1. William Shakespeare Birth date assumed to be April 23, 1564
Records of births and marriages kept only by the church at this time
Born in Stratford-upon-Avon

2. Shakespeare Parents were well-to-do
Father was important in community. He was a high baliff (like a mayor).
Shakespeare married Ann Hathaway: He was 18; she was 26. They had 3 children.

3. Shakespeare
Began writing plays but wrote poetry when the Bubonic plague hit from
When plague ended he formed the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (London’s acting company)

4. Queen Elizabeth placed his company under her protection
Queen Elizabeth placed his company under her protection. Puritans were trying to
shut it down.
King James I continued
protection, but the
company’s name was
changed to The King’s
Men.

5. His theater was called THE GLOBE-half of the roof was covered.

6. All kinds of theater goers: rich and poor
Groundlings were poor people who sat on the ground—threw fruit at the actors if they got bored.
Actors were men only
In 1613 it burned down
by a spark set from a
cannon used in a play.