William Shakespeare’s Life: A Genius From Stratford

Background Information  Shakespeare left no journals, instead he left us poetry and plays.  Three legal documents that give information about Shakespeare are:  Baptismal registration  Marriage license  Records of real-estate transactions

Background Information  Biographical information  Date of birth: April 23, 1564  City born in: Stratford  Schooling:  Grammar school but no formal education

Marriage  Married at 18 to Anne Hathaway, age 26  Together had 3 children  Left family to move to London

Career  By 1592, Shakespeare had become an actor and playwright.  By 1594, He was a member of a company called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.  Romeo and Juliet was probably written between

Later in Life  1612 he returned to Stratford.  At retirement, 37 plays had been written.  He died April 23, 1616  Buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford

Shakespeare’s Theater  James Burbage built the first permanent theater in England in 1576  It was torn down in 1599 and used to make The Globe

Shakespeare’s Theater  “wooden O”  Large, round building  3 stories high  Open to sky  Thrust Stage  Groundings paid a penny and stood on the floor, shoulder to shoulder

Shakespeare’s Theater  Plays were performed in the afternoon  Very little scenery used  Elaborate costumes used  Boys played women’s parts