1. William Shakespeare
Playwright, dramatist, poet, actor

2. About Shakespeare Born April 23, 1564 Died April 23, 1616
*52 years to the date
Hometown: Stratford

3. History
Obscure background because not many biographies were written about playwrights
This lack of information leads some to think Shakespeare is a pen name for other famous authors

4. Family
Married Anne Hathaway 3 children: Susanna, and twins, Hamnet and Judith (named for two friends) Susanna married and had one daughter, Elizabeth. Hamnet died from the Bubonic Plague when he was 11. Judith had a very difficult life with her marriages.

5. History
Well educated
Joined the Lord Chamberlain’s Company in 1595 (later called the King’s Men)

6. History
Performed the duties of actor, writer, and shareholder for the King’s Men
King’s Men owned the Theatre (first for staging plays)

7. The Theatre
Combined features of the Greek amphitheatre, medieval pageant wagon, and Elizabethan inn
This design gave English drama intimacy and flexibility

8. More about the Theatre
It was illegal for women to act on stage. Playwrights would watch other plays and steal plot ideas while attending the theatre. The theatre was the most expensive form of entertainment at the time.

9. The Globe
From the remains of the Theatre, Shakespeare’s company constructed the Globe theatre
His greatest plays were performed at the Globe
The Globe burned 2 times.

10. Two Parts of His Career
First Half = mostly history plays; average of two a year
Romeo and Juliet; Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar

11. Two Parts of His Career
Second Half = tragedies, romantic comedies, romances
Hamlet, As You Like It, The Tempest
Macbeth first performed in 1607
He wrote about 37 plays

12. Best Known for
Tragedies, Comedies, and Sonnets

13. His Poetry
In 1593 and 1594 the theatres were closed because of the bubonic plague
During this time, Shakespeare wrote many of his poems

14. Some Thoughts
Carefully preserved his poems, but not necessarily his plays
Plays not intended to be closely studied, but just for entertainment

15. Some Thoughts Not just an entertainer
Shakespeare taught many biblical principles in his plays and poems
May have even been a Christian