William Shakespeare aka The Bard Poet Actor and

William Shakespeare aka The Bard Poet, Actor, and Playwright

Elizabethan Period l He lived in the days of Queen Elizabeth who ruled England from 1558 -1603. l This was a time period in which England had great political power, national pride, and cultural achievements. England dominated world trade and colonization.

Elizabethan Fashion

Queen Elizabeth She was a liberal minded monarch who enjoyed theater and wrote plays for special performances. Shakespeare gave thirty-two performances at her court during her reign. l She encouraged England's poets, musicians, and playwrights because she wanted England to become a cultural capital of the world- a country which others would look upon to. l

The Renaissance During this time London was a busy, bustling, walled city. It was having a Renaissance or re-birth of arts and sciences under Queen Elizabeth and later King James I.

Life of Shakespeare l l l He was born around April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon Avon, England to John and Mary Shakespeare. His mother was from a rich family. His father was a glovemaker and one time mayor of Stratford. He had seven brothers and sisters. (He was the third of eight children. ) He was an English poet and playwright, who is often regarded as the greatest writer of the English language. He worked as an actor, but by 1594, at least six of his plays had been published.

His Birth l We don’t know his exact birth date because most children were born at home during this time; therefore, no records indicate an exact date. l He was baptized on April 23, 1564. Babies were usually baptized within three days of their birth, and the church would keep detailed records of such events.

His Schooling He attended the free grammar school until fifteen, mainly studying Latin and literature. He was influenced by Latin classics and the English countryside. His poems and plays are full of references to hunting, farming, nature, and country folklore.

His Marriage & Family He married Anne Hathaway on April 27, 1582. He was eighteen and she was twenty-seven. She was pregnant at the time of their wedding. She was the daughter of a rich farmer. They had three children together Susanna(1583), and twins, Hamnet and Judith in 1585. He was also a deadbeat dad. He spent twenty years apart from his wife and children. l He moved to London to work, and left them behind in Stratfordupon-Avon. He was only a four day ride away from them, but only visited about ten times in twenty years.

His work as an Actor He left Stratford in 1586 to become a stagemanager at “The Theatre” in London. He then became an actor in the same theatre. By 1592, he was recognized as a successful actor on the London stage---as well as a leading poet. He was a member of a group called Chamberlain’s Men.

The Lost Years 1587 -1592 are called “The Lost Years” because there are no written records on him at this time. No one knows what Shakespeare did from the time he left Stratford until he became known in London seven years later. He was probably writing these seven years.

His Works His earliest works were produced in 1592 including Romeo and Juliet. This play has become the most famous love story ever told.

More on his work as an Actor In 1599 he joined with other actors to build the Globe Theatre; he was also part owner of a company of actors called “Lord Chamberlain’s Men. ” They were later called "The King's Men” because the King of England loved his performances. (King James reigned form 1603 -1625—he loved theater as well and saw many plays performed by Shakespeare. )

The Globe Theater Many of Shakespeare’s plays were produced in the Globe, which brought him financial security and fine actors to showcase his work.

His Works He wrote thirty-seven plays including tragedies (Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth), romantic comedies (Much Ado about Nothing), histories (Henry VIII), and at least 154 sonnets.

His Death Around 1612 Shakespeare sold off properties in London and moved back to Stratford where he was a respected church member. He bought a large house called New Place. • He died on April 23, 1616 on his 52 nd birthday. • The cause of his death is unknown. Some scholars have suggested that the signatures on his will indicate that he was already sick at the date of signing, March, 25, 1616. •

His Burial l Shakespeare was buried on April 25, 1616 in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford, where he had been baptized just over fifty-two years earlier. His tomb, which lies beneath the floor of the church inside the chancel rail, is covered by a stone inscribed with the following curse: Good friend for Jesus sake forbear To dig the dust enclosed here! Blest be the man that spares these stones, And curst be he that moves my bones.

Shakespeare's tomb in the church at Stratford-upon-Avon