William Shakespeare

Life of William Shakespeare Known as the world’s most performed & admired playwright Born approximately on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England

Life of William Shakespeare (cont’d) Father: John Shakespeare – Whittawer: maker, worker and seller of leather goods such as purses, belts & gloves – Also was a dealer of agricultural commodities such as wool, grain, malt and other farm produce – Active in Stratford-upon-Avon government until financial difficulties began – Illiterate – Died 1601 (60 years old)

Life of William Shakespeare (cont’d) Mother: Mary Arden – Married John Shakespeare in 1557 – Had eight children William was the 3 rd child and first son – Her role in the family was to bring up the Shakespeare family – Died September 9 th, 1608 of unknown causes (68 years old)

Life of William Shakespeare (cont’d) Education – Attended the “Free School” Elementary School Motivation = Parents’ Illiteracy Studied Latin, Latin Grammar, ancient writers, and mythology Learned to write and recite Latin

Life of William Shakespeare (cont’d) Education (cont’d) – At age 13 or 14, Shakespeare was withdrawn from school by his father so that he could help father run his business – Also received education from his mandatory attendance at church, where he was influenced by the Bible, The Book of Common Prayer, & Foxe’s Acts & Monuments

Life of William Shakespeare (cont’d) Married Anne Hathaway – November 28, 1582 – William was 18; Anne was 26 – Anne 3 months pregnant when they married – Marriage done in haste

Life of William Shakespeare (cont’d) Children – 1 st child: Susanna Born 6 months after William & Anne married May 26, 1583 – 2 years later: Twins born: Hamnet & Judith – Hamnet age 11 for unknown causes

Life of William Shakespeare (cont’d) The “Lost” Years – 1586 to 1592 – Shakespeare moved to London Believed that Shakespeare moved to London to avoid prosecution for poaching deer Leaves wife and children in Stratford – Became involved in the theatre Lord Chamberlain’s Men – Began writing poetry and plays – No record of Shakespeare’s activities until 1592 when Shakespeare is criticized by a rival playwright

Life of William Shakespeare (cont’d) Career – Gained fame about age 21 – Member and part owner of Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later became known as King’s Men) – Was an actor for about 20 years, which is where he earned most of his money – Wrote 37 plays Was paid approximately $40 to write a play – Wrote 154 sonnets

Shakespeare’s Works Shakespeare’s Early Works can be divided into 4 groups: 1. The Classical Plays 2. The History Plays 3. The Narrative Poems and Sonnets 4. Experiments in comedy

Shakespeare’s Works (cont’d) 4 Major Works – Romeo & Juliet – Julius Caesar – Hamlet – Macbeth

Shakespeare’s Death Died April 23, 1616 – 52 years old – Died of unknown causes

The Globe Theatre

Facts about the Globe Theatre Built in 1599 Where most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed Built of the wood London’s most magnificent theatre ever seen Located across the Thames River Shakespeare was co-owner of “The Globe Theatre” Motto: “All the world’s a stage” Also known as the “Wooden O”

Facts about the Globe Theatre (cont’d) June 1613 – Theatre burned to the ground Rebuilt in – Closed by the Puritans

Layout of “The Globe Theatre” Could hold approximately 3,000 spectators To advertise a play, a colored flag was flown indicating the type of play that would be performed Large, circular or octagonal design, 3 stories high At the base of the stage, was the “pit” for the groundlings to stand and watch the play – Cost to stand: one penny Around the base was 3 levels of seating – First 2 levels = Twopenny Rooms – Third Level = Penny Gallery

Layout of “The Globe Theatre”

Facts about Performances Minimum scenery, natural lightning, words in play gave time & day of play NO female actresses Minimum furniture props Pig bladders filled with blood were used in death/stabbing scenes No curtains

Actors Had to be able to fence, tumble, dance, sing, and play two roles in one play Had to have strong voices with good elocution (no microphones) Lord Chamberlain’s Men – Acting company of “The Globe Theatre” – Company consisted of adults, 6 boy apprentices & 2-3 stage hands

Costumes Authentic to the actor’s times Received by buying costumes cheaply from servants who inherited them Color of Costumes was symbolic

Women Theatre was not appropriate for women Only the extremely wealthy women were allowed in the theatre but had to be escorted by a Lord In the “Pit,” the Ladies of the Evening often solicited business from the groundlings before performance