1. Shakespeare
His Life and Times

2. Historical Background
Shakespeare grew up during the RENAISSANCE
English renaissance was part of larger European Renaissance, which began in Italy
Italian Renaissance lasted from about 1300 to 1600
English Renaissance came at the end of that (about 1500 to 1600)
Renaissance means “rebirth"
Rebirth of culture, entertainment, science, art, etc…

3. Historical Background
Some key figures of the Renaissance…
Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 – 1519)
Painter, Scientist, Inventor

4. Historical Background
Some key figures of the Renaissance…
Michelangelo (1475 – 1564)
Sculptor, Painter, Architect

5. Historical Background
Some key figures of the Renaissance…
Nicholas Copernicus (1473 – 1543)
Mathematician, Astronomer

6. Historical Background
Some key figures of the Renaissance…
Johannes Kepler (1571 – 1630)
Scientist, Astronomer

7. Shakespeare Biography – Basic Facts
Born in 1564 (probably April 23)
No birth records, but was baptized on April 26
Usually baptism occurred 3 days after birth, so his birth date is assumed to be April 23
Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England

8. Shakespeare Biography – Basic Facts
Father – John Shakespeare
Businessman, local politician, leatherworker
Mother – Mary Arden
Landowner & heiress
Seven brothers and sisters
Shakespeare was the third child
Two of Shakespeare’s siblings did not live to adulthood

9. Shakespeare Biography – Basic Facts
Married to Anne Hathaway – November 28, 1582
Shakespeare was 18
Anne was 26
Shakespeare and Anne had 3 children
First child (Susanna) born May 1583
Twins (Hamnet & Judith) born February 1585
Hamnet (Shakespeare’s only son)
died at the age of 11 ( in 1596)

10. Shakespeare Biography – Basic Facts
Moved to London between 1601 & 1604
Anne Hathaway stayed in Stratford-upon-Avon
Wrote 37 Plays & 154 Sonnets
There is controversy surrounding whether or not he actually wrote the works attributed to him

11. Shakespeare Biography – Basic Facts
Died in 1616 (on April 23)
Cause of death is unknown
Believed to have died of a fever
Buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford, England