The Life and Times of William Shakespeare Ms. De La O English 9

Early Life Born April 23, 1564—died 1616 Stratford-upon-Avon Parents: John and Mary Arden Shakespeare

Education Probably attended King’s New School in Stratford (Little known about his childhood)

Married Life Married in 1582 to Anne Hathaway Had twins in 1585 (Hamnet & Judith) Sometime between 1585-1592, he moved to London and began working in theatre.

Not this one…

Conditions in London-BAD! Thames River polluted with raw sewage Trees used up for fuel Poverty No running water Chamber Pots Crowded Bathing considered dangerous Childhood diseases

Activity #1 Insults

Theater Career Performed in courtyards of inns Limited set design Music, sound, costumes, props and great description All men/ Female parts played by young boys No actual kissing or hugging on stage Groundlings

Shakespeare’s Work 38 plays firmly attributed to Shakespeare comedies histories Tragedies Romances Numerous poems 154 Sonnets

Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare did NOT write in “Old English.” Old English is the language of Beowulf: Hwaet! We Gardena in geardagum Þeodcyninga Þrym gefrunon Hu ða æÞelingas ellen fremedon!

Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare did not write in “Middle English.” Middle English is the language of Chaucer: Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote The droghte of March hath perced to the roote And bathed every veyne in swich licour, Of which vertu engendred is the flour;

Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare wrote in “Early Modern English.” Modern with old holdovers and omissions prose and poetry Rural and urban words/images Understandable by the lowest peasant and the highest noble

A few examples of Shakespearean omissions/contractions follow: 'tis ~ it is ope ~ open o'er ~ over gi' ~ give ne'er ~ never i' ~ in e'er ~ ever oft ~ often e'en ~ even

Activity #2 Looking at Sonnets