William Shakespeare “Not for an age, but for all time.”

Early Life ▪ Born April 23, 1564 (baptized April 26) in Stratford ▪ Father John was a wealthy merchant and served as mayor ▪ Attended Stratford Grammar School; studied Latin, classic lit and the Bible. Did not attend university. ▪ Married Anne Hathaway in November 1582 (he was 18, she was 26); first child, Susanna, was born May 1583 and twins Hamnet and Judith were born in February 1585 ▪ No history from ▪ In 1592, Shakespeare left his family and moved to London

London Life ▪ 1592, began writing plays and making a name for himself ▪ Worked as an actor and playwright (considered disreputable professions) ▪ London theatres closed due to plague ▪ 1594 Shakespeare joined Lord Chamberlain’s men, a group which performed in the Globe theater, Blackfriars theater, and performed 6 plays for Queen Elizabeth ▪ Became an actor and shareholder in the Globe ▪ 1596 Hamnet dies at age 11, giving his plays deeper meaning and tragedy ▪ In 1613, Shakespeare retired from London and returned to Stratford

Later Life ▪ 1613 Retired from London; returned to Stratford ▪ Died April 23, 1616 (52 nd birthday ▪ Buried in Trinity Church, Stratford ▪ Wrote his own epitaph ▪ Left his wife his second-best bed ▪ Anne died in 1623

Contribution First Folio ▪ Shakespeare’s friends published his work posthumously ▪ 38 plays; over 150 poems ▪ Ben Jonson: “Not for an age, but for all time” Categories ▪ Comedies (Twelfth Night, Midsummer Night’s Dream, etc.) ▪ Histories (Henry V, Richard III) ▪ Tragedies (Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet) ▪ Romances (Winter’s Tale, Tempest)

Elizabethan Theatre ▪ Actors performed wherever they could find space and an audience ▪ Used portable stages; moved; scenery very limited ▪ Rowdy audiences yelled their approval or lack thereof ▪ No women actors; young boys played women ▪ Elaborate costumes; taught to sing and dance ▪ First permanent theater built 1576 ▪ Trap door in stage used for “hell;” curtained balcony used for “heaven” ▪ Theatres were disassembled, burnt down, moved and rebuilt many times

Julius Caesar Lived from BC (how does this compare to Oedipus?) In Caesar’s day, Roman world was constantly at war Caesar was a Roman military commander and dictator; moved his armies through Europe, Asia, and Africa Once home, Caesar, Pompey and Crassus formed the First Triumvirate (3 man governing body) in 60 BC Pompey married Caesar’s daughter, who died shortly afterward Pompey was angry at her death and began turning the senators against Caesar

Trouble in Rome ▪ Caesar wanted more power, so he left for the Gallic wars to get conquests and money, which he sent back to Rome to gain popularity ▪ Caesar considered himself the defender of the populares, but many said he got support from bribes and that he deprived the people of liberty and self-respect ▪ Pompey continued to sway the senators against Caesar; called for Caesar to resign his command

The Lead-up Caesar refused to resign his command and instead marched into Rome and took control Pompey fled to Egypt, where he was murdered Caesar declared dictator; made his supporters senators, Brutus included Erected a statue of himself with the inscription “To the Unconquerable God” Common people loved him and declared him Dictator for Life Many senators didn’t want Caesar to grow in power— their republic was coming under the rule of one again Caesar’s arrogance and power became unbearable for some senators and they made plans to assassinate him on March 15, 44 BC Shakespeare’s play opens one month before