William Shakespeare

Widely considered to be the greatest... writer in the English language. writer in the English language. playwright of all time. playwright of all time. William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s 37 Plays Romeo and Juliet Julius Caesar Hamlet Othello

Shakespeare: A Brief Bio Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, EnglandStratford-upon-Avon, EnglandStratford-upon-Avon, England At the age 18, he married Anne Hathaway, 26. At the age 18, he married Anne Hathaway, Children: Susanna and twins, Hamnet and Judith (Hamnet died in 1596, at age 11.) 3 Children: Susanna and twins, Hamnet and Judith (Hamnet died in 1596, at age 11.) By 1592: established reputation as a London playwright By 1592: established reputation as a London playwright By 1595: an actor, writer and part-owner of a playing company, known as the Lord Chamberlain's Men By 1595: an actor, writer and part-owner of a playing company, known as the Lord Chamberlain's Men Wrote most of his works between 1586 &1612 Wrote most of his works between 1586 &1612 Retired in 1613 to Stratford-upon-Avon Retired in 1613 to Stratford-upon-Avon Died in 1616 at the age of 52, unknown causes Died in 1616 at the age of 52, unknown causes

Elizabethan Era Reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603) Reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603) golden age in English history -- Renaissance, or a birth of new ideas golden age in English history -- Renaissance, or a birth of new ideas Queen Elizabeth was a writer and a poet. Queen Elizabeth was a writer and a poet. Her support of the arts allowed playwrights to flourish. Her support of the arts allowed playwrights to flourish.

The Globe Theater located in Southwark, the “sporting district” of London located in Southwark, the “sporting district” of London Southwark Popular “sports”: rooster fighting, bear baiting Popular “sports”: rooster fighting, bear baiting Theaters were not held in high regard – considered places of low morals Theaters were not held in high regard – considered places of low morals Actors & playwrights also looked down upon Actors & playwrights also looked down upon

Three Types of Plays Tragedies Tragedies Advertised with black flag Advertised with black flag Many deaths Many deaths Often a tragic hero with flaw leading to death Often a tragic hero with flaw leading to death Comedies Comedies Advertised with white flag Advertised with white flag Humor, fewer deaths Humor, fewer deaths Often featured mistaken identities & humorously looked at human faults Often featured mistaken identities & humorously looked at human faults Histories Histories Advertised with red flag Advertised with red flag Based on historical figures and events Based on historical figures and events

Bear Baiting Arenas called bear-gardens: Arenas called bear-gardens: Circular high fenced area (pit) Circular high fenced area (pit) Raised seating for spectators Raised seating for spectators Post towards the edge of pit Post towards the edge of pit Event: Event: Bear chained to post, by leg or neck Bear chained to post, by leg or neck Well-trained hunting dogs set on bear Well-trained hunting dogs set on bear Spectators would bet on whether the dogs or bear would survive Spectators would bet on whether the dogs or bear would survive

Shakespeare’s Audience All economic statuses All economic statuses Balcony Seats: 2¢ Balcony Seats: 2¢ Floor Seats: 1¢ Floor Seats: 1¢ “Groundlings” “Groundlings” Often packed in tight, pushed up to stage Often packed in tight, pushed up to stage Shakespeare’s plays appeal to this economically diverse group Shakespeare’s plays appeal to this economically diverse group lewd and suggestive material (supposedly to appeal to groundlings) lewd and suggestive material (supposedly to appeal to groundlings)

Shakespearean Actors Profession held in disregard Profession held in disregard Unthinkable position for females Unthinkable position for females All roles played by males All roles played by males Boys often played women’s roles (sometimes took up men’s roles as they matured) Boys often played women’s roles (sometimes took up men’s roles as they matured) Women were allowed to be in the audience. Women were allowed to be in the audience.

Impact on the English Language It is widely assumed that Shakespeare introduced more words into English than all the other writers of his time combined. bloodstained bloodsucking cold-blooded coldhearted discontent eyeball flawed hint hunchbacked lonely moonbeam torture tranquil

Adaptations, Inspirations, & Allusions: Shakespeare Today Ten Things I Hate About You ≈ Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew West Side Story ≈ Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet The Lion King ≈ Shakespeare’s Hamlet There are a numerous allusions to Shakespeare in popular culture. See if you can find one.

Styles of Clothing The way people dressed depended very much on their status. Wealthy women’s clothes were elaborate and ornate.

Sporting Events Often violent Often violent Bear Baiting Bear Baiting Bull Baiting Bull Baiting Fencing popular Fencing popular Early version of football also popular Early version of football also popular

Jousting In Elizabeth’s age, jousting was on the decline since it was no longer a skill necessary in war. However, jousting still took place at tournaments. In Elizabeth’s age, jousting was on the decline since it was no longer a skill necessary in war. However, jousting still took place at tournaments.

Torture and Punishment Harsh by today’s standards Harsh by today’s standards Public humiliation common Public humiliation common The Brank / Gossip’s Bridle> Punishment for women who gossiped with no purpose other than to offend, ridicule, or lie Sharpened mouthpiece, sometimes covered with spikes

The Plague a.k.a. the Black Death a.k.a. the Black Death first came to London in 1348 first came to London in 1348 A serious outbreak during Shakespeare’s life led to the closing of London theaters. A serious outbreak during Shakespeare’s life led to the closing of London theaters.

Music and Entertainment Stringed instruments grew in popularity during Queen Elizabeth’s reign. She even played the lute. Stringed instruments grew in popularity during Queen Elizabeth’s reign. She even played the lute. Music during this period became more expressive overall. Music during this period became more expressive overall.

Religion Religion divided many people in England during this time period. Elizabeth I encouraged religious tolerance, but this was by no means a religiously diverse society. Religion divided many people in England during this time period. Elizabeth I encouraged religious tolerance, but this was by no means a religiously diverse society.

Architecture This picture, taken on a street in Warwick, is an example of the Tudor style of architecture that flourished in Shakespeare’s day. This picture, taken on a street in Warwick, is an example of the Tudor style of architecture that flourished in Shakespeare’s day.

Foods Potatoes and modern chocolate – not yet in England Potatoes and modern chocolate – not yet in England Breads popular Breads popular Foods like the tomato considered potentially poisonous Foods like the tomato considered potentially poisonous

Marriage Rituals Legal marriage age Legal marriage age Boys: age 14 Boys: age 14 Girls: age 12. Girls: age 12. Nobles often married later. Nobles often married later. Every woman expected to marry Every woman expected to marry

Family Life Daily activities varied a great deal, depending on location. Daily activities varied a great deal, depending on location. London – hub for cultural and political activity London – hub for cultural and political activity Country – work demands Country – work demands Wealth also determined daily activities. Wealth also determined daily activities.

Heraldry (Coats of Arms) Coats of Arms were first used as military status symbols, but their popularity spread in tournaments, where knights trained. Coats of Arms were first used as military status symbols, but their popularity spread in tournaments, where knights trained.

Family names and family honor were of utmost importance. To dishonor the family name was worse than dying, and frequently people died to preserve and protect the honor of the family.