William Shakespeare “He is the most famous writer in the world, but he left us no journals or letters—he left us only his poems and his plays.” 1

Renaissance 14th-16 th century 14th-16 th century Started in Italy Started in Italy “Rebirth”—renewed interest in classical learning (ancient Greece and Rome) “Rebirth”—renewed interest in classical learning (ancient Greece and Rome) Humanists - Focus on human reason, not just strict faith Humanists - Focus on human reason, not just strict faith Philosophy, history, languages, and the arts could teach us truths too. Not just the Bible! Philosophy, history, languages, and the arts could teach us truths too. Not just the Bible! Protestant Reformation – reformed Catholic Church and instituted the Church of England Protestant Reformation – reformed Catholic Church and instituted the Church of England King Henry VIII wants to divorce wife, daughter Mary takes over King Henry VIII wants to divorce wife, daughter Mary takes over Queen Elizabeth – re-establishes English Church Queen Elizabeth – re-establishes English Church 2

3 Shakespeare: Childhood 1564 : William Shakespeare born in Stratford Upon Avon : William Shakespeare born in Stratford Upon Avon One of 8 siblings. One of 8 siblings. Attended grammar school. Attended grammar school. Studied Latin grammar, Latin literature, and rhetoric. Studied Latin grammar, Latin literature, and rhetoric.

4 Shakespeare: Early Life Married Anne Hathaway at 18 years old. Had three children. A daughter and two twins. Left family to move to London.

5 Shakespeare: Career Becomes an actor and playwright by Employed by “King’s Men.” Officially “professional” playwright. Massive plague causes theaters to close down ( ). Shakespeare turns to poetry.

6 Shakespeare’s Success Romeo and Juliet one of his earlier plays. Romeo and Juliet one of his earlier plays. Written between 1594 and Written between 1594 and Retired in Retired in Had written 37 plays. Had written 37 plays. Masterpieces include: Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. Masterpieces include: Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth.

7 Shakespeare’s Success (cont.) During a Broadway season of Othello, one critic remarked that Shakespeare would be making $25,000 a week in royalties for each performance.

Shakespeare’s Success Today “Indeed, so absolute is Shakespeare’s achievement that he has himself come to seem like great creating nature: the common bond of humankind, the principle of hope, the symbol of the imagination’s power to transcend time-bound beliefs and assumptions, peculiar historical circumstances, and specific artistic conventions.” –Stephen Greenblatt 8

9 Shakespeare’s Theater: Origins 1576: James Burbage builds the first permanent theater in England. 1576: James Burbage builds the first permanent theater in England. Plays typically performed in courtyards. Plays typically performed in courtyards. 1599: Theater is torn down and rebuilt by Shakespeare and his actors. 1599: Theater is torn down and rebuilt by Shakespeare and his actors.

The Globe Theater Large, round building three stories high. Large, round building three stories high. Large platform stage under an open sky. Large platform stage under an open sky. Curtained off “inner stage.” Curtained off “inner stage.” Trapdoors were placed in the floor of main stage. Trapdoors were placed in the floor of main stage. Very few sets. Very few sets. Sets established by the language. Sets established by the language. 10

The Globe Theater All social classes present. All social classes present. Plays performed by all-male casts. Plays performed by all-male casts. Not a proscenium stage. Not a proscenium stage. No outer stage, only the inner stage; like looking in a window. No outer stage, only the inner stage; like looking in a window. 11

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15 Shakespeare: End of Life 1616: William Shakespeare becomes ill and dies. 1616: William Shakespeare becomes ill and dies. In his will, he leaves his wife his second best bed. In his will, he leaves his wife his second best bed. Strange or thoughtful? You decide! Strange or thoughtful? You decide!

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The Magic of Theatre “Playwrights have been tempted to write plays that imitate the style of movies. But this imitation rarely works. Theater and movies are different media. A theater audience does not necessarily want to be whisked form place to place… The theater is a medium of words. When we go to see a play, it is the movement of the words rather than the scenery that delight us.” 17