William Shakespeare The Bard of Avon

William Shakespeare One of the most famous writers of all time. One of the most famous writers of all time.

Born April 23, 1564 April 23, 1564 Stratford-on Avon: Stratford-on Avon: a market town 100 miles northwest of London, England The year he was born, 1/16 of population of England died of the Black Plague The year he was born, 1/16 of population of England died of the Black Plague

His father Father: John—a glove maker Father: John—a glove maker Elected alderman (councilman) in 1565 Elected alderman (councilman) in 1565 Father was elected mayor of Stratford in 1566 Father was elected mayor of Stratford in 1566 Lost money and by 1577 had to borrow money against his wife’s estate Lost money and by 1577 had to borrow money against his wife’s estate

His mother Mother: Mary Arden, was fairly wealthy in her own right Mother: Mary Arden, was fairly wealthy in her own right

School Went to grammar school until he was 13 Went to grammar school until he was 13 Studied Studied Latin grammar and Literature Latin grammar and Literature Theatre and acting Theatre and acting the Bible the Bible Rhetoric (uses of language) Rhetoric (uses of language) No further formal education No further formal education

Married November 1582 Married at age 18 Married at age 18 Anne Hathaway (8 years older than him) Anne Hathaway (8 years older than him) She was 26 She was 26

His 3 Children 1 st child: Susanna in May of st child: Susanna in May of 1583 She married John Hall a physician in 1607 Their daughter Elizabeth (born 1608) married twice but had no children

2 were twins (Judith and Hamnet in 1585) 2 were twins (Judith and Hamnet in 1585) Son and heir Hamnet died at age 11 in 1596 Son and heir Hamnet died at age 11 in 1596

Judith married Thomas Quiney in 1616 Judith married Thomas Quiney in 1616 Had 3 children all who died without marrying Had 3 children all who died without marrying

The Lost Years For next 7 years not much is known about him For next 7 years not much is known about him Bought a house and called it “New Place” Bought a house and called it “New Place”

His Career He moved to London and his family stayed in Stratford He moved to London and his family stayed in Stratford By 1606 he was well known in London for his plays By 1606 he was well known in London for his plays Moved back to Stratford in 1611 Moved back to Stratford in 1611

Career By 1592 had become an actor and playwright By 1592 had become an actor and playwright 1594 was a charter member of Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later called King’s Men) 1594 was a charter member of Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later called King’s Men) This theatre company was supported by King James This theatre company was supported by King James

Globe Theatre Shakespeare and his company built the Globe Theatre Shakespeare and his company built the Globe Theatre Most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed here Most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed here

Famous Plays Wrote 39 plays Wrote 39 plays Wrote comedies, tragedies, and histories Wrote comedies, tragedies, and histories

Some Famous Plays Romeo and Juliet (one of his early plays) Romeo and Juliet (one of his early plays) Julius Caesar Julius Caesar Hamlet Hamlet Macbeth Macbeth Othello Othello King Lear King Lear

Plays None of his plays were published until after his death because the printing press had just been invented None of his plays were published until after his death because the printing press had just been invented All plays were hand-copied All plays were hand-copied

Style of Plays Written in iambic pentameter Written in iambic pentameter Blank verse Blank verse Rhyming couplets end scenes Rhyming couplets end scenes Lots of metaphors Lots of metaphors Used puns Used puns

Also wrote poetry 154 sonnets 154 sonnets Long poems Long poems Venus and Adonis Rape of Lucrece A Lover’s Complaint

Sonnets Appeared, without his permission, in 1609 and advertised as "never before imprinted". Appeared, without his permission, in 1609 and advertised as "never before imprinted". The publisher, although reputable, clearly wanted to make use of the celebrity of William Shakespeare who by 1609 was a famous member of the Globe Theatre The publisher, although reputable, clearly wanted to make use of the celebrity of William Shakespeare who by 1609 was a famous member of the Globe Theatre

Sonnets Shakespeare did not title or number his sonnets. That was added by the publisher Shakespeare did not title or number his sonnets. That was added by the publisher

Sonnet form 14-line 14-line Rhyme pattern is abab cdcd efef gg, with the final couplet used to summarize the previous 12 lines or present a surprise ending. Rhyme pattern is abab cdcd efef gg, with the final couplet used to summarize the previous 12 lines or present a surprise ending. Iambic pentameter. (An iamb is a metrical foot consisting of one stressed syllable and one unstressed syllable — as in dah-DUM, dah-DUM dah-DUM dah-DUM dah-DUM.) Iambic pentameter. (An iamb is a metrical foot consisting of one stressed syllable and one unstressed syllable — as in dah-DUM, dah-DUM dah-DUM dah-DUM dah-DUM.) Shakespeare uses five of these in each line, which makes it a pentameter. Shakespeare uses five of these in each line, which makes it a pentameter.

Died April 23, 1616 April 23, 1616 On his 52 nd birthday On his 52 nd birthday Buried under the old stone floor in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Buried under the old stone floor in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Carved over his grave is a curse Carved over his grave is a curse

Tombstone Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones. Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones.

Shakespeare’s will Left his estate to Susanna with the stipulation she was to pass it to the first child of her body. Left his estate to Susanna with the stipulation she was to pass it to the first child of her body. His direct line was ended His direct line was ended

He left his wife “the second best bed.” He left his wife “the second best bed.” Left Judith 150 pounds and 150 in trust Left Judith 150 pounds and 150 in trust Left Elizabeth all the silver Left Elizabeth all the silver