1. William Shakespeare

2. Early Life 1564-1616 Studied at “grammar schools” in Stratford
Married in 1582
Anne Hathaway
Had 3 children
Susanna
Judith and Hamnet (twins)
Moved to London prior to 1590

3. No records indicate any of that information….
They all have been destroyed
Have to make our best judgments
It has been accepted but cannot be proven

4. The Famed Shakespeare By 1594, successful actor, writer and poet
Was with the company Lord Chamberlain’s Men
Later King’s Men
Preformed for all kinds of courts
Queen Elizabeth and King James
Nobles and Dignitaries
1599 King’s Men built the Globe Theater
For 9 years, the company only preformed at the Globe
Burned in1613
Wrote fewer plays after 1608
Returned to Stratford for last 3 years of his life

5. Major Influences to His Writing
The Black Plague
Allowed him to publish poetry
Playhouses were closed
References to death by disease
Education?
References to grammar school texts and experiences
Marriage and Children

6. William Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet

7. Essential Information
Author: William Shakespeare
Genre: Tragedy
Written: mid- 1590s
Setting: Verona and Mantua (N. Italy)
Takes place during 14th/15th centuries

8. Characters Capulets Montagues Friar Laurence Mercrutio
Hate the Montagues
Juliet
13 years old
To marry Paris (according to her mother)
Capulet/Lady Capulet
Tybalt
The Nurse
Montagues
Hate the Capulets
Romeo
16/17 years old
Montague/Lady Montague
Benvolio
Friar Laurence
Mercrutio

9. Key Focus Points Blood-feuding Violence Love Elements of Literature
Foreshadowing
Tension
Tone

10. How to read Shakespeare
“Language is old/doesn’t make sense”
It was out of date when he wrote it!
He wrote intentionally in an older version of English
Puzzle
Solve the words you don’t know by continuing on
If a word stumps you, see if you can figure it out with what comes afterwards
Supposed to be read OUT LOUD