An English playwrightAn English playwright “The Bard”“The Bard” 34,000,000 Google hits34,000,000 Google hits

Born to John Shakespeare and Mary Ardon Shakespeare in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon and baptized on April 26, 1564 Born to John Shakespeare and Mary Ardon Shakespeare in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon and baptized on April 26, 1564 John was a glove maker who achieved respectability in the town and served as bailiff and chief alderman of the borough council. John was a glove maker who achieved respectability in the town and served as bailiff and chief alderman of the borough council. Believed to go the King’s New School in Stratford. Believed to go the King’s New School in Stratford. A grammar school such as this would have first focus on reading Latin aloud, then introduced grammar, and with more fluency, required students to read more complicated texts: Aesop's fables, the poetry of Vigil, Cicero’s letters, and the comedies of Terence. Lastly, students were required to translate from Latin to English and vise versa. A grammar school such as this would have first focus on reading Latin aloud, then introduced grammar, and with more fluency, required students to read more complicated texts: Aesop's fables, the poetry of Vigil, Cicero’s letters, and the comedies of Terence. Lastly, students were required to translate from Latin to English and vise versa.

At age 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. Their daughter, Susanna, was born six months later on May 26, Two years later, the twins Hamnet and Judith were born. Hamnet died at age 11. At age 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. Their daughter, Susanna, was born six months later on May 26, Two years later, the twins Hamnet and Judith were born. Hamnet died at age 11. “The Lost Years”: “The Lost Years”: In 1592, Robert Greene calls Shakespeare an “upstart crow.” In 1592, Robert Greene calls Shakespeare an “upstart crow.” In 1593, Shakespeare becomes a published poet with the long narrative poem Venus and Adonis. In 1593, Shakespeare becomes a published poet with the long narrative poem Venus and Adonis.

In December 1594, records show Shakespeare to be member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men or King’s Men. In December 1594, records show Shakespeare to be member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men or King’s Men. The Globe was built in 1599 where Shakespeare performed his plays until The Globe was built in 1599 where Shakespeare performed his plays until 1608.The Globe The Globe He returned to Stratford-upon-Avon between and died on April 23, He returned to Stratford-upon-Avon between and died on April 23, 1616.

The Protestant Reformation & The English Reformation paved the way for an age of exploration in literature, art, science, and philosophy. The Protestant Reformation & The English Reformation paved the way for an age of exploration in literature, art, science, and philosophy. Queen Elizabeth I ruled from November March Nonetheless, there was gender inequality. Queen Elizabeth I ruled from November March Nonetheless, there was gender inequality. The ideal Elizabethan man. The ideal Elizabethan man. Elizabethan belief in the “Natural Order” and the use of signs. Elizabethan belief in the “Natural Order” and the use of signs. The Divine Rule of Kings The Divine Rule of Kings

Shakespeare could not speak directly to the political affairs of the time, but the facts were... Shakespeare could not speak directly to the political affairs of the time, but the facts were... Queen Elizabeth was single, without children, and did not name an heir. Queen Elizabeth was single, without children, and did not name an heir. Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne was difficult. Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne was difficult. Edward, Lady Jane Gray, Mary, and Elizabeth Edward, Lady Jane Gray, Mary, and Elizabeth The Wars of the Roses: The Wars of the Roses: Lancaster and York (the red and the white roses) Lancaster and York (the red and the white roses) Elizabeth’s great-grandfather, Henry Tudor, took the throne. Elizabeth’s great-grandfather, Henry Tudor, took the throne.

England: England: English army suppressing rebellions in Ireland. English army suppressing rebellions in Ireland. England attempts to colonize the New Word by establishing the colony of Roanoke in 1585 and then again in England attempts to colonize the New Word by establishing the colony of Roanoke in 1585 and then again in The political uncertainty of the throne’s succession. The political uncertainty of the throne’s succession. The English could see similarities between their country’s situation and the political uncertainty that the first century BCE Romans faced. The English could see similarities between their country’s situation and the political uncertainty that the first century BCE Romans faced. Julius Caesar opened at the Globe in Julius Caesar opened at the Globe in 1599.

In the Roman republic, the office of chief executive was divided between two Consuls, but the government allowed for an individual to have absolute power for a brief period of time. In the Roman republic, the office of chief executive was divided between two Consuls, but the government allowed for an individual to have absolute power for a brief period of time. The senate ordered one Consul to dominate a Dictator for 6 months. The senate ordered one Consul to dominate a Dictator for 6 months. The dictator could punish offenders without trial, had immunity, and did not need governmental approval for his actions. However, the Senate must grant funds to the Dictator, and the Dictator cannot leave Rome. The dictator could punish offenders without trial, had immunity, and did not need governmental approval for his actions. However, the Senate must grant funds to the Dictator, and the Dictator cannot leave Rome. Julius Caesar served 10 one-year terms, and in 44 BCE, Caesar is named dictator perpetuus or perpetual dictator and assassinated. Julius Caesar served 10 one-year terms, and in 44 BCE, Caesar is named dictator perpetuus or perpetual dictator and assassinated.

60 BCE: Elected to Consul and works with Pompey, Crassus, becoming a part of “The First Triumvirate” 60 BCE: Elected to Consul and works with Pompey, Crassus, becoming a part of “The First Triumvirate” 58 BCE: Caesar leave Rome for Gaul (Germany and France) and expands Roman Empire. 58 BCE: Caesar leave Rome for Gaul (Germany and France) and expands Roman Empire. 49 BCE: Caesar’s term in Proconsul in Gaul expires. Pompey and Senate order Caesar to disband his troops and return to Rome to face prosecution. Caesar declares war on his former ally. 49 BCE: Caesar’s term in Proconsul in Gaul expires. Pompey and Senate order Caesar to disband his troops and return to Rome to face prosecution. Caesar declares war on his former ally. 48 BCE: Caesar defeats Pompey. The Egyptians kill Pompey. 48 BCE: Caesar defeats Pompey. The Egyptians kill Pompey.

46 BCE: Caesar returns to Rome and is appointed Dictator. This marks the beginning of Shakespeare’s play. 46 BCE: Caesar returns to Rome and is appointed Dictator. This marks the beginning of Shakespeare’s play. 45 BCE: Caesar holds a public celebration for his victory over Pompey, which angers many because Pompey is not a foreign enemy but a fellow Roman. Caesar appoints people to the government without consulting the Senate, mints coinage, and has his statues decorated much like gods. 45 BCE: Caesar holds a public celebration for his victory over Pompey, which angers many because Pompey is not a foreign enemy but a fellow Roman. Caesar appoints people to the government without consulting the Senate, mints coinage, and has his statues decorated much like gods. 44 BCE: Caesar is named dictator perpetuus or perpetual dictator at the feat of Lupercalia on February 15. Caesar is assassinated. 44 BCE: Caesar is named dictator perpetuus or perpetual dictator at the feat of Lupercalia on February 15. Caesar is assassinated.

Rome is in a state of political upheaval. Caesar has defeated Pompey. Officials wonder if Caesar will preserve the Republic or dissolve it into a monarchy. Rome is in a state of political upheaval. Caesar has defeated Pompey. Officials wonder if Caesar will preserve the Republic or dissolve it into a monarchy. The Soothsayer warns Caesar to “beware the Ides of March.” The Soothsayer warns Caesar to “beware the Ides of March.” Cassius pulls Brutus aside to persuade him to join the conspiracy against Caesar. Cassius’s motives are questionable. Brutus loves Caesar but fears for the common good. What if Caesar becomes too powerful? Cassius pulls Brutus aside to persuade him to join the conspiracy against Caesar. Cassius’s motives are questionable. Brutus loves Caesar but fears for the common good. What if Caesar becomes too powerful? Cassius plants forged letters in Brutus’s office, persuading him to join the conspiracy. Cassius plants forged letters in Brutus’s office, persuading him to join the conspiracy.

The same night, there is a great storm with supernatural omens. The same night, there is a great storm with supernatural omens. Cassius and the fellow conspirators arrive at Brutus’s garden, and the group resolves to stab Caesar. Cassius and the fellow conspirators arrive at Brutus’s garden, and the group resolves to stab Caesar. The next morning, Caesar’s wife, Calpurnia, begs Caesar to stay home instead of going to the capitol because she dreams of Caesar’s blood pouring like a fountain. Caesar consents to stay but is then persuaded to leave by Decius, a conspirator. The next morning, Caesar’s wife, Calpurnia, begs Caesar to stay home instead of going to the capitol because she dreams of Caesar’s blood pouring like a fountain. Caesar consents to stay but is then persuaded to leave by Decius, a conspirator. Caesar is stabbed. Before he dies, he says, “Et tu Brute?” Caesar is stabbed. Before he dies, he says, “Et tu Brute?”

Antony, Caesar’s friend, appeases the conspirators and is given permission to speak at Caesar’s funeral. Antony, Caesar’s friend, appeases the conspirators and is given permission to speak at Caesar’s funeral. Brutus speaks to the crowd and explains his reasons for killing Caesar. Then Antony speaks and reminds the citizens of Caesar’s greatness. Brutus speaks to the crowd and explains his reasons for killing Caesar. Then Antony speaks and reminds the citizens of Caesar’s greatness. Cassius and Brutus fight against Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus. Cassius and Brutus fight among themselves, and Brutus reveals his wife, Portia, is dead. Cassius and Brutus fight against Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus. Cassius and Brutus fight among themselves, and Brutus reveals his wife, Portia, is dead. The night before the battle, Caesar’s ghost appears to Brutus. The night before the battle, Caesar’s ghost appears to Brutus. Cassius and then Antony commit suicide. Cassius and then Antony commit suicide. Antony mourns over Brutus, the conspirator who killed Caesar for the good of Rome. Antony mourns over Brutus, the conspirator who killed Caesar for the good of Rome.

According to Aristotle, the tragic hero was an extraordinary man who rises to a high position and then falls from the position, which results in his desolation and disillusionment and/or death. According to Aristotle, the tragic hero was an extraordinary man who rises to a high position and then falls from the position, which results in his desolation and disillusionment and/or death. There are two forces working against the tragic hero. The tragic hero’s flaw or hamartia and fate. There are two forces working against the tragic hero. The tragic hero’s flaw or hamartia and fate. By the Renaissance, people felt less like pawns of fate and more control of their fate. By the Renaissance, people felt less like pawns of fate and more control of their fate. Is it the tragedy of Caesar or Brutus? Is it the tragedy of Caesar or Brutus?