1. Introduction to Shakespeare

2. William Shakespeare
What we know about Shakespeare comes from church documents and legal records.
Some documents that we have are baptismal registration, marriage license, and records of real estate transactions.

3. Family Shakespeare was the 3rd of eight children
Shakespeare was born April 23, 1564.
Shakespeare was born in Stratford
Shakespeare’s dad was a shoemaker and sometimes served as a justice of the peace

4. Shakespeare’s Life Shakespeare was an actor
By 1594, he was a charter member of the theatrical company called Lord Chamberlains Men, which later become The Kings Men.
The Kings Men were supported by King James

5. Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet was among the early plays of Shakespeare
This play was written between 1594 and 1596
By 1612 Shakespeare had written thirty-seven (37) plays.

6. Other Plays Julius Caesar Hamlet Othello King Lear Macbeth
Midsummers Night’s Dream
Henry V

7. Death Shakespeare died April 23, 1616 (52 years later on his birthday)
He is buried under the old stone floor of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.
The following is carved on his tombstone.
“Good friend, for Jesus sake forbear
To dig the dust enclosed here.
Blessed be the man that spares these stones
And cursed be he that moves my bones”

8. Types of Plays Shakespeare wrote:
Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy ending
Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings
Histories – involve events or persons from history

9. Shakespeares Theater
James Burbage built the first permanent theater in England.
Acting companies played where they could find a spot.
Usually this would be in the courtyards of inns
Shakespeare built the GLOBE Theater

10. The Theatre The Globe Theatre:
In his play Henry V Shakespeare calls his theater the Wooden O
Open ceiling
Three stories high
No artificial lighting
Plays were shown during daylight hours only

11. Spectators Wealthy people got to sit on benches
The poor (called “groundlings”) had to stand and watch from the courtyard
The goundlings would pay a penny into a box.
It is where we get the term “box office”
There was much more audience participation than today

12. Actors
Acting was not considered a respectable profession by the English Puritans
Only men and boys
Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women’s roles
It would have been indecent for a woman to appear on stage
Women did not enter the theater until much later.

13. Romeo and Juliet Considered a tragedy
Tells the story of two teenagers who risk everything for love
Shakespeare is exploring which is stronger: love or hate

14. The Montagues Lord Montague – father of Romeo
Lady Montague – mother of Romeo
Romeo Montague – in love with Juliet
Benvolio – nephew of Montague and friend of Romeo
Balthasar – servant to Romeo
Abram – servant to Montague

15. The Capulets Lord Capulet – father of Juliet
Lady Capulet – mother of Juliet
Juliet Capulet – in love with Romeo
Tybalt – nephew of Lady Capulet
Nurse – takes care of Juliet
Peter – servant to Juliet’s Nurse

16. Other Characters Prince Escalus – ruler of Verona
Mercutio – kinsman of the Prince and friend of Romeo
Friar Laurence – a Franciscan priest
Friar John – another Franciscan priest
Count Paris – a young nobleman

17. Things to think about…
What would you do if your parents did not approve of someone you were dating?
How important is the opinion of your family in decisions that you make?
Does violence solve problems?