William Shakespeare

Born around April 23, 1564 Born around April 23, 1564 Third of eight children Third of eight children Father was shopkeeper and important man Father was shopkeeper and important man

Born in Statford, about 100 miles northwest of London Born in Statford, about 100 miles northwest of London Attended grammar school Attended grammar school Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 Moved to London a few years later, leaving wife and 3 children in Stratford Moved to London a few years later, leaving wife and 3 children in Stratford

By 1592, was an actor and playwright By 1592, was an actor and playwright Member of Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later known as the King’s Men Member of Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later known as the King’s Men Supported by King James himself Supported by King James himself Little known about him – never gave an interview, never wrote an autobiography Little known about him – never gave an interview, never wrote an autobiography

Worked with the King’s Men for most of his writing life Worked with the King’s Men for most of his writing life Wrote plays on demand, year after year Wrote plays on demand, year after year Ultimate professional writer Ultimate professional writer Two plays lost, but over 37 have survived Two plays lost, but over 37 have survived Wrote sonnets Wrote sonnets Shakespeare’s plays categorized as tragedies, comedies, and histories Shakespeare’s plays categorized as tragedies, comedies, and histories

Shakespeare died April 23, 1616, at age 52 Shakespeare died April 23, 1616, at age 52 Buried in Holy Trinity Church at Stratford-on-the-Avon

In Shakespeare’s time… Theater people were viewed like we view professional wrestling today… Theater people were viewed like we view professional wrestling today… Entertaining, but not artists Ministers warned of dangers of plays and said they were sinful Ministers warned of dangers of plays and said they were sinful “The cause of sin is plays!” Women were not actors, only men Women were not actors, only men But Queen Elizabeth liked plays and protected Shakespeare and his theater company But Queen Elizabeth liked plays and protected Shakespeare and his theater company

So why is Shakespeare still popular? Plays have been performed for over 400 years Plays have been performed for over 400 years In hundreds of languages all over the world In hundreds of languages all over the world Words sometimes hard to understand Words sometimes hard to understand But the universal themes about human natures that Shakespeare wrote about are real But the universal themes about human natures that Shakespeare wrote about are real Still relevant and important today, 400 years later Still relevant and important today, 400 years later

Shakespeare’s Language Language changes constantly Language changes constantly English of 400 years ago is different than today English of 400 years ago is different than today Old words like thou and thee for today’s words of you Old words like thou and thee for today’s words of you

The Globe Theater

Before the Globe Theater Performed in town squares or space the theater company could rent Performed in town squares or space the theater company could rent By law, theater companies had to have respectable rich patron By law, theater companies had to have respectable rich patron Not respectable past-time Not respectable past-time Outside of London Outside of London In 1576, the first permanent theater in England built In 1576, the first permanent theater in England built Called “The Theater” Called “The Theater” Others built outside town limits with prisons and brothels Others built outside town limits with prisons and brothels

The Wooden “O” In 1599, “The Theater” torn down In 1599, “The Theater” torn down Shakespeare and the King’s Men used timbers to build the Globe Theater Shakespeare and the King’s Men used timbers to build the Globe Theater Shakespeare wrote most of his plays for this theater Shakespeare wrote most of his plays for this theater Round, 3 stories high Round, 3 stories high

The Globe today

The Inside Story Exit and Entrance Doors on platform stage Exit and Entrance Doors on platform stage Balcony also called “upper stage” Balcony also called “upper stage” Thrust stage Thrust stage Trapdoors for “ghosts” or “descents into Hell” Trapdoors for “ghosts” or “descents into Hell” Little to no scenery Little to no scenery See the cutaway drawing on pg. 730 in textbook See the cutaway drawing on pg. 730 in textbook

Entertainment in the ’s Bear-baiting Bear-baiting Penny for admission Penny for admission Another penny for admission to play Another penny for admission to play New play every 3 weeks New play every 3 weeks Plays performed in afternoon, open air Plays performed in afternoon, open air

The Roles of Men and Women During Shakespeare’s Time

Gender Differences YOUNG MEN YOUNG MEN YOUNG LADIES YOUNG LADIES

Gender Differences YOUNG MEN YOUNG MEN YOUNG LADIES YOUNG LADIES

Romeo & Juliet

Parts of the Play Act I Exposition Act II Rising action Act III Crisis, Turning Point Act IV Falling action Act V Climax and resolution

Parts of the Play Acts (I through V) Acts (I through V) Scenes Scenes Lines Lines

Universal themes to consider Violence Violence Feuds, Revenge, Gang Rivalry Feuds, Revenge, Gang Rivalry Love Love Teenage love Teenage love Love at first sight Love at first sight Luck vs. Fate Luck vs. Fate Parents, family Parents, family Suicide Suicide

The End