The Life and Times of William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Place of birth was Stratford-upon-Avon, a small village in Warickshire, England. Place of birth was Stratford-upon-Avon, a small village in Warickshire, England. His father was a tanner and glovemaker. He also served as both an alderman and mayor of Stratford. His father was a tanner and glovemaker. He also served as both an alderman and mayor of Stratford. Married Anne Hathaway when he was 18. (She was eight years his senior and pregnant at the time they married.) Married Anne Hathaway when he was 18. (She was eight years his senior and pregnant at the time they married.) He was one of the most well-read men in England, although he only went to grammar school. (He never spent one day at a college or university.) He was one of the most well-read men in England, although he only went to grammar school. (He never spent one day at a college or university.)

William Shakespeare Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and 150 sonnets during his lifetime. Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and 150 sonnets during his lifetime. In 1598, he became co-owner of the Globe theatre. This brought him considerable wealth. In 1598, he became co-owner of the Globe theatre. This brought him considerable wealth. Shakespeare’s acting troupe was known as Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Shakespeare’s acting troupe was known as Lord Chamberlain’s Men. He died on April 23rd, 1616 at the age of 52. He died on April 23rd, 1616 at the age of 52.

Elizabethan London

Queen Elizabeth I ruled England for most of Shakespeare’s career. Queen Elizabeth I ruled England for most of Shakespeare’s career. The population of London at that time was approximately 250,000. The population of London at that time was approximately 250,000. Besides theatre, other popular forms of entertainment included cockfighting, dog-fighting, and bear/bull-baiting. (Likewise, many of Shakespeare’s plays contain plenty of bloody violence.) Besides theatre, other popular forms of entertainment included cockfighting, dog-fighting, and bear/bull-baiting. (Likewise, many of Shakespeare’s plays contain plenty of bloody violence.) Plays were written to attract and entertain common people (most of whom were illiterate). Plays were written to attract and entertain common people (most of whom were illiterate). Women were not allowed to perform. Therefore, all parts were played by men. (Shakespeare’s troupe was comprised of 12 men and 4 boys.) Women were not allowed to perform. Therefore, all parts were played by men. (Shakespeare’s troupe was comprised of 12 men and 4 boys.)

Mermaid’s Inn Served food and wine to the people who gathered to exchange stories and ideas (commoners, soldiers, sailors, lawyers, people from the royal court). Served food and wine to the people who gathered to exchange stories and ideas (commoners, soldiers, sailors, lawyers, people from the royal court). Shakespeare and his friends often went there to gather information for his plays. Shakespeare and his friends often went there to gather information for his plays.

Saint Paul’s Cathedral Former site of a church which had burned down. Former site of a church which had burned down. Rebuilt as a marketplace (like a modern- day mall or swap-meet). Rebuilt as a marketplace (like a modern- day mall or swap-meet). Shakespeare purchased most of his books, props, and costumes here. Shakespeare purchased most of his books, props, and costumes here. It also provided a good source of ideas for creating characters. It also provided a good source of ideas for creating characters.

The Globe Theatre

Globe Theatre The theatre where Shakespeare and the Lord Chamberlain’s Men performed. The theatre where Shakespeare and the Lord Chamberlain’s Men performed. It was an eight-sided, open-air theatre built across from the London Bridge. It was an eight-sided, open-air theatre built across from the London Bridge. The theatre could hold approximately 2,300 people. The theatre could hold approximately 2,300 people. There were no seats on the ground (otherwise known as the “pit”). People who watched a play from here (the “groundlings”) stood for the entire performance. The cost for these “cheap seats” was one cent. There were no seats on the ground (otherwise known as the “pit”). People who watched a play from here (the “groundlings”) stood for the entire performance. The cost for these “cheap seats” was one cent. Wealthy theatre goers sat in the balconies. These seats cost six pence—the typical daily wage for a Londoner at the time. Wealthy theatre goers sat in the balconies. These seats cost six pence—the typical daily wage for a Londoner at the time.

Globe Theatre Hawkers sold oranges, hazel nuts, etc. (which were frequently thrown if the performance was not good!) Hawkers sold oranges, hazel nuts, etc. (which were frequently thrown if the performance was not good!) Performances could only be held in daylight and good weather, and plays usually ran for ten days. Performances could only be held in daylight and good weather, and plays usually ran for ten days. Flags went up on the roof to announce a performance day (black flag = tragedy; white flag = comedy; red flag = history). Flags went up on the roof to announce a performance day (black flag = tragedy; white flag = comedy; red flag = history). The original Globe theatre burned down in 1613 after a cannon was fired onstage during a performance of Henry VIII. The original Globe theatre burned down in 1613 after a cannon was fired onstage during a performance of Henry VIII.