William Shakespeare A Background

Shakespeare’s Life William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564. Many believe, based on this information, that he was born on April 23, though there is no proof. Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 (Quite possibly his birthday!)

Shakespeare’s Life Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in England. At age 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who bore three children: Susanna Hamnet Judith

Shakespeare’s Life Some time between 1585 and 1592, Shakespeare began a successful career as an actor in the acting company Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Lord Chamberlain’s Men was later known as The King’s Men. Shakespeare retired in 1613 to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Shakespeare’s Life During his life, Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets. In his early career, he wrote mostly comedies and histories, while late in his career, he wrote mostly tragedies.

Theater in London During the 1590’s, the theaters faced great opposition by the Puritans. The Puritans wanted to ban theater in London because they felt it conflicted with the religious views of having a “pure life.” Because of the patronage of the Globe Theater, Shakespeare and his company were protected.

Theater in London Theater was very different in Shakespeare’s time. Props were minimal for performances; most of the scenery was portrayed through the writer’s words and the audience’s imagination.

The Globe Theater The Globe Theater was built for the exclusive use of Lord Chamberlain’s Men (The King’s Men). The Globe Theater burned down in 1613 (after Shakespeare’s days in the theater). It was rebuilt in 1614.

The Globe Theater The Globe Theater had a variety of seating for patrons from different socio-economical classes. Lower-class citizens watched from the Pit, or Lawn. Middle- and upper-class citizens watched from two-penny and gentlemen’s rooms (also called Lord’s Rooms) in the Galleries.

The Globe Theater Different flags flew above the theater for different performances. Black flag – Tragedies White flag – Comedies Red flag – Histories

The Globe Theater Though the original Globe Theater no longer exists, there has been a modern Globe Theater built which resembles that which we know about the original.

The Globe Theater

The Globe Theater

The Authorship Question Many scholars have speculated over time that Shakespeare did not write the plays and sonnets, but that they were penned by someone else. Throughout the years, many names have been proposed. The most recent, and most widely accepted possibility, is Edward de Vere.

The Authorship Question Edward de Vere was the 17th Earl of Oxford. He was born in 1550 and died in 1604. Because of the date of his death, and the speculated dates of Shakespeare’s plays, many believe that De Vere could not have been the author.

The Authorship Question There is a plethora of evidence in favor of De Vere’s authorship, despite heavy skepticism. Many of Shakespeare’s plays are set in Italy and describe Italian life, despite the fact that Shakespeare never visited the country. De Vere lived in Venice and spent a year traveling through Italy and France.

The Authorship Question The plays and sonnets all greatly resemble the writings of Edward de Vere. There are also parallels in the dedications of Shakespeare’s plays. Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece were dedicated to Southampton. Shakespeare’s first folio was dedicated to Montgomery and Pembroke.

The Authorship Question Southampton, Montgomery and Pembroke were all Earls who were proposed to marry the daughters of Edward de Vere. Montgomery was married to Susan de Vere and Pembroke was engaged but never married to Bridget de Vere.

The Authorship Question There is also a strong link between Edward de Vere and Shakespeare’s sonnets. The founder of the Shakespearean (English) sonnet form was Henry Howard, the Earl of Surrey. Howard was De Vere’s uncle.

The Authorship Question There also is a basic premise that Shakespeare, not being a member of the upper class, may not have had the education to write his plays and implement the language that he contributed to the English vocabulary. De Vere, being an Earl, would have easily afforded a high quality education. This, however, is all based on speculation.

The Authorship Question There is much more evidence, and in much greater detail to be found. If you are interested in pursuing what is known as the Oxfordian Theory, just Google it and read away, it is quite interesting!