Shakespeare English 9
William Shakespeare (1563-1616)
All About Shakespeare William Shakespeare, who is often referred to as the Bard, which means poet, was born on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon, England. Shakespeare s birthplace:
Shakespeare s family of origin Parents were John and Mary Arden Shakespeare 7 brothers and sisters
Shakespeare s Youth William Shakespeare s father owned a glovemaking shop and was at one time, mayor of Stratford-on-Avon. Because of his father s social standing, William was able to attend Stratford Grammar School from age 7 until the age of 14.
Stratford Grammar School At grammar school, William Shakespeare would have learned: Latin and Greek The classic 5-act play format
Shakespeare s family Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway when he was only 18 years old. She was 26 years old, which would have been unusual.
Shakespeare s family, continued Had 3 children: daughter Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith
Lost Years After the birth of his children, there are no historical records until he shows up in London several years later. These are known as the Lost Years. Historians assume he was perfecting his playwriting skills and gathering plot ideas during this time.
Shakespeare in London Went to London to be an actor and playwright in 1592 at age 28 He was also part-owner of the Globe Theatre
Shakespeare Prospers 1598-99 the Globe Theatre is built Shakespeare owns 10% of it Father is granted a coat-of-arms, made a gentleman (Not without right)
Globe Theatre Elizabethan theatre did not use elaborate stage sets. Instead, playwrights relied on dialogue to give the audience a sense of the setting.
Globe Theatre, continued The Globe Theatre, like most theatres of its day, had a flag on the top of it, which indicated to people that there would be a play that day. Plays were performed during the afternoon because they needed to take advantage of the sunlight.
Globe Theatre, continued Round, wooden, roofless building Three galleries of seats Groundlings on the ground floor, 1 penny entrance fee
Globe Theatre, continued Construction of new Globe Theatre in 1994 You need a good story in the Globe. If you re not wondering what s going to happen next, you become aware that you re standing, or sitting on a bench. Mark Rylance in the Sunday Mail 25 July 1999.
Recognized as a genius in his own time Queen Elizabeth dies in 1603 and King James takes the throne. Shakespeare s theatre company becomes The King s Men
Theatres Closed Due to Plague During the years of the plague, Shakespeare wrote poetry when the theatres were intermittently closed. The Elizabethans considered poetry more important than plays.
Shakespeare was prolific! Wrote 37 plays Shakespeare wrote plays in 3 genres: comedies, tragedies, and histories Do you know the original title of Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet?
An Excellent conceited Tragedie of Romeo and Juliet This was printed within Shakespeare s lifetime. ------>
Shakespeare in an age of transition Moving from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance The age was brutal but clothing was elaborate and ornate; manners were important Language was growing fast; middle class growing
Plays in 16th-century England Playwrights were practical men, bent on making a living Plays were meant to be acted, not read After a playwright sold a manuscript, he had no personal right to it
Death and Burial at Stratford-on-Avon 1610 Shakespeare retires from the theatre 1613 the Globe burns down (Shakespeare loses much money but remains wealthy and helps rebuild it) Dies April 23, 1616 at age 52. (Buried in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-on-Avon)
Shakespeare He is considered the greatest dramatist in the world. Why?
Shakespeare He had a clear understanding of human nature. He created dramatic situations that relate to all human beings. (Universality).