Introduction to William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Born 1564, died 1616 Born 1564, died 1616 Wrote 37 plays Wrote 37 plays Wrote over 150 sonnets Wrote over 150 sonnets Actor, poet, playwright Actor, poet, playwright Lived during the Renaissance, an era with an interest in individual achievement: Lived during the Renaissance, an era with an interest in individual achievement: Scientifically, geographically, commercially, philosophically, artistically Scientifically, geographically, commercially, philosophically, artistically

Shakespeare’s Early Life 1564 He was born on April 23 in Stratford-on-Avon He was born on April 23 in Stratford-on-Avon. His father, John, was a prosperous glove maker. He later became the mayor of Stratford. His father, John, was a prosperous glove maker. He later became the mayor of Stratford. Mother was Mary Arden, who was from a socially prominent family. Mother was Mary Arden, who was from a socially prominent family. Both parents were illiterate Both parents were illiterate

Stratford Upon Avon

A Young Man  He married Anne Hathaway. (He was 18 years old…she was 26)  They had three children; Susanna and twins, Hamnet and Judith. and twins, Hamnet and Judith.  Hamnet, his only son, died at age 11  1592, At age 28, Shakespeare left his family and headed to London. his family and headed to London. Not much is known about the Not much is known about the years between his marriage and years between his marriage and when he left for London when he left for London

Gaining Notoriety He performed as a member of Lord Chamberlain’s men, who mostly performed for royalty He performed as a member of Lord Chamberlain’s men, who mostly performed for royalty First gained status when he performed for Queen Elizabeth I First gained status when he performed for Queen Elizabeth I She supported all arts: literature, painting, theater, music, sculpture She supported all arts: literature, painting, theater, music, sculpture By 1594 six of his plays were written and produced. By 1594 six of his plays were written and produced.

His Death 1612 at age 48, Shakespeare returned to Stratford, in partial retirement at age 48, Shakespeare returned to Stratford, in partial retirement. 1616, He died at the young age of , He died at the young age of 52. He is buried inside Stratford’s Holy Trinity Church. He is buried inside Stratford’s Holy Trinity Church.

Publication 1616 Shakespeare died at the age of 52 after having written ____ plays 1616 Shakespeare died at the age of 52 after having written ____ plays 1623 Completed works were published 7 years after his death Completed works were published 7 years after his death. This was known a the First Folio. This was known a the First Folio.

14 Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy ending 14 Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy ending 12 Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings that chronicled the downfall of a tragic hero 12 Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings that chronicled the downfall of a tragic hero 11 Histories – plays that chronicled the lives of English monarchs 11 Histories – plays that chronicled the lives of English monarchs Shakespeare wrote 3 types of Plays:

Shakespearean Language Coined over 1000 words, many still in use today. Coined over 1000 words, many still in use today. Shakespeare wrote in blank verse, which is unrhymed iambic pentameter Shakespeare wrote in blank verse, which is unrhymed iambic pentameter In order to maintain his meter, Shakespeare sometimes altered standard English in the following ways: He sometimes changed grammar. He sometimes inverted word order. He sometimes omitted words or letters. In order to maintain his meter, Shakespeare sometimes altered standard English in the following ways: He sometimes changed grammar. He sometimes inverted word order. He sometimes omitted words or letters.

Elizabethan Words to Know for Julius Caesar An,and: If An,and: If Aught: Anything Aught: Anything Anon: Soon Anon: Soon Aye: Yes Aye: Yes Beseech:Beg Beseech:Beg But:Only But:Only Durst:Dared Durst:Dared E’en:Even E’en:Even E’er: Ever E’er: Ever Hie:Hurry Hie:Hurry Hither:Here Hither:Here Mark:Notice Mark:Notice Marry:A short form of “By the Virgin Mary”, a mild exclamation Marry:A short form of “By the Virgin Mary”, a mild exclamation PritheePray thee, please PritheePray thee, please Save:Except Save:Except Soft:Wait a minute Soft:Wait a minute Thither:There Thither:There Wherefore:Why Wherefore:Why WhitherWhen WhitherWhen Withal:Also Withal:Also

Open ceiling Open ceiling No artificial lighting No artificial lighting Plays were shown during daylight hours only Plays were shown during daylight hours only Three stories high Three stories high Could seat 3000 people Could seat 3000 people The Globe Theatre

Spectators Wealthy people got to sit in the balcony Wealthy people got to sit in the balcony The poor (called “groundlings”) had to stand and watch from the courtyard The poor (called “groundlings”) had to stand and watch from the courtyard There was much more audience participation than today There was much more audience participation than today

Actors Only men and boys Only men and boys Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women’s roles Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women’s roles It would have been indecent for a woman to appear on stage It would have been indecent for a woman to appear on stage

Julius Caesar