SHAKESPEARE PLAYS:
DATES
Only half of Shakespeare were printed during his life time,the works have been dated
combining three kinds of evidence
·external: a clear mention of reference to a particular play
·Internal: when the play itself includes a reference to an identificable event
·Stylistic: the chnages in Shakespeare style so noticeable that a play can reasonably be
placed in a precise period of its evolution
STRUCTURE
All Shakespearean plays are made up of five acts:
ACT1:introduction
ACT2:development
ACT3:crisis/turning point
ACT4:complications
ACT5:resolution
STAGE DIRECTIONS
Most of the stage directions were added by editors in the 18th century. Originally it was the
text itself that provided the information abut the athmosphere of a scene
PROGRESSION
The progression of the play is usually linked to the gradual clarification of things, themes are
suggested,butthe real meaning becomes apparent much later.There is also frequent contrast
between zcenes with many or afew characters.Shakespeare leaves quaestion unanswered
so that we can continue to think about the puzzle after the play is over
STYLE
Shakespeare used a mix of verse and prose in his plays to show the social status of his
characters.Characters form the lower calsses spoke in prose,while noble characters used
iambic pentameter
