William Shakespeare Playwright, dramatist, poet, actor

About Shakespeare Born April 23, 1564 Died April 23, 1616 *52 years to the date Hometown: Stratford

History Obscure background because not many biographies were written about playwrights This lack of information leads some to think Shakespeare is a pen name for other famous authors

Family Married Anne Hathaway 3 children: Susanna, and twins, Hamnet and Judith (named for two friends) Susanna married and had one daughter, Elizabeth. Hamnet died from the Bubonic Plague when he was 11. Judith had a very difficult life with her marriages.

History Well educated Joined the Lord Chamberlain’s Company in 1595 (later called the King’s Men)

History Performed the duties of actor, writer, and shareholder for the King’s Men King’s Men owned the Theatre (first for staging plays)

The Theatre Combined features of the Greek amphitheatre, medieval pageant wagon, and Elizabethan inn This design gave English drama intimacy and flexibility

More about the Theatre It was illegal for women to act on stage. Playwrights would watch other plays and steal plot ideas while attending the theatre. The theatre was the most expensive form of entertainment at the time.

The Globe From the remains of the Theatre, Shakespeare’s company constructed the Globe theatre His greatest plays were performed at the Globe The Globe burned 2 times.

Two Parts of His Career First Half = mostly history plays; average of two a year Romeo and Juliet; Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar

Two Parts of His Career Second Half = tragedies, romantic comedies, romances Hamlet, As You Like It, The Tempest Macbeth first performed in 1607 He wrote about 37 plays

Best Known for Tragedies, Comedies, and Sonnets

His Poetry In 1593 and 1594 the theatres were closed because of the bubonic plague During this time, Shakespeare wrote many of his poems

Some Thoughts Carefully preserved his poems, but not necessarily his plays Plays not intended to be closely studied, but just for entertainment

Some Thoughts Not just an entertainer Shakespeare taught many biblical principles in his plays and poems May have even been a Christian