1. Part I The Man

2. Think PairShare Why do we study Shakespeare?

3. Why Study Shakespeare? Chances are, you’ve quoted Shakespeare without even knowing it! Have you ever said the following...

4. “in a pickle” “It’s Greek to me.” “Too much of a good thing.”

5. “as luck would have it” “good riddance” “dead as a door-nail” “foul play”

6. “a laughing stock” “an eyesore” “send me packing” “without rhyme or reason”

8. We study Shakespeare because He tells us about human nature. This is probably one of the major reasons why Shakespeare's plays are still watched and studied. If the things he wrote did not focus on the aspects of human nature, we wouldn't be interested in watching the plays any more.

9. We study Shakespeare because He is a brilliant dramatist. Shakespeare might have lots of profound things to say to us, but we wouldn't watch the plays unless they worked as drama. The experience of watching the plays is entertaining and spectacular.

10. We study Shakespeare because He is a great poet. The plays are full of memorable passages of poetry, which along with all Shakespeare's other achievements, contributes to the enduring success of his plays.

11. We study Shakespeare because Much of the modern literary ideas and writings allude to and can be traced back to Shakespeare. Familiarity with his works can only be an advantage to the student.

14. People who have studied Shakespeare: Have a broader view of the world. Appreciate other art forms: music, drama, art, costume, writing. Have an easier time grasping the concepts: character, plot, irony, universal truth, etc. Broader view of important historical events. Have a greater understanding of human nature (greed, faithfulness, love, power, gentleness, poor choices, honesty, integrity, popularity, danger, patriotism, selfishness, self-sacrifice, etc.)

16. Birth Stratford-upon-Avon (about 2 hrs NW of London) Baptized April 26 th 1564 Birthdate is unknown but celebrated April 23 rd 1564 Parents- John (alderman) and Mary (daughter of a farmer) Shakespeare Third child of 8; oldest surviving son

17. Married Life The first official document after his baptism was his marriage license to Anne Hathaway on Nov. 27, 1582. Shakespeare was 18 and Anne was 26 Anne Hathaway was pregnant at the time with their first daughter.

18. Susanna was baptized on May 26, 1583 They had twins in February 2, 1585 (Hamnet and Judith). Hamnet died at age 11 of unknown causes. Sometime between 1585-1592, he moved to London and began working in theatre. Family Life

19. Shakespeare’s Last Days Between 1611-1612, Shakespeare returns to Stratford to his wife and family. Dies April 23, 1616 at the age of 52. His will, which he revised a month before dying, left the bulk of his estate to his oldest daughter, and the bed to his wife.

20. Part II The Writing

22. Works He wrote at least thirty-seven plays and 154 sonnets.

23. In Shakespeare’s time, you only had one copy of a play, and after you wrote it for the acting company, you no longer owned it! Scripts were thrown out when they were no longer wanted or needed. NO copies of Shakespeare’s plays in his own handwriting have survived. The only known evidence of anything in his handwriting is his signature.

24. The Playwright The Globe Theatre is the theatre where Shakespeare wrote most of his plays. He was inspired by other playwrights and their works. He did not get ideas from his personal life or local London material. He wrote easily to please his audience- was intuitively creative and he made his characters real.

25. Love of the Language In Shakespeare’s time, everyone loved the English language. There were no grammar rules, punctuation keys, OR spelling! The language was evolving and everyday new words were being made up. Shakespeare’s language reflects this freedom and experimentation.

27. Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare did NOT write in “Old English.” Old English is the language of Beowulf: Hwaet! We Gardena in geardagum Þeodcyninga Þrym gefrunon Hu ða æÞelingas ellen fremedon! Translate what this says.

28. Translation (Hey! We have heard of the glory of the Spear- Danes in the old days, the kings of tribes, how noble princes showed great courage!)

29. Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare did not write in “Middle English.” Middle English is the language of Chaucer, the Gawain-poet, and Malory: We redeth oft and findeth y-write— And this clerkes wele it wite— Layes that ben in harping Ben y-founde of ferli thing… (Sir Orfeo)

30. Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare wrote in “Early Modern English.”

31. Shakespeare’s Language A mix of old and very new Rural and urban words/images Understandable by the lowest peasant and the highest noble

32. Metaphors: comparing something in terms of something else. Shakespeare’s Style

34. Stages of Life What are the stages that man (ie. Humans) experience throughout the course of their life? Pair up with someone sitting next to you and come up with a list. Be prepared to share with the class.

35. Read “Seven Ages of Man” Read for content – what is the reading about? Circle all new/unfamiliar words. What two things are being compared?

36. Literary Allusions Allusion: a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance.

38. Richard Kindersley's The Seven Ages of Man in London.

39. Located at the west end of the Gail Kern Paster Reading Room, the Seven Ages of Man window is by the Philadelphia stained- glass studio of Nicola d'Ascenzo (1871– 1954).