The Life and Times of William Shakespeare Let

The Life and Times of William Shakespeare

Let me introduce…Will

The Bard • William Shakespeare is generally thought to be one of the best playwrights of all times. • His works explore universal problems and emotions. • In addition, his characters show an astonishing understanding of human nature.

A Mysterious Man • Shakespeare’s plays, even four hundred years later, are familiar to lovers of literature worldwide. But many of the most basic facts of his life are unknown. • He remains a mysterious figure with regards to personal history. There are just two primary sources of information on the Bard: his works, and various legal and church documents that have survived from Elizabethan times.

Biography • Born~ April 23, 1564 (based on baptism) in Stratford. Upon-Avon (small town in England) • Baptized at the Holy Trinity Church on April 26, 1564. • Third of eight children

Schooling Shakespeare attended the free grammar school in Stratford. He never proceeded to university schooling.

Family Tree • Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582 • William was 18 when he got married; Anne was eight years older than him. • 1 st daughter: Susanna-born May 25, 1583 • They had a set of twins: Hamnet and Judith- born February 2, 1585. • Hamnet died in early childhood at the age of 11, on August 11, 1596.

The Lost Years • Disappears for seven years from all records • Rumors: – – Soldier Sailor Traveled Italy School Master • Estimated arrival in London-around 1588 (began to establish himself as an actor and playwright)

Shakespeare wrote: Comedies Histories Tragedies • He wrote 37 plays • 154 sonnets

Death • He wrote his will in 1611 • He died on April 23, 1616 Even in death, he leaves a final piece of verse as his epitaph: Good friend for Jesus’ sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here! Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he who moves these bones.

Elizabethan Era • Good and evil; nothing in between: If something bad happened, it was a sign that God was punishing them. • The church and its leaders were representatives of God on Earth. • The king was king because God intended him to be and everyone else existed at lower social levels. • London grew 400% in population during this time, because of this, sanitation was lacking and outbreaks of the bubonic plague struck the lower class.

The Globe Theater

Entertainment A visit to theater in Shakespeare’s day was an exciting, lively, life-enhancing experience for a receptive individual.

Grand Opening • Shakespeare produced most of his plays in the The Globe and became part owner. • Patrons of theatre used the flag on top of the Globe to determine the type of play being performed that day. • Red-History • Black- Tragedy • White- Comedy • The Globe burned down in 1613 during a production of Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, but was then rebuilt in 1614.

The Theater • The theater building was open air. • Performances started at 2: 00 to make the most of daylight. • Held approximately 2, 500 people.

Audience Cost: The groundlings or pennystinkers paid one penny. As you paid additional money, you could ascend to higher galleries. Seating: First come, first served basis. There were no reserved seats. Comfort: Your padded clothes would have provided some comfort, but as there was no limit on the number of people, it probably got rather cramped.

Limited • The actors were limited in many aspects. There was no elaborate lighting and scenery like you see today. • The stage was usually bare. • Actors would usually tell you where they were and what time of day it was in their lines. • This is also why plays were performed mid afternoon.

No Women Allowed • Women were not allowed to perform on stage, so young boys would perform all female parts, including Juliet and the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet. • Boys were apprenticed to the acting companies between the ages of 6 and 14.

Structure • 3 floors of galleries and a central yard • Stage: “Apron Stage” It was raised 3 or 4 feet above the ground and was surrounded on three sides by the audience.

Rain Check? • Groundlings got wet when it rained, unless they could afford to pay twopence instead of the one penny they paid to stand in the yard. • Also, the front of the stage was open to the elements; if it rained the actors, like the groundlings, got wet.

The Globe Today

Life & Times of Shakespeare… • • Create a mind map with your table group. You must have: 10 factual statements 5 symbols or pictures You may also use words, phrases, symbols, color, pictures, quotes etc.