Introducing William Shakespeare

The Man, The Myth, and The Legend Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England in 1564 Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England in 1564 Current ruler: Queen Elizabeth I (her 6 th year of rule at the time) Current ruler: Queen Elizabeth I (her 6 th year of rule at the time) Christened on April 26, his actual day of birth is unknown Christened on April 26, his actual day of birth is unknown

Family Son of John and Mary Arden Shakespeare Son of John and Mary Arden Shakespeare John Shakespeare was a glovemaker, an alderman, and served as mayor for some time. John Shakespeare was a glovemaker, an alderman, and served as mayor for some time. Towards the end of his life he lost most of his money. Towards the end of his life he lost most of his money.

His life William went to a very good grammar school. William went to a very good grammar school. In 1582, at age 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who was 7 or 8 years older then him. In 1582, at age 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who was 7 or 8 years older then him. It is thought that they may have been unhappy together. It is thought that they may have been unhappy together. Their 1 st daughter Susanna was born in 1583 and their twins Judith and Hamnet were born in Their 1 st daughter Susanna was born in 1583 and their twins Judith and Hamnet were born in Yet his only son Hamnet died at age 11. Yet his only son Hamnet died at age 11.

Career By 1592 Shakespeare was known as an actor and playwright, at age 28. By 1592 Shakespeare was known as an actor and playwright, at age 28. Between 1592 and 1594 most theaters were closed due to the outbreak of the plague which killed thousands. During this time he wrote sonnets. Between 1592 and 1594 most theaters were closed due to the outbreak of the plague which killed thousands. During this time he wrote sonnets.

Theater What do you think of when you think of the word ‘theater’? What do you think of when you think of the word ‘theater’? Movies? Movies? The city- New York, Philadelphia, etc. The city- New York, Philadelphia, etc. Fancy Dress- suits, gowns, etc. Fancy Dress- suits, gowns, etc. Expensive tickets. Expensive tickets. Very quiet, no food or drink, very serious. Very quiet, no food or drink, very serious.

Shakespeare’s Theater The family The Burbages ran most of the theaters in at the time. The family The Burbages ran most of the theaters in at the time. In 1598 he built the famous Globe Theater. Shakespeare owned shares in the theater. In 1598 he built the famous Globe Theater. Shakespeare owned shares in the theater. Where was the Globe located? Where was the Globe located? It was actually outside of London, across London Bridge, called “Southwark.” It was actually outside of London, across London Bridge, called “Southwark.”

Southwark What else was located in this area? What else was located in this area? People went there for entertainment. People went there for entertainment. Bearbaiting Bearbaiting Brothels (there were over 100 here in the year 1600) Brothels (there were over 100 here in the year 1600) How did people get to Southwark? How did people get to Southwark? It was located outside of London over London Bridge. It was located outside of London over London Bridge. So they had to take the ferry or walk over the bridge. So they had to take the ferry or walk over the bridge.

Cost of getting there How much was a ferry ride? How much was a ferry ride? A lot! How much did it cost to walk over the bridge? Nothing! So which did people choose? The bridge!

Theater Atmosphere What would you see walking over the bridge? What would you see walking over the bridge? Heads on Spikes!!! (not a very classy walk to the theater.) Heads on Spikes!!! (not a very classy walk to the theater.) How much did it cost to get into a show? How much did it cost to get into a show? 1 penny! How much did a beer cost?How much did a beer cost? 1 penny!!!1 penny!!!

Theater Atmosphere Who attended the theater? Who attended the theater? Everyone! Everyone! Except – The Queen – she had private plays at court. Except – The Queen – she had private plays at court. Who sat where? Who sat where? The stadium seats were more expensive because they were somewhat protected from the weather- rain, heat, etc. The stadium seats were more expensive because they were somewhat protected from the weather- rain, heat, etc.

The Globe (restored)

Sketch of inside

Theater Atmosphere The Theater was open to the sky much like today's stadiums. The Theater was open to the sky much like today's stadiums. The cheapest ‘seats’ were standing room on the floor in front of the stage, called the ‘pit’ area. The cheapest ‘seats’ were standing room on the floor in front of the stage, called the ‘pit’ area. The poor were the ones standing and they were called ‘the groundlings.’ The poor were the ones standing and they were called ‘the groundlings.’

The Gallery Area

The Groundling Pit

Theater Atmosphere Plays could only be performed during the daytime so there was light. Plays could only be performed during the daytime so there was light. A flag hung above the door of The Globe to let people know that there was a play that day and what type it was. A different color represented comedy, tragedy, or history. A flag hung above the door of The Globe to let people know that there was a play that day and what type it was. A different color represented comedy, tragedy, or history. Since people would be coming from work, they would be tired and in work clothes. Since people would be coming from work, they would be tired and in work clothes. Theater was one of there only breaks from hard physical labor. Theater was one of there only breaks from hard physical labor. The people that they worked for or served were out of their minds because they were high up above them and nowhere to be seen. The people that they worked for or served were out of their minds because they were high up above them and nowhere to be seen.

Carnival Attitude What would it be like there? What would it be like there? Crazy, wild, drunken times! Crazy, wild, drunken times! Why would the courts want people to partake in this? Why would the courts want people to partake in this? What holiday do we have now that is like a carnival? What holiday do we have now that is like a carnival? There used to be Carnival weeks where the lower classes would drink, sin, eat, etc. There used to be Carnival weeks where the lower classes would drink, sin, eat, etc. The courts allowed this because it calmed the masses. The courts allowed this because it calmed the masses. They could have that time to run wild and relieve stress. They could have that time to run wild and relieve stress. Which distracts them from thinking about how unhappy and mistreated they are. Which distracts them from thinking about how unhappy and mistreated they are. Theater replaced that carnival atmosphere. Theater replaced that carnival atmosphere.

The Stage

Crowd Control Who controlled the performances? Who controlled the performances? The crowd did! The crowd did! The actors and playwright had to please the masses. The actors and playwright had to please the masses. If they did not like it they would throw food, boo, hiss, and talk during the play. If they did not like it they would throw food, boo, hiss, and talk during the play. The actors often spoke directly to the audience, created characters that they could bond with, made fun of authority figures to please them, and include them in the interaction of the play. The actors often spoke directly to the audience, created characters that they could bond with, made fun of authority figures to please them, and include them in the interaction of the play.

Romeo and Juliet The world is full of rivalries—among countries, families, schools, even groups of friends. Occasionally, rivalries become so fierce that the members of one group refuse to associate with their rivals. In extreme cases, as you will see in this play, rivalries can even erupt into violence. The world is full of rivalries—among countries, families, schools, even groups of friends. Occasionally, rivalries become so fierce that the members of one group refuse to associate with their rivals. In extreme cases, as you will see in this play, rivalries can even erupt into violence. Shakespeare based his play about star-crossed lovers from fueding Italian families on a poem published in 1562 by Arthur Brooke. Brooke’s 3,000 line poem has a highlu moral tone: disobedience, as well as fate, leads to the deaths of the two lovers. His poem was based on a French version of the story written in Shakespeare based his play about star-crossed lovers from fueding Italian families on a poem published in 1562 by Arthur Brooke. Brooke’s 3,000 line poem has a highlu moral tone: disobedience, as well as fate, leads to the deaths of the two lovers. His poem was based on a French version of the story written in 1559.