William Shakespeare 1564-1616

Considered the greatest English-speaking writer in history and known as England’s national poet.

Childhood William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, a bustling market town 100 miles northwest of London, and baptized there on April 26, 1564. His father, John Shakespeare was a man of many trades, from farming to leather work John boosted his social status by marrying Mary Arden, the daughter of an aristocratic landowner William was the third of eight Shakespeare children, of whom three died in childhood.

Education Attended Stratford Grammar School free of charge until the age of 14 He studied Latin and Greek as well as British and world history His education and passions are visible through his work of Julius Caesar, Macbeth and Henry IV.

Family Values At 18 Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway (1556-1616), a woman eight years his senior, in a ceremony thought to have been hastily arranged due to her pregnancy. A daughter, Susanna, was born less than seven months later in May 1583. Twins Hamnet and Judith followed in February 1585. Susanna and Judith would live to old age, while Hamnet, Shakespeare’s only son, died at 11. He left his family to pursue his acting and writing in London.

Writings Around 1595: Known knows for sure when exactly the plays were written. Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, King Lear, Cleopatra, Coriolanus

Shakespeare’s Quotes Hamlet: To be or not to be: that is the question. Romeo and Juliet: What’s in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet. Macbeth: Fair is foul, and foul is fair. Julius Caesar: Friends, Romans, countrymen lend me your ears Twelfth Night: If music be the food of love, play on…

Post Fame Returned to his family in Stratford and retired there. Shakespeare died at age 52 of unknown causes on April 23, 1616, leaving the bulk of his estate to his daughter Susanna. Stratford, England

The Shakespearean Theatre Produced in public theaters Public theaters were built around roofless courtyards with sunlight Performances were only performed during the day.

Globe Theater No one knows exactly what the Globe Theater truly looks like. It is round or octagonal It was open to the sky to let light in. Held between 2500-3000 people.

Globe Theatre The stage was a platform that extended into the pit Actors entered and left the stage from doors located behind the platform There was a second level gallery right above the stage and used as an upper stage Romeo and Juliet Balcony scene was showcased between the second and first level There was no scenery: dialogue was used to set the scence

Theater Goers Wealthier playgoers sat in the benches. Less wealthy spectators sat in the pit close to the stage. Hazelnuts were Elizabethan popcorn.

Actors Wore elaborate clothing Only men and boys were allowed to perform Women did not perform on stage It was not considered proper for women Boys of 11-13 performed female roles: before their voices changed

Globe Theater Replica Directions: Now use the information from the lecture and from the textbook (p. 764-765) to create a replica of the Shakespearean Globe Theatre. In groups draw your own Shakespearean Globe Theatre. Next, on each level or space of the Theatre include an organized review of Shakespeare’s life.

Globe Theater Replica Example The final product is a visual representation of Shakespeare’s life through the levels and architecture of the Globe Theater. Born April 6th Left Family to Pursue Acting and writing in London Retired and died in Stratford, England. Shakespeare