William Shakespeare: An Introduction Prepared by Mr. Grabham Brampton Christian School

What do we know of this Bard? Born on April 23, 1564 in a little country town called Stratford. Born on April 23, 1564 in a little country town called Stratford. Died on April 23, 1616 (same day!) as a very wealthy man on his estate in Stratford. He was 52. Died on April 23, 1616 (same day!) as a very wealthy man on his estate in Stratford. He was 52. England's greatest poet and playwright. England's greatest poet and playwright. An actor and part owner of the Globe Theatre in London. An actor and part owner of the Globe Theatre in London. There are no direct descendants of the poet and playwright alive today. There are no direct descendants of the poet and playwright alive today.

The question that continues to plague scholars… How did this "provincial nobody" (i.e. country hick) become, first, a professional actor on the London stage and then a superb playwright- "Star of Poets"? How did this "provincial nobody" (i.e. country hick) become, first, a professional actor on the London stage and then a superb playwright- "Star of Poets"?

What was Billy’s education? Did not go to university. Did not go to university. Wrote 37 plays: comedies, tragedies and Wrote 37 plays: comedies, tragedies and “histories”. Wrote 154 sonnets (14 line poems). Wrote 154 sonnets (14 line poems). Shakespeare was shaped by the culture of Elizabethan England (England under the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, 1558 – 1603). Shakespeare was shaped by the culture of Elizabethan England (England under the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, 1558 – 1603).

Elizabethan England The Elizabethan Era is often considered to be a golden age in English history. The Elizabethan Era is often considered to be a golden age in English history. Queen Elizabeth would often come to watch Shakespeare’s plays at The Globe Theatre in London. Queen Elizabeth would often come to watch Shakespeare’s plays at The Globe Theatre in London. Queen Elizabeth I at her coronation

Interesting Facts Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, was eight years older than Shakespeare and three months pregnant when they got married. Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, was eight years older than Shakespeare and three months pregnant when they got married. Shakespeare and his wife had three children, daughter Susannah, son Hamnet and Judith – who were twins. Shakespeare and his wife had three children, daughter Susannah, son Hamnet and Judith – who were twins. William lived through the Black Death, a plague epidemic that killed over 33,000 in London alone. William lived through the Black Death, a plague epidemic that killed over 33,000 in London alone. Illustration of the Black Death (1411)

Just to clarify… Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife, should not be confused with the actress that starred in The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada, and The Women (2008). Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife, should not be confused with the actress that starred in The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada, and The Women (2008). Little is known of the original Anne, and no images of her exist today. Little is known of the original Anne, and no images of her exist today. Anne Hathaway, American Actress.

Shakespeare’s Contribution to the English Language He invented 32,000 words. He invented 32,000 words. We still use about 5,000 today. We still use about 5,000 today. He invented phrases like “full circle”, “break the ice”, ”the naked truth”, “neither rhyme not reason”, “a sorry sight”, “hot blooded”. He invented phrases like “full circle”, “break the ice”, ”the naked truth”, “neither rhyme not reason”, “a sorry sight”, “hot blooded”. He invented words like “jaded”, “addiction”, “hint”, “fashionable”, “lonely”, “gossip”, “bandit”, and many more. He invented words like “jaded”, “addiction”, “hint”, “fashionable”, “lonely”, “gossip”, “bandit”, and many more.

Shakespeare’s Big Break By 1594, Shakespeare was an actor, writer and part- owner of a playing company known as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. He was also the principal playwright for them. By 1594, Shakespeare was an actor, writer and part- owner of a playing company known as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. He was also the principal playwright for them. In 1599, Lord Ch. Co. built The Globe Theatre where most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed. In 1599, Lord Ch. Co. built The Globe Theatre where most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed. The group became popular enough for the new king James I (1603) to adopt the company himself, after which it became known as the King’s Men. The group became popular enough for the new king James I (1603) to adopt the company himself, after which it became known as the King’s Men. King James I

Would you like to visit the Globe Theatre? Well, here we go!

“It’s time to don your doublet!” “ Tighten your trussing!”

“Get on your galligaskins!” “Females, fit on your farthingales!”

“Smooth your stomachers!” “Slip on your shoes!” “And grab your gloves!”

“Remember your ruffs!”

“Is everybody ready? Let’s go to the theatre!”

The Globe Theatre Stats Shakespeare’s theatre was located on the south-side of the Thomas River in London, England. The theatre would fly a white flag on performance days. The Globe could house around 3,000 spectators.

The Globe Theatre On June 29, 1613, the Globe Theatre went up in flames during a performance of Henry the Eighth. No one was hurt.

The New Globe Theatre The New Globe opened in 1997 and was recreated to be as faithful a replica as possible. Except for one big difference -- it includes a sprinkler system!!!

$ The Worth of a Dollar $ The cost of a theatre ticket was about the price of a pint of beer. The cost of a theatre ticket was about the price of a pint of beer. The cost of a book was about an average annual salary. The cost of a book was about an average annual salary.

Theatre Stats Plays were produced for the general public AND for the royalty Plays were produced for the general public AND for the royalty The theatre was roofless and open to the air The theatre was roofless and open to the air There was no artificial lighting There was no artificial lighting The courtyard was surrounded by 3 levels of galleries from which the play was viewed The courtyard was surrounded by 3 levels of galleries from which the play was viewed

Spectators The wealthy got benches. The wealthy got benches. “Groundlings”, the poorer people, stood and watched from the courtyard, known as the “pit”. “Groundlings”, the poorer people, stood and watched from the courtyard, known as the “pit”. All but the wealthy were uneducated and illiterate. All but the wealthy were uneducated and illiterate. There was much more interaction between the actors and audience than today. There was much more interaction between the actors and audience than today.

Staging Areas Stage - platform that extended into the pit Stage - platform that extended into the pit The dressing & storage rooms were in galleries behind & above the stage The dressing & storage rooms were in galleries behind & above the stage Trap door were used for ghosts Trap door were used for ghosts The “Heavens” were used for angelic beings The “Heavens” were used for angelic beings

Differences between theatre then & now… There was NO scenery There was NO scenery Instead, the settings were referenced in dialogue Instead, the settings were referenced in dialogue Very elaborate costumes Very elaborate costumes Used plenty of props Used plenty of props Very fast-paced and colorful Very fast-paced and colorful A typical Shakespeare play would last about the length of a movie - 2 hours! A typical Shakespeare play would last about the length of a movie - 2 hours!

Actors Only men and boys Only men and boys Young boys whose voices had not changed play women’s roles Young boys whose voices had not changed play women’s roles Would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage Would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage

We are set to begin! Now that you have experienced Shakespearian life, we are ready to begin studying one of his plays. Now that you have experienced Shakespearian life, we are ready to begin studying one of his plays. We will begin with Shakespeare’s delightful comedy, As You Like It. We will begin with Shakespeare’s delightful comedy, As You Like It.