WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE The Man The Myth The Legend

Biographical Information Born: Stratford-Upon Avon, England Born: Stratford-Upon Avon, England April 23, 1564 April 23, 1564 Parents, John and Mary (Arden) 7 brothers and sisters! Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Education Attended a local grammar school in Stratford but only until he was 15!! Attended a local grammar school in Stratford but only until he was 15!! Only studied Latin, Logic, and Literature Only studied Latin, Logic, and Literature

The Bard Goes MIA Little is known of what Shakespeare did from the time he left school until 1592 (aka “the lost years”) What we do know: November 1582 married Anne Hathaway (she was 18, he was 26) Daughter Susanna born that following May In 1585, twins, Hamnet and Judith were born Hamnet dies in 1596

The Bard is BACK! By 1592 he was established as a playwright, poet, and actor in London. His success was immense. Shakespeare is known to have written 154 sonnets and 37 plays!154 sonnets 37 plays In 1594 joined theater company: Lord Chamberlain’s Men Most of his plays were played by them and he even acted in several

Rumor Has It…. That Shakespeare couldn’t possibly have written his plays That Shakespeare couldn’t possibly have written his plays Why????? Why????? Lacked knowledge of the royal court Lacked knowledge of the royal court With his middle class upbringing, he could not have learned aristocratic sports and manners With his middle class upbringing, he could not have learned aristocratic sports and manners Lacked schooling Lacked schooling

The End of His Career Retires from theater in 1612 and moves back to Stratford-upon-Avon Retires from theater in 1612 and moves back to Stratford-upon-Avon 1616, after his daughter Judith marries, Shakespeare becomes ill 1616, after his daughter Judith marries, Shakespeare becomes ill A month later, April 23 he dies, buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon A month later, April 23 he dies, buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare’s Theatre The Globe Theatre, also known as the Shakespeare Globe Theatre, was not only one of most famous playhouses of all time, but the play house where Shakespeare performed many of his greatest plays.Globe Theatre Built from oak, deal, and stolen playhouse frames, the 3 storey, 3000 capacity Co-owned by William Shakespeare Almost as famous as the playwright himself

A Shakespearean Play A show lasted about 2 ½ hours, usually in open air theatres during the afternoon. There were no acts, but frequent intermissions. There was no scenery, but elaborate props and costumes to give reality. Devices such as trap doors and scaffolds were used to make gods, witches, etc. disappear.

A Shakespearean Play There were no actresses. All parts were played by men or boys. There were no programs. The closeness of stage to the audience led to use of "asides" and "soliloquies“. In front of stage was a big open area where the "penny-public" stood to watch as they could not afford seats. The gallery seats were saved for lawyers, nobles, and wealthy merchants