William Shakespeare: Life and Times

The Main Details Born 1564—died 1616 Stratford-upon-Avon Parents: John and Mary Arden Shakespeare Mary—daughter of wealthy landowner John— wealthy merchant (glove maker) and local politician

Location of Stratford-upon-Avon From: http://www.where-can-i-find.com/tourist-maps.html

Love and Marriage Married to Anne Hathaway in 1582 Anne was 26, he was 18  3 children: Susannah, then Hamnet and Judith (twins),  The youngest, Hamnet died at the age of 11

Leaving Town...  Went to London at 21  joined a travelling company of actors  Worked as an actor, a playwright, and a director

London Life in the 16th century Poor sewer system High crime rate But … 200,000 inhabitants the cultural and political heart of England

The Plays 37 plays firmly attributed to Shakespeare comedies histories tragedies poetry

Where the magic happened… opened in 1599 Was a wooden “O” shape - seated an audience of 3,000 in the open-air arena. (Today, it only seats 1,500!!!)

The Globe from across the Thames

Who got to go? EVERYONE!!! All classes were welcome. The “Box” Office “Groundlings,” paid a penny for admission, and stood on three sides of the stage for the entire production. The wealthier got to sit in the stalls around the stage The wealthiest were allowed to sit ON the stage or almost behind it That’s where they were most visible The “Box” Office Comes from the theatre – Dropped penny in box – Took box to office and counted the pennies – Hence, Box office hint

Side view looking at the stalls The wealthiest sat here, because everyone could see them, and know that they paid enough money to get those seats!! Because traveling companies, the stage is often empty – they rely more on acting and words more than props and scene change - Constant references to time/setting so the audience knows - Eaves Dropping” Eave where roof meets the all – A day at the theatre a lot dropped through the eaves – the eaves dropper was the person who would listen to what was shared at the theatre = GOSSIP!

The Stage Sometimes the wealthy even sat here! This globe was built without electric tools – They tried to recreate everything like it would be in Shakespeare’s time – Horse hair and grain The original globe burnt down because of a cannon in a scene catching the thatched roof

Roof of the Globe stage It’s painted like the sky and heavens because that’s what it was supposed to be...not just the roof of a stage. Weird transition between polytheistic Greek/roman period and Christianity – They still pray to the heavens and still reference fate This is a trap door that would open to let in the special effects or angels/ gods

The end of Romeo and Juliet

A rare sunny day look at the “O” The only thatched roof building allowed in ALL of London It was built the same way it would have been built in Shakespeare’s time: with no electrical devices or technologies

When can we go!? Performances were given every day except Sunday Weather permitting, of course! Ran between 2 and 5 o’clock in the afternoon A flag flew to signify the type of play being performed that day: black = tragedy, white = comedy, and red = history.

What was the theatre like? Vendors offered beer, water, oranges, nuts, gingerbread and apples, all of which were occasionally thrown at the actors. No bathrooms…you went where you were standing!! If it rained, you got rained on! The roles of women were played by men. The term “dressed in drag” comes from this

The end of his life Shakespeare did very well in London His plays brought him fame and wealth Returned to Stratford in 1610 Destruction of the Globe Theatre in 1613 (the Great Fire of London) In 1616 Shakespeare died on April 23 (his birthday!)

Minor differences thou (you) thine (your, yours) thee (you) thyself (yourself) prithee/pray (please) verily (very/truly) fie (a curse) aye/yea (yes) nay (no) anon (until later) owes (owns) morrow (day) crowkeeper (scarecrow)

Elizabethan Period What was the EP? Age of new ideas and a new way of thinking During the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1558-1568 Era of new inventions: The printing Press! Also a time of great suspicion due to rising fear of supernatural forces of nature or God Witchcraft

Elizabethan Class Structure Monarchy Nobility Gentry Merchants Yeomen Indigents Each class was very specific Each class had their own laws Each class was identified by the color they wore

His Lasting Influence LANGUAGE!!! (Hooray!) Credited with inventing at least 1700 words and phrases we use today. Just a few examples: dwindle - deafening - fashionable hurry - gossip - generous lonely - torture - puking amazement