William Shakespeare April 23, 1564 – April 23, 1616

Childhood Born on April 23, 1564 (in Stratford-upon- Avon, England) One of eight children (William was the 3rd child and 1st son) Baptized on April 26 in Holy Trinity Church

Teenage Years At the age of 18 William married Anne Hathaway (she was 25 or 26) Had a baby girl named Susanna in 1583 Had twins a boy and a girl named Hamnet and Judith in 1585

“Lost Years” 1585 until 1592, no documentation of Shakespeare’s life at all Some say he got in trouble with the law and ran away Others say he and Anne were not getting along, so he moved away It is certain that in 1588 William Shakespeare changed his address to London

The Start of Shakespeare’s Career Hung around theatres waiting to be noticed Got a job watching theatergoers horses (equivalent of valet parking) Landed big parts, but was more interested in play writing than performing Became a member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men

Lord Chamberlain’s Men Lord Chamberlain's Men had the best actor in England (Richard Burbage), the best playwright (William Shakespeare), and performed in the best theatre (The Globe)

Achievements Accomplishments: 37 plays 14 comedies -- As You Like It, Midsummer’s Night Dream, etc. 12 tragedies -- Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, etc. 11 histories -- Julius Caesar, etc.

The End On April 23, 1616 William Shakespeare died (he was born on April 23!) Buried at Holy Trinity Church, where he was baptized

The Globe Theatre The Lord Chamberlain's Men built the theatre around 1599 They had no other place to perform It was circular in shape Shakespeare was a partial owner of the The Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre The center was open to the sky The “Groundlings” paid the lowest price and stood the whole time In the tiers of the theatre were boxes that sat well-to-do theatergoers The theatre accommodated 3,000 people They raised a flag to signal the type of play

The Globe Theatre A canopy over the stage protected the actors and expensive costumes On June 29, 1613, during a performance, The Globe burnt to the ground No one was injured In 1642 they rebuilt the theatre, only to have it torn down two years later

The Globe Theatre The English Puritans shut down all theatres because they thought evil lurked in them Not until 1997 was the Globe rebuilt (200 yards from the site of the original) Today plays go on daily in the summertime for the public