationships, and the challenges faced by the lovers.
3. Predicting the success of "Twelfth Night, Or What You Will":
To predict the success of Shakespeare's play "Twelfth Night, Or What You Will" at the end of the movie "Shakespeare in Love," reflect on the context, themes, and events depicted in the movie. Consider factors such as the audience's reaction, the quality of the play's performance, the reception of the characters, and any references to critical acclaim or popularity within the movie's storyline. Based on these elements, you can make an informed prediction about the play's success.