Shakespeare Background & Literary Terms

What time of day were plays performed at The Globe? 

audience or reader knows something important that a character in a play does not know

words spoken by a character to another, but are not supposed to be overheard by others onstage

humor added that lessens the seriousness of the plot

Who was Shakespeare's wife? 

a long speech in which a character alone on stage expresses his or her inner thoughts aloud

Who was in charge of England during Shakespeare's time? 

a play on multiple meanings of a word

What is syntax?

event or detail that is inappropriate for the time period

What language did Shakespeare use to write his plays? 

a speech by one character in a play

writer or speaker says one thing, but really means something completely different

Why did Shakespeare write his plays? 

a play, novel, or narrative in which the main character comes to an unhappy end

an example of this term is Jumbo Shrimp

Shakespeare's company of actors consisted of how many men? 

character who is used as a contrast to another character 

a group who says things at the same time

a stage with three sides