5. London in Shakespeare’s Time
About half a million people lived in Shakespeare’s London. So many people came to London, that the City’s narrow streets were often clogged with carriages and refuse.
London, as seen today from across the River Thames

6. Shift to Poetry
In 1593, the theatres were shut due to an outbreak of Bubonic Plague.
During this time, Shakespeare shifted to writing poetry.
Wrote 154 sonnets
Wrote longer poems, “The Rape of Lucrece” and “Venus and Adonis.”

7. Built in 1599, the Globe was the primary home for Shakespeare’s acting company. The theatre was built in an area known as Southwark, outside of London proper, on the bank of the River Thames. Southwark was known for its gambling and houses of prostitution.
The Globe Theatre

8. They were close to the action on the stage.
The cheapest seats were not actually seats, but standing room for a penny. The patrons who stood close to the stage were called “Groundlings.”
They were close to the action on the stage.
No toilets and the floor they stood on was likely covered with ash, sand, and nutshells.
The Groundlings
Showtime began at 2 p.m. Why do you think performances began at this time?

9. Trouble in the Audience!
If the play was boring, audience members would throw rotten eggs or vegetables at the stage and actors.
They would also talk loudly to their friends, played cards, and even picked fights with each other.
One theatre (not the Globe) was set on fire by an audience member who didn’t like the play.
How does this compare to audiences at the theatre today?

10. His Work Tragedies Comedies As You Like It Taming of the Shrew
Measure for Measure
Twelfth Night
Tragedies
Julius Ceaser
Romeo and Juliet
Macbeth (The Scottish Play)
Othello
Hamlet
King Lear
Histories
King Henry V
Richard II
Richard III

11. Women’s Costumes
Women’s costumes were usually ordinary clothes that reflected the social status of the character the actor was portraying.
The male actors also wore wigs, which, by their color and styles showed the age and status of the character.
Costumes pictured are replicas created by the new Globe Theatre in London and used in their performances.

12. Shakespeare’s Legacy
Shakespeare’s legacy can still be seen in signs around Stratford-Upon Avon today.

13. Shakespeare´s legacy- vocabulary
Gloomy
Swagger
Birthplace
Laughable
Fashionable
Torture
Champion
Luggage
Bedroom
Green-eyed
Gossip
Shakespeare´s legacy- vocabulary

14. Shakespeare´s legacy-inspiration
Shakespeare didn´t write his own stories, he borrowed them from old folklore and history.
However, his writing has inspired many other artists to re-interpret his stories.
Shakespeare´s legacy-inspiration

15. Shakespeare was probably born on April 23rd
Shakespeare was probably born on April 23rd. However, as Shakespeare was born under the old Julian calendar, what was April 23rd during Shakespeare’s life would actually be May 3rd according to today’s Gregorian calendar.
Shakespeare facts

16. 2. Shakespeare had seven siblings
Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway had three children together – a son, Hamnet, who died in 1596, and two daughters, Susanna and Judith. His only granddaughter Elizabeth – daughter of Susanna – died childless in Shakespeare therefore has no descendants.

17. Shakespeare spelt his name “Willm Shaksp,” “William Shakespe,” “Wm Shakspe,” “William Shakspere,” ”Willm Shakspere,” and “William Shakspeare”. There are over 80 variations but no records of him ever having spelt it “William Shakespeare”, as we know him today.

18. Much Ado About Nothing Written around 1598.
This play was written in the middle of Shakespeare´s writing life.
The play is about a young woman wrongly accused of sleeping around who is later reconciled with her accusing lover.
It is also about a second couple—two witty, bright individuals who swear they will never fall in love.
Seen as one of Shakespeare´s best comedies because it is very funny but also deals with serious themes such as love, the court, pride and shame.

19. Much Ado About Nothing is set in Sicily, in the port of Messina.
At the time, Sicily was part of Aragon.
Leonato is the Governor of Messina.
Most of the action takes place at the home on Leonato´s estate.
Setting

20. “I can see he's not in your good books,' said the messenger
“I can see he's not in your good books,' said the messenger. 'No, and if he were I would burn my library.”
“Why, what's the matter, That you have such a February face, So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?” 

21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGlm hwa0zjw