1. William Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Era
An Introduction

2. The Elizabethan Era Named for Queen Elizabeth, the “Virgin Queen”
Elizabeth became Queen at age 25; took over for her sister Mary after Mary’s death
She never married
Reigned as England’s sole Monarch for 45 years
Had a reputation as a fair, wise, virtuous, “otherworldly” Queen

3. The Elizabethan Era cont’d
The “golden” age of England’s history
High point of the European Renaissance
Age of exploration and expansion of English territory and influence
Protestant Reformation took hold in England
Science, technology, art all flourished
Prosperity and peace were the trends

4. The Life of William Shakespeare
Father John was a glover and tanner (of leather)
W.S. grew up in a family that saw its share of hard times—deep in debt, no coat of arms
Date of birth is not known—only baptism record was kept (April 26, 1564)
He had several siblings, but all died young
W.S. was lucky to live—he was a child during harsh plague years

5. The Life of W.S. cont’d Attended grammar school in Stratford-on- Avon
Not much is known about his teen years…he may have served as an apprentice to his father, or may have studied law
One thing’s for sure: at age 18, he married a woman named Anne Hathaway, who was eight years his senior

6. W.S.’ Interesting Marriage
When William and Anne were married, Anne was three months’ pregnant with W.’s child
Susanna was born in 1583, and twins (Hamnet and Judith) arrived in 1585
Hamnet died of an unknown cause at age 11
Shakespeare left his wife and children in approximately 1585 for London…

7. W.S.’ Interesting Career
It is assumed that Shakespeare abandoned his family to try his luck at acting and writing in London, the center of artistic life in England
“The Lost Years” ( ): that time period at the beginning of W.S.’ life in London
No one knows for sure what he was doing, but it is assumed that he acted and wrote sonnets and plays while trying to establish himself as a respected theater professional

8. W.S.’ Interesting Career cont’d
1592: the first reference to Shakespeare as a known, but not necessarily respected, playwright
1593: S. had written several plays which captured the attention of the Earl of Southampton, who became his “patron”
The Earl became the subject of much of S.’ poetry

9. W.S.: Respect at Last
1594: returned to theater and became a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, an acting troupe which performed for the Queen
S. wrote many plays during his time with the L.C.M.: Romeo and Juliet among them
He wrote the plays, acted in them, had part ownership in the Company, and eventually helped purchase the L.C.M.’s first theater, the Globe

10. W.S.: the Later Years
In 1596, the Shakespeare family finally received their coat of arms
1n 1603, after the death of the Queen, The L.C.M. became the “King’s Men”—the only acting company allowed to perform for the new king James
In his will, W.S. left his wife, Anne, his “second-best bed”
S. retired back to Stratford in the early 1600s. He died April 23,1616, and left his estate to his daughter

11. Fast Facts about W.S. He wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets
He is the most-performed playwright in history
Three types of plays: comedy, tragedy, history
Some assume that others must have written at least a few of the works that are attributed to him

12. The Globe Theater

13. ELIZABETHAN THEATERS EXTERNAL STRUCTURE Circular Open Air
Awning over gallery seating
Seats approximately 2-3 thousand

14. Elizabethan Theater Internal Structure
Wealthy patrons sat on benches in gallery
Common people stood around the stage in the “pit”
They were called groundlings.

15. Internal Structure Stage protruded out into the audience.
Large dressing area behind the stage was called the tiring house
Area above stage called “heaven”
Trap door in stage called “hell”.

16. Internal Structure
gallery
heaven
tiring
house
pit

17. Characteristics of Elizabethan Drama
Sets are not elaborate.
Clothing was fancy Elizabethan period dress.
All male actors.
Did use special effects only sounds, banners, musicians
Plays were typically in early afternoon about 2 p.m.
Flags were raised at the theater on day of play.
Flyers were distributed to advertise play.