Circling the Globe at Shakespeare's Theatre

Missing the tour of the Globe due to misinformation, we returned again today for a visit. The performance of 'As You Like It' was fabulous. Well acted and the costumes were perfect for the time period.

Here is a photo of the set for 'As You Like It'. . .

And here is the set for 'Merchant of Venice' showing this afternoon, put together in ONE hour. We watched them do it as we listened to our tour guide. Unbelievable!

It was not pleasant to be an actor on this stage in Shakespeare's time. The crowd standing in front would stink from sweat, be rowdy, and loud. The upper class sat on either side of the stage, and they would be discussing the actors during the play, even to the point of criticizing their acting, and asking questions about the next act, etc, during the performance!

Today, we toured the place, and visited the exhibition, which gave insight into all that was involved. Here is a model of the Globe in Shakespeare's time. It was burned down when the director decided to use special effects. . .a cannon, forgetting the theatre was made of thatch and wood!

Play goers would put their coins (1p for standing room in front of the stage, 2p for center seats, and 3p for seats nearer to the stage, with cushions), in this slot, and when it was full, the collectors would break it open and put the coins in a box in the office. Thus the term, 'box office' was born.

Here are a few costumes from past plays:

                

                        Juliet's nurse

                                                  

                                                          Merchant of Venice

                                                                                       

                                                                                          Cleopatra, played by a man

In those days, everything was hand made. . .

The props, too, were hand made:

And so ends our tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theate. By the way, did you know that we have hundreds of words and phrases that came into the English language throught this prolific writer?

Gossip and monumental are two words he brought to us. 

And the phrases, 

• Eaten me out of house and home (2 Henry IV)
• Forever and a day (As You Like It)
• Heart of gold (Henry V)
• In my mind's eye (Hamlet)
• Melted into thin air (The Tempest)
• Neither rhyme nor reason (As You Like It)
• Parting is such sweet sorrow (Romeo and Juliet)
• Spotless reputation (Richard II)
• Too much of a good thing (As You Like It)
• The world's my oyster (Merry Wives of Windsor)

Is Your Character Static or Dynamic?

Our history course this year includes a mini unit on Shakespeare and his works.  We've just listened to an excellent 3 part DVD series by Schlessinger Media called, "Shakespeare for Students."  Very simply explained, but meaty.

Wikipedia Commons

In The Characters of Shakespeare (Part 1) we learn there are two types of characters in Shakespeare's works: static and dynamic.

Here is a summary:


Static (or Stock) Character- does not change during the course of the story, a shallow two-dimensional figure, used to carry along the story, add comic relief, or provide a menacing presence. The Fool in "King Lear" (which, by the way, is the most "tragic of his tragedies"
...nothing good comes from it, unless it is a lesson for the readers!) is one example.
A villainous character would be Iago in "Othello", or Edmund in "King Lear."

Dynamic Character- one who changes, for better or worse, in the course of the play, a deeper, three-dimensional character, such as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet." She matures into a complex young lady by the last act, but, unfortunately, it's too late.  Another example is Macbeth, who moves from a valiant war hero to a paranoid murderer within the course 
of the play.

So, this got me thinking...

Not only is this good to know as we develop our own characters in a story (too many static characters spoil the broth, and visa versa), but ponder this:  What sort of character am I?  What kind do I wish to be?

Hopefully, it's obvious that you can't be a dynamic character if you have no trials and tribulations.  How many people do you know who have everything they want and need...are they shallow, or complex?

So, be thankful if God allows troubles in your life!  It will make you a more well-rounded 3D character, who will be wiser, more compassionate and helpful to others. Now that's character!