1. William Shakespeare

2. William Shakespeare =

12. What Else?
Shakespeare wrote plays to appeal to everyone – the rich, the poor, the educated, and the uneducated
Shakespeare wrote plays and poetry
Many of his sonnets are about people he cared for
He believed that poetry could immortalize his loved ones

13. Plays in Shakespeare’s Time
Lasted 2 ½ hours
No acts or scenes like today’s plays
Scene changes were indicated by a change of actors
No scenery
No actresses – only actors
Trap doors

14. Actors had to be skilled in . . .
Fencing
Tumbling
Dancing
Singing
Speech
Acting

15. The Globe Theater

16. The Globe Theater A round, open-air theater
20 sections with 3 galleries (balconies) each
Could hold up to 3,000 people
Standing room around the stage for “groundlings”
A seat cost a 2-pence (about a ½ day’s wage)
Rich people and poor people could both attend
Plays were performed in the afternoons

17. The Globe Theater The stage extends out into the audience
Canopied roof extends over the stage
Trap door in the canopy = heaven
Trap door in the floor = hell
Balcony
Flag on top to tell when plays were happening
Cannon – starts the fire!

18. Virtual Tour of the Globe Theater