Introducing: Mr. William Shakespeare

The Poet and Playwright Born: April 23, 1564 Born: April 23, : Enters Grammar School 1571: Enters Grammar School 1582: Marries Anne Hathaway; she is 8 years his senior 1582: Marries Anne Hathaway; she is 8 years his senior 1583: Daughter Susanna is born 1583: Daughter Susanna is born 1585: Twins Hamnet & Judith are born; Hamnet dies at age : Twins Hamnet & Judith are born; Hamnet dies at age : Shakespeare in London working as an actor and playwright 1592: Shakespeare in London working as an actor and playwright 1593: Begins writing the sonnets (154) 1593: Begins writing the sonnets (154) 1599: Shakespeare’s company builds the Globe Theatre (he owned 1/10) 1599: Shakespeare’s company builds the Globe Theatre (he owned 1/10) Dies: April 23, 1616 Dies: April 23, 1616

Shakespeare: has “great-souled” insight He has been called the most influential writer in all of English Literature. He has been called the most influential writer in all of English Literature. He gets this description because all of his plays and poems are universal in theme. He gets this description because all of his plays and poems are universal in theme.

Mr. Shakespeare’s Resume

Fun Facts What is Shakespeare’s longest play? What is Shakespeare’s longest play? Hamlet, with 4,042 lines. What is Shakespeare’s shortest play? What is Shakespeare’s shortest play? The Comedy of Errors, with 1,787 lines.

Fun Facts 884,647 Words 118,406 Lines

Fun Facts Shakespeare’s complete works consist of: 884,647 Words 118,406 Lines

Fun Facts Unlike many famous 16 th c. poets and artists, Shakespeare not only did not die penniless but was a frequent performer before the Court of Queen Elizabeth I (The Merry Wives of Windsor in 1596, A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream in 1603). He bought one of the largest properties in Stratford called The New Place and penned 9 plays by 1595.

Words, Words, Words Today, an average person’s vocabulary might include 2000 words in everyday conversation. Today, an average person’s vocabulary might include 2000 words in everyday conversation. Shakespeare is said to have had a vocabulary of some 29,066 words. Shakespeare is said to have had a vocabulary of some 29,066 words.

Words, Words, Words In Brush Up Your Shakespeare!, author Michael Macrone explains that it’s not always easy to determine who first coined a word, but notes that the Oxford English Dictionary attributes all of the bold- faced words below (and some 500 more) to Shakespeare. From the spectacled pedant to the schoolboy, all gentlefolk recognize Shakespeare as a fathomless fount of coinages. The honey-tongued Bard had no rival, nor could he sate his never-ending addiction to madcap, flowery or foul- mouthed [new words]. Even time-honored exposure cannot besmirch our amazement at the countless and useful words that lend radiance to our lackluster lives. All in a day’s work !

21 st Century Shakespeare A Google search of “Shakespeare” will return over 52 million web pages for browsing pleasure. A Google search of “Shakespeare” will return over 52 million web pages for browsing pleasure. Macbeth is thought to be one of the most produced plays ever, with a performance beginning somewhere in the world every four hours! Macbeth is thought to be one of the most produced plays ever, with a performance beginning somewhere in the world every four hours!

The Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre opened in 1599 and later burned to the ground in 1613; it reopened a year later in 1614.

Present Day Globe Theatre: In 1997 a group of theater buffs opened it back up.

Shakespeare On Screen Over 300 film adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, dating from as early as the 1930s, have been recorded.

Shakespeare On Screen Antony and Cleopatra As You Like It Hamlet Henry IV, parts 1 and 2, and Henry V Julius Caesar King John King Lear Love's Labour's Lost Macbeth The Merchant of Venice A Midsummer Night's Dream Much Ado About Nothing Othello Richard III Romeo and Juliet The Taming of the Shrew The Tempest Titus Andronicus Twelfth Night The Winter's Tale

The End

Shakespeare facts cited from the Folger Shakespeare Library at and A Reader’s Guide to Shakespeare edited by Joseph Rosenblum

Final Thoughts Finally, tell me about your past experience with Shakespeare. Finally, tell me about your past experience with Shakespeare. What have you read of Shakespeare’s works in the past? What have you read of Shakespeare’s works in the past? What did you find most enjoyable about reading/studying Shakespeare? What did you find most enjoyable about reading/studying Shakespeare? Was there anything you found particularly difficult in the past? Was there anything you found particularly difficult in the past? If so, what would make your experience more enjoyable with Macbeth? If so, what would make your experience more enjoyable with Macbeth?