Midterm 1: Trifles, Oedipus the King, Fences, Atsumori, Twelfth Night

First Folio Mr. William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies36 plays (of his 38), includes tragedies, comedies, and historiesWhere Twelfth Night is originally publishedCollected by John Heminges and Henry Condell post humous
Metatheatre Aspects of a play that draw attention to the fact that it is a play or drama, like asides/soliloquies/prologues, acknowledging the audience or that characters are pretending, plays within the play, references to acting, or behaviors like eavesdropping
Viola Shipwrecked in Illyria, disguises herself as “Cesario” with help from a Captian, falls for Duke of Orsino
Olivia Wealthy countess, mourning death of brother and father and vows to not see any men for 7 years, falls in love with “Cesario” and marries Sebastian
Duke of Orsino In love with Olivia, uses Cesario to court Olivia, ends up with Viola after the reveal
Malvolio Olivia’s steward, butt of all the jokes, generally self righteous prick, ends up locked in a dark room by Sir Toby and Maria
Sebastian Viola’s twin brother, believed to have drowned in shipwreck, ends up marrying Olivia in secret
Sir Andrew Aguecheek Silly squire in Olivia’s court, friend of Sir Toby, attempts to court Olivia
Sir Toby Belch Olivia’s drunkard uncle, uses her to support his life of drink and song
Maria Olivia’s lady in waiting, takes part in antics of Sir Toby, ends up marrying him
Antonio Sea captain and friend of Sebastian, wanted man in Illyria, pardoned after being arrested
Feste The joker, takes part in tricks and partying
Fabian Olivia’s servant
Valentine and Curio Servants of Orsino
Shakespeare Playwright/actor with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men and later the King’s MenLand/homeowner, father, husbandNot universally well liked
Henslowe’s Diary Created by theater owner Phillip Henslowe (1550-1616)Found and lost again in 1790, found in 1900Tells us of theater business (repertories, transactions, properties)Relatively few props but expensive costumes, no female actors, company of sharers needed to work quickly through new material
Swan Theater Drawing Only verified surviving representation of early modern theater design, created by dutch born Johannes de Witt (1596)Shows open air amphitheater, raised stage, upstage doors and balcony, natural lighting
Thrust Stage Actors surrounded on three sides, made the “Fourth Wall” irrelevant
Twentieth-Century Realism “Real life”, no asides, chorus, or other theatrical effectsAllows for human experience and psychological motivation to show in characters
August Wilson Wrote Fences, from Pittsburgh, started “Century Cycle”Focused on the black experience in the 20th century, like the Great Migration from the south and segregation of sports teams
Tragedy and the Common Man Arthur Miller, hard to relate for the common man to the downfall of kings, optimism in tragedy
Troy Ambitious man fighting unjust world, seeks dignity for himself and family, hope for future and family, sees family as duty
Rose Committed to supporting her son, step-son, and husbandName equal to rose needing nurturing which she doesn’t get from TroyHas crisis in marriage which leads to recognition/reversal, balances ethics/self-worth
Gabriel Troy’s brother, head injury in the war that leads to pension (Troy uses to buy house), believes he’s seen St. Peters book and that he guards the gates to heaven
Lyons Troy’s son from previous marriage, wants to be a musician in name only, bothers Troy for money
Cory Troy and Rose’s son, wants to accept football scholarship, joins Marines insteadTroy is likely jealous of him, craves Troy’s approval
Raynell Troy’s daughter by Alberta
Repetition and Revision African story tradition, used in Jazz, improvision in moment (focuses audience’s attention and shows virtuosity of creator)
Recurring Themes Death visits Troy as a klansman and he fights for 3 nights, the devil (as a white man in good clothes) visits Troy and makes bargain for 3 rooms of furniture (pays his dues every month for 15 years)
July 1, 2019