2. The Life and Times Of… William Shakespeare

3.  Born April 23, 1564  Died April 23, 1616  Birthplace—Stratford- upon-Avon, England  Parents—John & Mary  Wife—Anne Hathaway- married her in 1582 at age 18  Children—Three

4. Who was Shakespeare?  Probably the world’s greatest playwright.  A writing genius because of his skill with words.  He lived in the days of Queen Elizabeth—the Elizabethan period in English history.  His plays were very popular at that time.  His sense of drama pleased his audiences.  The English language and the English theater have never been the same since Shakespeare.

5. His Dramatic Career Four Periods  First Period (1590-1594) beginning works.  Second Period (1595-1600) historical plays & romantic comedy  Third Period (1601-1608) Shakespeare’s tragedies (Macbeth)  Fourth Period (1609-1613) Shakespeare’s final works

6. As a Poet… The Bard wrote his poems during 1592-1594, during London’s plague.  “Venus and Adonis”—a romantic poem  “Rape of Lucrece”—a narrative poem  “Phoenix and the Turtle”—honoring Sir John Salisbury  Sonnets—mostly dedicated to his patron, The Earl of Southampton

7. As a Playwright… Today Shakespeare is known as the world’s greatest playwright.  Wrote at least 37 plays.  He got his ideas from other plays—rather than from personal or local London material.  His plays were written for his company—the “King’s Men”—who paid him about 8 pounds per play ($40).  These plays were not published until 7 years after he died.

8. As an Actor…  Became a famous actor for 20 years from 1585-1605.  Member/part owner of a repertory group called the King’s Men (formerly Chamberlain’s Men).  Made most of his money as an actor and producer, not as a playwright.  Note: during the plagues of London, this group traveled around the country and on the continent to act.

9. Shakespeare’s Death He died young—on his 52 nd birthday. William Shakespeare was buried at Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon as an honored citizen. On his tombstone is carved a rather wry inscription: 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.

10. Literary Devices  He chiefly used an unrhymed, rhythmical form of poetry called blank verse.  Two common conventions that audiences expected were soliloquies and asides.  Shakespeare changed words, invented words, and borrowed words from other languages. He even used nouns as verbs for dramatic effect.

11. Literary Devices Cont’d  Shakespeare also used rhetoric, special literary devices that present a fact or idea in a dramatic and interesting way. Two examples are alliteration and repetition.  Shakespeare often used metaphors and puns.  The richness and precision of Shakespeare’s imagery give his writing its unique style.

12. Literary Devices Cont’d  Verse form. He composed his plays largely in blank verse, lines of unrhymed iambic pentameter. Ĭn sóoth,/Ĭ knów/nŏt whý/Ĭ ám/sŏ sád. Ĭt wéa/riĕs mé;/yŏu sáy/ĭt wéa/riĕs yóu....

13. How‘good’are you notes? 1.What is Shakespeare’s birthplace? 2.Shakespeare is best known for what? 3.During Shakespeare’s career, when did he pen Macbeth? 4.Why is Shakespeare known as the Bard? 5.During what historical event did Shakespeare’s poetry become popular?

14. 6. How old was Shakespeare at his death? 7.How many plays did Shakespeare write, and how did he get inspired? 8.Identify some ways that Shakespeare used, and manipulated literary devices.

16. Check your answers… 1.Stratford-upon-Avon, England 2.His skill with words; Living during Elizabethan period; Creating popular plays and dramas 3. Third Period, (1601-1608); Shakespeare’s tragedies (Macbeth) 4. He was beloved by fans & peers; they gave him this title 5. The plague (1388); darkest time in London

17. 6. 52 (Born-1564 & Died 1616) 7. Wrote at least 37 plays; He got his ideas from other plays—rather than from personal or local London material. 8. Shakespeare used blank verse, soliloquies and asides; and he changed words, invented words, and borrowed from other languages; and used nouns as verbs; rhetoric, imagery, alliteration, repetition, metaphor and pun