Shakespeare: His Life and Times Adapted from http://www.public.asu.edu/~muckerrm/English_321_S2005/Introduction.ppt

Early Life William Shakespeare Born April 26,1564—died 1616 Stratford-upon-Avon Parents: John and Mary Arden Shakespeare Mary—daughter of wealthy landowner John—glovemaker, local politician

Location of Stratford-upon-Avon From: http://www.where-can-i-find.com/tourist-maps.html

Stratford-on-Avon in Shakespeare’s Time As reproduced in William Rolfe, Shakespeare the Boy (1896).

Stratford-upon-Avon Today From Stratford’s web site: http://www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk/index.htm

Shakespeare’s Birthplace From: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/danielle.esposito/

Education Probably attended King’s New School in Stratford Educated in: Rhetoric Logic History Latin

King’s New School From: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/danielle.esposito/

Married Life Married in 1582 to Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time with their first daughter Had twins in 1585 Sometime between 1585-1592, he moved to London and began working in theatre.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage From: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/danielle.esposito/

Theatre Career Member and later part-owner of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later called the King’s Men Performers would travel around to different cities putting on plays. Globe Theater built in 1599 by L.C.M. with Shakespeare as primary investor Burned down in 1613 during one of Shakespeare’s plays

The Rebuilt Globe Theater, London

The Globe Theater By 1592 many of his works were on the London stage  Globe Theatre on the banks of the River Thames Open air amphitheatre 3,000 spectators Could see the plays for a penny All male actors No scenery

The Plays/ Poetry 154 Sonnets Numerous other poems 38 plays firmly attributed to Shakespeare 14 comedies 10 histories 10 tragedies 4 romances Possibly wrote three others 154 Sonnets Numerous other poems

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! (Hey! We have heard of the glory of the Spear-Danes in the old days, the kings of tribes, how noble princes showed great courage!)

Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare did not write in “Middle English.” Middle English is the language of Chaucer, the Gawain-poet, and Malory: We redeth oft and findeth y-write— And this clerkes wele it wite— Layes that ben in harping Ben y-founde of ferli thing… (Sir Orfeo)

Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare wrote in “Early Modern English.” EME was not very different from “Modern English,”

Shakespeare’s Language A mix of old and very new Rural and urban words/images Understandable by the lowest peasant and the highest noble

Elizabethan Theatrical Conventions

A theatrical convention is a Theatrical Conventions of Shakespeare's Theatre A theatrical convention is a suspension of reality. No electricity Women forbidden to act on stage Minimal, contemporary costumes Minimal scenery These control the dialogue.

Theatrical Conventions of Shakespeare's Theatre Soliloquy Aside Types of speech Audience loves to be scared. Blood Use of supernatural

Theatrical Conventions of Shakespeare's Theatre Use of disguises/ mistaken identity Last speaker—highest in rank (in tragedies) Multiple murders (in tragedies) Multiple marriages (in comedies)

Why Read Shakespeare? Shakespeare is regarded as the greatest writer of English Literature. Even 350 years after his death, his plays continue to be read and preformed. The themes and characters in his plays are still relevant today and are the basis for many modern stories.

Let’s dramatize Shakespeare!!! “All the world 's a stage, And all the men and women merely players.” So….. Let’s dramatize Shakespeare!!!