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English Year 10 - Macbeth : Comparative Study of Drama: Shakespeare Techniques + Stage Conventions

A selection of resources to support Year 10 English Comparative Drama Study: Macbeth

 

 

Shakespeare Theatre Conventions

Elizabethan theatre refers to both a specific period in theatre history, as well as a theatre style.

Below are articles and websites that discuss some of the conventions Shakespeare (and others) used during this era. These conventions include:

  • the use of comedic relief and puns in tragedies 
  • disguises and mistaken identity
  • symbolism
  • sacred oaths and vows
  • all-male players

An actor's use of body language in relation to Shakespeare's plays is also discussed.

 

 

Shakespeare Tragedies and an Acting Lesson

Elements found in Shakespeare's Tragedies

A discussion regarding some of the most important elements of a Shakespearean tragedy.

Shakespeare Language Conventions

Shakespeare's use of slang, sexual innuedno, biblical references, specialist language and carefully chosen character names are discussed in the following articles authored by the Royal Shakespeare Company:

References

References

Allimacb. (2022, July 20). Main characteristics of Shakespearean plays: Comedy, tragedy, history. Owlcation. https://owlcation.com/humanities/Shakespeares-Plays-Comedy-Tragedy-History
Cash, J. (2021, November 1). 10 exciting Elizabethan theatre techniques. The Drama Teacher. https://thedramateacher.com/elizabethan-theatre-conventions/
de Witt, J. (1596). A performance in progress at the "Swan" theatre in 1596 [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Swan_sketch_1596.png
Folger Shakespeare Library Digital Image Collection. (1888). Photograph of Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth, based on an 1888 production [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ellen_Terry_plays_Lady_Macbeth.jpg
The Gaiety School of Acting - The National Theatre School of Ireland. (2018, November 10). 9 elements of a Shakespearean tragedy [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/TqwEThbjhGE
Johnson, P. J. (2009, April 14). Learning the Bard via body language. University of Southern California. https://news.usc.edu/32576/Learning-the-Bard-Via-Body-Language/
Lukacs, P. (2020). Some conventions of Elizabethan Drama. ElizabethanDrama.org. http://elizabethandrama.org/primers/conventions-of-elizabethan-drama/
Narey, W. (2010, August 16). Renaissance English drama: Elizabethan staging conventions. Luminarium: Anthology of English Literature.http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/dramastaging.htm
Royal Shakespeare Company. (2022). Biblical and classical references. https://www.rsc.org.uk/shakespeare/language/biblical-and-classical-references
Royal Shakespeare Company. (2022). Character names. https://www.rsc.org.uk/shakespeare/language/character-names
Royal Shakespeare Company. (2022). Shakespeare's language. https://www.rsc.org.uk/shakespeare/language
Royal Shakespeare Company. (2022). Slang and sexual language. https://www.rsc.org.uk/shakespeare/language/slang-and-sexual-language
Royal Shakespeare Company. (2022). Specialist language: Medical, legal, military. https://www.rsc.org.uk/shakespeare/language/specialist-language-medical-legal-military
W.J. Morgan & Co. Lith. (1884). Poster of Thos. W. Keene in William Shakespeare's MacBeth, c. 1884 [Image]. Wikimedia Commons. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thomas_Keene_in_Macbeth_1884_Wikipedia_crop.png