William Shakespeare Life and Works Ms. Met English 10

Shakespeare

Shakespeare Myths One of the great mysteries of English drama is that so little is known for sure about one of its most famous playwrights. One of the great mysteries of English drama is that so little is known for sure about one of its most famous playwrights. Fact became mingled with legend in the 100 years after Shakespeare’s death, and it was not until then that any biographical information was recorded. Fact became mingled with legend in the 100 years after Shakespeare’s death, and it was not until then that any biographical information was recorded.

Shakespeare’s Birth and Family Shakespeare’s exact birthday is unknown, but he was baptized on April 26 th, 1564, in Stratford-on-Avon, England. Shakespeare’s exact birthday is unknown, but he was baptized on April 26 th, 1564, in Stratford-on-Avon, England. His father, John, was a prosperous wool, leather, and grain merchant as well as a town official. His father, John, was a prosperous wool, leather, and grain merchant as well as a town official. His mother, Mary, was the daughter of a gentleman farmer. His mother, Mary, was the daughter of a gentleman farmer.

Youth and Marriage It is known that young William attended school and studied Latin and literature. It is known that young William attended school and studied Latin and literature. In 1582, he married Hathaway, a woman eight years his senior. They had three children: a daughter, Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judeth. In 1582, he married Hathaway, a woman eight years his senior. They had three children: a daughter, Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judeth.

Working with Actors In 1586, Shakespeare left Stratford to become the stage manager of The Theatre in London, so named because it was the only theatre in town. In 1586, Shakespeare left Stratford to become the stage manager of The Theatre in London, so named because it was the only theatre in town. He soon joined the acting company of The Theatre, and with Richard Burbage and William Kemp he performed at court in many plays. He soon joined the acting company of The Theatre, and with Richard Burbage and William Kemp he performed at court in many plays.

Earliest works Shakespeare’s earliest works were produced in , including several of the histories and Love’s Labour’s Lost, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Comedy of Errors. Shakespeare’s earliest works were produced in , including several of the histories and Love’s Labour’s Lost, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Comedy of Errors. In 1592, he wrote Romeo and Juliet. In 1592, he wrote Romeo and Juliet. It was followed in quick succession by The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, All’s Well That Ends Well, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. It was followed in quick succession by The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, All’s Well That Ends Well, The Taming of the Shrew, and The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Strategic Move Shakespeare made an important business move in 1599 when he joined Richard Burbage and several other actors and built the Globe Theatre. Shakespeare made an important business move in 1599 when he joined Richard Burbage and several other actors and built the Globe Theatre. He was a shareholder in the Globe and a part-owner of a company of actors called Lord Chamberlain’s Company, later known as The King’s Men. He was a shareholder in the Globe and a part-owner of a company of actors called Lord Chamberlain’s Company, later known as The King’s Men.

The Globe Many of Shakespeare’s plays were produced at the Globe, where he had both financial security and a first-rate acting company to produce his plays. Many of Shakespeare’s plays were produced at the Globe, where he had both financial security and a first-rate acting company to produce his plays. This was his greatest writing period. This was his greatest writing period.

Greatest Writing Period In he wrote Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night. In he wrote Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night. Between , he wrote tragedies for which he is so well remembered: Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, King Lear, and Antony and Cleopatra, among others. Between , he wrote tragedies for which he is so well remembered: Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, King Lear, and Antony and Cleopatra, among others. During this time he also wrote 154 sonnets which were published in During this time he also wrote 154 sonnets which were published in Late in 1608 or 1609, Shakespeare and his partners purchased the Blackfriars Theatre to use as a winter location for play production. Late in 1608 or 1609, Shakespeare and his partners purchased the Blackfriars Theatre to use as a winter location for play production.

Height of Fame and Popularity In 1611, at the height of his fame and popularity, Shakespeare moved back to Stratford. In 1611, at the height of his fame and popularity, Shakespeare moved back to Stratford. His son died at this time. His son died at this time. He sold out his interests in London, although he did continue to write and travel to the city until his death in He sold out his interests in London, although he did continue to write and travel to the city until his death in 1616.

Interesting Facts Shakespeare was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon. He put a curse on anyone daring to move his body from that final resting place. His epitaph was: Shakespeare was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon. He put a curse on anyone daring to move his body from that final resting place. His epitaph was:Stratford-upon-Avon Good friend for Jesus' sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here: Blest be the man that spares these stones, And curst be he that moves my bones. Though it was customary to dig up the bones from previous graves to make room for others, Shakespeare's remains are still undisturbed.

The Matter of Suicide Suicide occurs an unlucky thirteen times in Shakespeare's plays. Suicide occurs an unlucky thirteen times in Shakespeare's plays. It occurs in Romeo and Juliet where both Romeo and Juliet commit suicide, in Julius Caesar where both Cassius and Brutus die by consensual stabbing, as well as Brutus' wife Portia, in Othello where Othello stabs himself, in Hamlet where Ophelia is said to have "drowned" in suspicious circumstances, in Macbeth when Lady Macbeth dies, and finally in Antony and Cleopatra where suicide occurs an astounding five times (Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras and Eros). It occurs in Romeo and Juliet where both Romeo and Juliet commit suicide, in Julius Caesar where both Cassius and Brutus die by consensual stabbing, as well as Brutus' wife Portia, in Othello where Othello stabs himself, in Hamlet where Ophelia is said to have "drowned" in suspicious circumstances, in Macbeth when Lady Macbeth dies, and finally in Antony and Cleopatra where suicide occurs an astounding five times (Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras and Eros).

In a Nutshell Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of 52. He wrote on average 1. 5 plays a year since he first started in His last play The Two Noble Kinsmen is reckoned to have been written in 1613 when he was 49 years old. Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of 52. He wrote on average 1. 5 plays a year since he first started in His last play The Two Noble Kinsmen is reckoned to have been written in 1613 when he was 49 years old. While he was writing the plays at such a pace he was also conducting a family life, a social life and a full business life, running an acting company and a theatre. And he was practicing his profession as an actor he was also writing poems. While he was writing the plays at such a pace he was also conducting a family life, a social life and a full business life, running an acting company and a theatre. And he was practicing his profession as an actor he was also writing poems. If he wrote at night he was doing it in poor lighting and using a quill and ink. If he wrote at night he was doing it in poor lighting and using a quill and ink.

The Globe Theatre

Physical Aspects The Globe had three levels open to the sky and set on a large platform. The stage jutted out into the audience on three sides. The Globe had three levels open to the sky and set on a large platform. The stage jutted out into the audience on three sides. The building itself was octagon-shaped (8 sides). A cross section of the London population attended. The building itself was octagon-shaped (8 sides). A cross section of the London population attended.

How Much Does it Cost? For one cent, a theatre-goer could stand or sit on the group and would be referred to as a “groundling.” For one cent, a theatre-goer could stand or sit on the group and would be referred to as a “groundling.” Two cents would buy a seat in the galleries and elsewhere. Two cents would buy a seat in the galleries and elsewhere. The noblemen paid nothing, and were seated in the lord’s rooms near the stage. The noblemen paid nothing, and were seated in the lord’s rooms near the stage.

Globe Audience Capacity - the Globe theatre could hold 1500 people in the audience and this number expanded to 3000 with the people who crowded outside the theatres Globe Audience Capacity - the Globe theatre could hold 1500 people in the audience and this number expanded to 3000 with the people who crowded outside the theatres Royalty - Queen Elizabeth I loved watching plays but these were generally performed in indoor playhouses for her pleasure. She would not have attended the plays performed at the amphitheatres such as the Globe Royalty - Queen Elizabeth I loved watching plays but these were generally performed in indoor playhouses for her pleasure. She would not have attended the plays performed at the amphitheatres such as the Globe The Nobles - Upper Class Nobles would have paid for the better seats in the Lord's rooms paying 5d for the privilege The Nobles - Upper Class Nobles would have paid for the better seats in the Lord's rooms paying 5d for the privilege The Lower Classes, the Commoners, were called the Groundlings or Stinkards, and would have stood in the theatre pit and paid 1d entrance fee. They put 1 penny in a box at the theatre entrance - hence the term 'Box Office' The Lower Classes, the Commoners, were called the Groundlings or Stinkards, and would have stood in the theatre pit and paid 1d entrance fee. They put 1 penny in a box at the theatre entrance - hence the term 'Box Office'

When Are Plays Performed? Plays were always performed during the day, as there were no lights. Plays were always performed during the day, as there were no lights. A flag was flown on top of the theatre on days when a play would be given. A flag was flown on top of the theatre on days when a play would be given.

Setting/Staging The plays performed at the Globe Theatre had little or no interruption. There were no curtains to signal the end of an act, although there was a tiring house, a room where actors could change costumes or stay out of view when they were not on stage. The plays performed at the Globe Theatre had little or no interruption. There were no curtains to signal the end of an act, although there was a tiring house, a room where actors could change costumes or stay out of view when they were not on stage. The settings were given through action and dialogue. The actors’ soliloquies made the audience feel particularly involved, as the actors seemed to be talking directly to the audience. The settings were given through action and dialogue. The actors’ soliloquies made the audience feel particularly involved, as the actors seemed to be talking directly to the audience. Actors’ entrances and exits were seen openly by the audience through two doors on either side of the stage.

Who are the actors? Senior actors got the major parts in plays. The were experienced and often held shares in the theatre company. Senior actors got the major parts in plays. The were experienced and often held shares in the theatre company. Hired men, who were paid weekly and held no shares, held backstage jobs and played minor parts in the plays. Hired men, who were paid weekly and held no shares, held backstage jobs and played minor parts in the plays. Boy actors played the roles of women and children. Boy actors played the roles of women and children.

The Stage at the Globe Here's the stage. Here's the stage. The design for the stage is based upon what scholars know about staging in Elizabethan plays. The design for the stage is based upon what scholars know about staging in Elizabethan plays. There is the balcony, of course, which occurs in so many of Shakespeare's plays. There is the balcony, of course, which occurs in so many of Shakespeare's plays. The painting on the underside of the roof is called "the heavens" and represents the sky. There are three entrance doors below and two above. The stage sits up about 5 feet off the ground The painting on the underside of the roof is called "the heavens" and represents the sky. There are three entrance doors below and two above. The stage sits up about 5 feet off the ground

Side View of the Stage Here is the stage from the side. It gives a great view of the actors as well as the audience and allows people to sit under shelter which, considering if it rains, is a good thing. Here is the stage from the side. It gives a great view of the actors as well as the audience and allows people to sit under shelter which, considering if it rains, is a good thing. Sitting here also allows you to watch the audience which is interesting. Sitting here also allows you to watch the audience which is interesting. The Globe does one traditional performance a season. This means traditional everything right down to having males portray the female characters. The Globe does one traditional performance a season. This means traditional everything right down to having males portray the female characters. The seats on either side of the stage on the second level are where the Queen sat and are considered the best seats in the house (therefore the most expensive). The seats on either side of the stage on the second level are where the Queen sat and are considered the best seats in the house (therefore the most expensive).

The Gallery During Performance Here you see the gallery as it fills up for the performance. Here you see the gallery as it fills up for the performance. The Globe can seat 1500 people of these are in the gallery seats and 500 can stand in the groundlings section. The Globe can seat 1500 people of these are in the gallery seats and 500 can stand in the groundlings section. The Globe is the first building in London to be built with a thatched roof since the great fire of London in the 1600s. The thatch is sprayed with fire retardant chemicals, as is the wood in the theatre, but otherwise is just as it would have been in Shakespeare's day. The Globe is the first building in London to be built with a thatched roof since the great fire of London in the 1600s. The thatch is sprayed with fire retardant chemicals, as is the wood in the theatre, but otherwise is just as it would have been in Shakespeare's day.

The Groundling Area

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