Shakespeare: His Life and Times Adapted from

Early Life (Probably) Born April 23, 1564 Died April 23, 1616 Lived in Stratford-upon-Avon, England He was the 3rd born of 8 children Parents: Mary—daughter of wealthy landowner John—glovemaker, local politician

From: Location of Stratford-upon-Avon

As reproduced in William Rolfe, Shakespeare the Boy (1896). Stratford-upon-Avon in Shakespeare’s Time

From Stratford’s web site: Stratford-upon-Avon Today

From: Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Thought to have attended King’s New School in Stratford Left school at age 15 Educated in: Rhetoric Logic History Latin Education

From: King’s New School

At 18, he married 26 year-old Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time with their first daughter First daughter was born in 1582 They had twins in 1585 Around 1587, they moved to London and William began working in theatre. Married Life

From: Anne Hathaway’s Cottage

He was first a successful poet, and published poetry in 1593 Two major poems: Venus and Adonis Rape of Lucrece 154 Sonnets Nickname: The Bard of Avon The Poet

Member and later part-owner of an acting group called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later called the King’s Men This successful group eventually decided to build a theatre that would bring together the social elite as well as common peasants… THE GLOBE THEATRE! The Actor

The Playwright 38 plays firmly attributed to Shakespeare: 14 comedies 10 histories 10 tragedies 4 romances Collaborated on several others Many of his plays were performed at the Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre

Built in 1598 by Lord Chamberlain’s Men, with Shakespeare as primary investor Open-air, octagonal amphitheater that could seat up to 3000 In 1613, the Globe burned down during a canon fire during Henry VII It was rebuilt, only to be shut down by the Puritans in 1642 The new and improved Globe Theatre opened in May 1997 thanks to Queen Elizabeth II!

The Rebuilt Globe Theater, London

Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare did NOT write in “Old English.” Old English is the language of Beowulf (written in the 8th century): “Hwaet! We Gardena in geardagum Þeodcyninga Þrym gefrunon Hu ða æÞelingas ellen fremedon!” (Hey! We have heard of the glory of the Spear-Danes in the old days, the kings of tribes, how noble princes showed great courage!)

Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare did NOT write in “Middle English.” Middle English is the language of Chaucer, the Gawain-poet, and Malory (14th century): We redeth oft and findeth y-write— And this clerkes wele it wite— Layes that ben in harping Ben y-founde of ferli thing… (Sir Orfeo)

Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare wrote in “Early Modern English.” Shakespeare wrote most of his works in the late 16th century and into the early 17th century! EME wasn’t very different from “Modern English,” and Shakespeare helped standardize the style of today’s language.

Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare coined many words we still use today: Critical Majestic Dwindle And quite a few phrases as well: One fell swoop Flesh and blood Vanish into thin air With bated breath See

Historical Context The Renaissance -Cultural rebirth of Europe: music, art, lit -14th - 17th centuries Elizabethan Age -Named after Queen Elizabeth I -Ruled from Her love and interest in the arts influenced the time period

Elizabethan Theatrical Conventions

 No electricity = daytime only shows  Women forbidden to act on stage  No scene changes  Minimal props & costume These factors influenced the performance.

Scare tactics  Soliloquy  Aside  Monologue  Dialogue Types of speech  Blood and gore  Use of supernatural

 Use of disguises / mistaken identity  Multiple marriages (in comedies)  Multiple murders (in tragedies)  Last speaker—highest in rank (in tragedies)

 Controversial Topics  Humor  Sex / Sexuality  Parties & Celebrations  Deaths & Action Ultimately, Shakespeare delivered what would keep the audience intrigued: