The life and times of William Shakespeare Considering that Billy is one of the most widely-read authors, we actually know very little about his life. We’ve come to know him as the Bard of Avon. Hey, what’s a bard anyway?

2 Billy Shakes was born in avon

3 Shakespeare lived during a period known as the Renaissance, which lasted from 1485 to 1660 in England. The word “renaissance” means “rebirth.” During this time, a new emphasis was placed on the development of human potential.

4 Ever heard of Michealangelo or Leonardo da Vinci?

5 Shakespeare grew up during Queen Elizabeth’s reign Her birth to King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn, was a disappointment because both wanted a son. However, their daughter Elizabeth would prove to be a fine monarch. The Renaissance in England peaked under her reign. She was a fan of Shakespeare.

6 Life was no piece of cake! The plague, also known as The Black Death, was an epidemic that ravaged Europe during this time. It became known as the Black Death because the victim’s skin would blacken due to hemorrhages under the skin.

7 House calls anyone? Only the very wealthy could afford an Elizabethan physician. These doctors wore long, dark robes with pointed hoods, leather gloves, boots, and bizarre masks that featured long beaks filled with oil.

8 Marriage customs… Where’s the love? Marriages would be arranged to bring prestige or wealth to the family. During this time, women were very much second class citizens. Regardless of their social standing, women were expected to marry.

9 Shakespeare in love Unlike many other writers of his day, Shakespeare did not go on to a university. Instead, he got married when he was 18 to Anne Hathaway, a woman who was 8 years older. They had 3 children.

10 What was Billy up to? In just 23 years, between about 1590 and 1613, scholars believe Shakespeare wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets and 5 other poems. Did you know? A collection of his work did not appear until 7 years after his death.

11 Inspiration for Romeo & Juliet The play was based on real lovers who lived in Verona, Italy who died for each other in the year Shakespeare found the story in Arthur Brooke's poem 'The Tragical Historye of Romeus and Juliet' (1562).

12 Insiders reveal Juliet is really a boy! The theatre in Shakespeare's day was very different from the theatre we know today. All of the women's roles were played by boys! Many of these boys acted their parts very well and all were totally accepted by Elizabethan audiences. The first women actors did not appear on the English stage until 1660!

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