WHO IS WILLY SHAKES?

Well first off, let’s begin by referring to him by his proper name: William Shakespeare

Born – exact date is unknown Baptized: April 23 rd, 1564 Where - Stratford-Upon-Avon near London, England

His Family… Was “well off”; he had 7 brothers and sisters! His father’s name was John - He was a glove-maker/shopkeeper/landowner -He was also Bailiff (Mayor) of Stratford His mother’s name was Mary Arden -she inherited land which was bequeathed (given to) to William

Education…  Shakespeare school until he was 15 years old, and primarily studied Latin  He read a good deal of classical mythology, including Ovid, and Plutarch, which he later used as sources

He Married…  Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in 1582  She was eight years older  Together they had 3 children: Susanna, and twins, Hammet and Judith

LONDON VS STRATFORD  Shakespeare lived in London for most of his life, and had little to do with Stratford, although he became its third largest landowner, and eventually retired there.

 By 1592 Shakespeare was 28 and had been married 10 years by then, and was not only recognized as a poet in London, but he was also known as a successful actor  Shakespeare was a member and part owner of a repertory group called the “Chamberlain’s Men”

SHAKESPEARE THE ACTOR  Shakespeare was an actor for 20 years, from 1585 to  An Elizabethan actor had to have many different skills including… The Globe Theater

 FENCING  audiences loved seeing duels, battles and contests  TUMBLING  as gods or ghosts, they had to disappear through holes in the stage  DANCING  most plays ended with the whole company dancing

 ELOCUTION  Words were often more important than actions  ACTING  each actor had to play various roles, and sometimes more than one per play  MUSIC  actors had to learn to play some instrument well

Shakespeare wrote plays. There are three main genres (types) of plays that he wrote: Historical plays Tragedy Comedy  Shakespeare also wrote poetry, most of which were in sonnet form.

 Some of Shakespeare’s famous plays include: Romeo and Juliet Hamlet King Lear A Midsummer Night’s Dream Othello Macbeth

He Retired…  Shakespeare retired from the THEATRE to his native Stratford sometime between 1611 and 1613, after having bought a large house called “New Place”

Shakespeare died in 1616  He is buried in the chancel of the Church of Holy Trinity

That’s all for now!