1. Introduction to Shakespeare
A Genius from Stratford
William Shakespeare

2. William Shakespeare’s childhood
Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April of 1564
Parents, John and Mary, were middle-class. John was a glove maker.

3. William Shakespeare’s childhood
Attended King Edward’s Grammar School in Stratford right around the corner from his childhood home.
Shakespeare left school at 14.
He never had any other formal schooling.

4. William Shakespeare’s Stratford
Will is remembered fondly in Stratford. (He is the town’s most significant tourist attraction!)
His work is commemorated with statues in the town’s park on the River Avon.
(above) The River Avon (right) Statue of Hamlet; represents knowledge (far right) Lady Macbeth’s statue symbolizes tragedy; Shakespeare shown in background.

5. William Shakespeare’s family
Married Anne Hathaway in Will was 18.
They had three children: Susanna, and twins Judith and Hamnet
Sonnet 145 was written to Anne

6. William Shakespeare in London
From 1585 to 1592, not much is known about Shakespeare’s life.
He had established himself as a writer and actor by age 27.
Sometime from age 18 to 28, he traveled to London.
His plays demonstrated knowledge of law, politics, history, the Bible and Greek mythology.
During the time Will lived in London, it is thought that he probably stayed in Taverns and wrote at the bar.

7. William Shakespeare’s supporter
Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled England from 1558 to 1603, was a fan of Will’s plays.
The arts flourished under her reign.
Catherine
of Aragon
Anne
Boylyn
King Henry 8
Mary
Tudor
Elizabeth

8. William Shakespeare remembered
London is full of references to Will’s work.
Westminster Abbey has a statue in honor of Shakespeare in a transept called “Poet’s Corner.”
Shakespeare was careful to show respect for Queen Elizabeth – he could be hung for displeasing her!

9. William Shakespeare’s Globe
Shakespeare’s actors (Chamberlain’s Men) needed a better playhouse when their current theatre was in disrepair. All actors were male.
In 1598, The Globe Theatre was built.

10. William Shakespeare’s later years
Will left London and returned to Stratford in 1610.
He was widely known as an accomplished actor and playwright.
They lived at what is now called “New Place” in Stratford.

11. William Shakespeare’s death
Will died in Stratford on April 23, 1616.
This date is celebrated as his birth date as well.
He is buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.
His tombstone reads “Good friend, for Jesus sake forebear to dig the dust enclosed here. Blest be the man who spares these stones and curst be he who moves my bones.”

12. Common values in Shakespeare’s plays
Sin and Salvation
Linked to the Garden of Eden from Christian beliefs
Characters have the natural urge to sin
Since man SINS, he should seek SALVATION
Seeking salvation is important – but one must actually BE SORRY for the wrongful act

13. Common values in Shakespeare’s plays
Guest/Host Relationship
Hospitality was expected
Guests were to respect their hosts
Idea seen as early as Homer’s The Odyssey

14. Common values in Shakespeare’s plays
Shakespeare’s plays passed on the values of the society; they also poked fun at human nature
Enforced the thought that everyone had a role to play in society
Roles must be enforced for the survival of the group
Any upset in the chain and bad things happen!
Illusion vs. Reality
Characters often appear to be something they are not!

15. Shakespeare’s tragedies as a form
Tragedy: a play in which there is a violation of the ethical norm (“moral law”)
Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, Hamlet
Character violates the law and becomes isolated from his/her society
This disrupts the community’s order (ECB!)

16. Understanding Shakespeare’s plays
Soliloquy: “to speak alone”
Must be done so the audience can see into a character’s mind
Often used in times of great stress
Aside: short, quick comment to one’s self
Comic relief: characters low on the ECB are used to make audience laugh after stressful scenes

17. Understanding Shakespeare’s plays
Prologue: spoken piece before the play
Actor who speaks is called the chorus
Usually asks audience to forgive or accept the playwright’s “poor efforts.”
Summarizes entire play!
Epilogue: spoken piece after the play
That’s it! 

18. Family Feud Prince Escalus of Verona Capulet Montague Juliet Romeo
Lord Capulet – father
Lady Capulet – mother
Tybalt –cousin
Nurse – servant/friend
Peter – Nurse’s servant
Sampson & Gregory –
servants
Paris – suitor/relative
of Prince
Montague
Romeo
Lord Montague – father
Lady Montague – mother
Benvolio – cousin/friend
Mercutio – friend
Friar Laurence –
counselor
Abraham & Balthasar –
servants

19. The Chorus -predicts -comments -ties together -summarizes/clarifies
-makes a point

20. A Few Themes The destructiveness of impulsive behavior
The destructiveness of hate
The power of fate
The need for reason and order
The power of love
The ironies of life
Older vs. younger generation

21. Romeo and Juliet Timeline
Sunday: Romeo is depressed, so his friends talk him into going to a party. Late Sunday night, early Monday morning he swears his love to Juliet & they decide to get married.
Monday: The time & place for the wedding is set & they get married. Tybalt kills Mercutio & Romeo kills Tybalt. Romeo is banished. Romeo & Juliet have their wedding night.
Tuesday: The Capulets tell Juliet she must marry Paris. Juliet takes the potion before bed.
Wednesday: Paris finds Juliet “dead.” Juliet’s funeral takes place. Romeo gets word she is dead and kills himself.