William Shakespeare’s Macbeth

About Shakespeare Though William Shakespeare is known throughout the world as one of the most famous playwrights in history, very little is know about his life story. What we do know comes from a collection of documents: Baptism records, court records, wills and marriage certificates. There are also a few anecdotes and criticisms from his rivals.

About Shakespeare William Shakespeare: Believed to have been born April 23,1564 Died April 23, 1616 John Shakespeare – Willy’s Father A glove maker, tradesman, & bailiff (a mayor in today’s time) Mary Arden – Willy’s Mother Came from a prosperous farming family

Family Man 1 st paper trail evidence of William’s movements is a marriage certificate At 18 year old William married a 26 year old, pregnant Anne Hathaway (no, not THAT Anne Hathaway). Exhibit A: Baby Momma

Family Man Barely 7 months later, in May 1583 they had his first daughter: Susanna. William would have 2 other children, Judith and Hamnet (twins) in Hamnet, William’s only son, died in 1596 at the age of 11.

Family Man? After the birth of his children, there are twenty years of empty space in the record of William’s life. No one knows for sure what he was doing during these years. William is believed to have left his family to go into London to pursue his craft. He only returned to his family in 1609.

The Playwright By 1594, Shakespeare had joined Lord Chamberlain’s Men Later renamed “The King’s Men” after James I came to power Shakespeare owned a share of Lord Chamberlain’s Men. He was very successful; therefore, he should have made a good living for his day.

More about Shakespeare During his time, Shakespeare produced and wrote thirty-seven (37) plays.

G.O.A.T. Records reveal that William revised his will on March 25 th 1616; one month before his death on April 23 rd His will is infamous because in it, he left almost all of his possessions to his daughter and actors from his plays, and only his second best bed to his wife Anne. Shakespeare was buried at the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. His direct line of descendants ended 54 years after his death, when his daughter Susanna died in 1670.

Famous Last Words: William’s last words were inscribed on his tombstone as a warning of the curse placed on anyone who moved his bones.  Good friend, for Jesus´ sake forbeare To dig the dust enclosed here! Blest be ye man that spares these stones And curst be he that moves my bones. Luckily, the bones have remained safely at the church where he was buried since 1616.

William Shakespeare - Man of Mystery We have only fourteen words in his own hands. His name signed six times The words “by me” on his will

William Shakespeare - Man of Mystery No written description of him penned in his own lifetime! First textual portrait “he was a handsome, well- shap’t man: very good company, and of a very readie and pleasant smooth witt” This was written 64 years after his death by a man who was born 10 years after that Shakespeare’s.

William Shakespeare - Man of Mystery The best spelling of his name is not certain He spelled his name differently in all six signatures that survived. Willm Shaksp William Shakespe Wm Shakspe William Shakespere Willm Shakspere William Shakspeare None of this are the spelling we use today!

William Shakespeare - Man of Mystery Only three images of Shakespeare exists 1. The Chandos portrait Artist unknown Subject unknown Origin unknown Not positive this is Shakespeare

William Shakespeare - Man of Mystery Copperplate Engraving Painted 7 years AFTER Shakespeare’s death - Very poorly painted - One eye bigger - Mouth is mispositioned - Hair is longer on one side - Head is out of proportion - Head seems to float off the shoulders like a balloon

William Shakespeare - Man of Mystery Statue Painted and life-sized Carved 7 years after Shakespeare’s death - Was repainted, then Mistakenly white-washed then repainted again with no idea of original colors - Original colors would have given the statue detail not carved

Who Else? Francis Bacon Educated Time is right Knowledge of royalty Edward de Vere Earl of Oxford Worldly and well traveled Friendly with Queen Elizabeth Was a writer

Christopher Marlow Famous writer Mysteriously murdered after owing lots of money Mary Sidney Countess of Pembroke First Folio dedicated to the earls of Pembroke and Montgomery – her sons Other writers in her family

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Why was the Globe built? The Lord Chamberlain’s Men (Shakespeare’s acting troupe) needed a place to perform their plays so they could compete with other acting troupes.

History of the Globe Theatre Built in 1598 and opened in 1599 Burned down in1613 from a cannon blast during the play “Henry VIII” Rebuilt and reopened in 1614 Closed down by Puritans in 1642 and was torn down in 1644 In 1996 a replica was built on the original site

Facts about the Globe Theatre Original Globe was 3 stories and held about 3000 people. Although most of Shakespeare’s plays were held there, he only owned 12% of the theatre. Located in Southwark near the Thames River (just outside of London).

More Globe Facts All classes of people attended plays there. No roof so that they had sunlight. Thus, plays had to be during the day. People often skipped work to go. Was not allowed to be built in the city of London because crowds often became rowdy.

Problems at the Theatre Fights Spread of disease (the plague) Drug dealing Prostitution Theft

Entrance View Everybody entered at the same place regardless of where you paid to sit or stand. The stage juts out onto the floor, so some people would view from the side.

Floor View Poor people could get into plays for little money, but had to stand. They were known as Groundlings. It would be very difficult to see unless you were right next to the stage. Plays often lasted 4-6 hours and the Groundlings would stand the whole time.

Second Floor View The middle to upper class people could afford to sit on the second level. The second level wrapped around both sides of the stage.

Third Floor View Only the upper class could afford seats on the third level. For extra money they could get a padded seat.

Stage View The actors had to deal with many distractions: Weather (no roof) Rowdy Audience Fruits and Veggies thrown at them if the play or the acting was bad.

Field Trip