William Shakespeare’s Life and Times

Young Shakespeare Shakespeare (1564-1616) Born and raised in Stratford-on-Avon Father was once mayor of the town Mother was daughter of father’s landlord

William Shakespeare Attended primary school and Latin grammar school 1583: Married Anne Hathaway & had 3 children The Dark Years: lack of info about Shakespeare between 1585 and 1592

London in Shakespeare’s Time Shakespeare moved to London. Conditions in London were not pleasant: Homes of the poor were small and dirty Sewage ran in open ditches in the streets Overcrowding and unemployment were major problems.

London Bridge Heads of traitors were displayed on pikes on the city’s main bridge.

The Globe The most famous London Playhouse Flew a flag to announce a performance Acting companies used boys to play female roles. Shakespeare was a member of Lord Chamberlain’s Company (a traveling company of professional actors), later called The King’s Men.

Objections to Theaters Large assemblies of people Spread diseases Politics Fires Theaters were often located outside the city walls to avoid censorship by London’s Lord Mayor.

The New Globe

The wealthy’s view of the stage

“The Heavens” as seen by the groundlings

Romeo and Juliet Written between 1591-1595 highly moral tone (theme): disobedience, in addition to fate, is what brings about the deaths of the two lovers Feud--a prolonged conflict between families. The feud is so old that the cause has been forgotten.

The Balcony Scene “Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art thou Romeo?” Remember: Wherefore means “Why”

Star-Crossed Lovers Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy. In a tragedy, the main character(s) face negative episodes and tend to die.

The End

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