1. William Shakespeare

2. Info: Born in April of 1564; maybe April 23 rd. Born in April of 1564; maybe April 23 rd. Born in the village Stratford-Upon- Avon. Born in the village Stratford-Upon- Avon. Father was John and mother was Mary Arden. Father was John and mother was Mary Arden. His family was well-off and Shakespeare was educated. His family was well-off and Shakespeare was educated.

3. Info: He married Anne Hathaway when he was 18 and she was 26. He married Anne Hathaway when he was 18 and she was 26. He had 3 children: Susanna and twins Judith and Hamnet. He had 3 children: Susanna and twins Judith and Hamnet. Shakespeare joined Lord Chamberlain's Men, an acting company. Shakespeare joined Lord Chamberlain's Men, an acting company. He also was part owner in the famous Globe Theatre. He also was part owner in the famous Globe Theatre.

4. The Globe Theatre

5. The “Wooden O” This is the theater where Shakespeare’s greatest plays were performed This is the theater where Shakespeare’s greatest plays were performed A more or less circular building 30 feet high and consisting of three tiers of seats for spectators A more or less circular building 30 feet high and consisting of three tiers of seats for spectators A big octagon with no ceiling A big octagon with no ceiling

6. Globe Facts The theatre could seat 1500 but usually 3000 came to the shows The theatre could seat 1500 but usually 3000 came to the shows There was no heat or light. Plays were performed in the summer and during daylight. There was no heat or light. Plays were performed in the summer and during daylight. Minimal props, not elaborate sets. Minimal props, not elaborate sets. Only male actors until 1660. Usually young boys played women’s roles. Only male actors until 1660. Usually young boys played women’s roles. Many Londoners were strict with their morals and did not like the kind of people that plays attracted. Many Londoners were strict with their morals and did not like the kind of people that plays attracted.

7. What would it be like to attend a play at the globe? You may have a seat; however, you may also stand and squeeze into the packed theatre. You may have a seat; however, you may also stand and squeeze into the packed theatre. People arrived early, ate and drank and visited with friends before the start of the play. People arrived early, ate and drank and visited with friends before the start of the play. A trumpet would sound meaning the play was going to start. A trumpet would sound meaning the play was going to start.

8. What would it be like to attend a play at the globe? Many young people would be in attendance. Many young people would be in attendance. There would be no female actresses. There would be no female actresses. If you’re lucky, musicians will be a part of the play. If you’re lucky, musicians will be a part of the play. Groundlings would be crammed into the cheap, standing room only “seats.” Groundlings would be crammed into the cheap, standing room only “seats.”

9. What do we know? We know the things we know about Shakespeare based on documents. We know the things we know about Shakespeare based on documents. For example, in his 30’s, Shakespeare bought a beautiful house. We know this because of the deed. For example, in his 30’s, Shakespeare bought a beautiful house. We know this because of the deed.

10. Why the mysteries? There are many mysteries surrounding Shakespeare, mainly because the only information we have about him comes from documents. There are many mysteries surrounding Shakespeare, mainly because the only information we have about him comes from documents. They didn’t even give birth certificates at the time, only baptism. We can guess he was born on April 23 rd because we KNOW he was baptized on April 26 th. They didn’t even give birth certificates at the time, only baptism. We can guess he was born on April 23 rd because we KNOW he was baptized on April 26 th.

11. Why the mysteries? Based on the records, we can tell when Shakespeare came into money. Based on the records, we can tell when Shakespeare came into money. There are speculations that maybe he didn’t write his plays. There are speculations that maybe he didn’t write his plays. Other possibilities include Christopher Marlowe, a writer, or Sir Francis Bacon. Other possibilities include Christopher Marlowe, a writer, or Sir Francis Bacon.

12. Shakespeare Wrote: Plays: Plays: –38 total (maybe 39) –Histories –Comedies –Tragedies Hamlet is considered a tragedy like Romeo and Juliet. Hamlet is considered a tragedy like Romeo and Juliet. Why would they be tragedies? Why would they be tragedies? Sonnets: Sonnets: –He wrote 154. –There are 3 sections: (possibly about these people) His friend “The Young Man” A rival poet His mistress “The Dark Lady”

13. Sonnets Comes from the Italian word “sonetto” which means “little sound.” Comes from the Italian word “sonetto” which means “little sound.” Uses iambic pentameter. Uses iambic pentameter. –Uses 5 sections or feet of the weakSTRONG pattern. Like this: /weakSTRONG/weakSTRONG/weakSTRONG/weakSTRONG/w eakSTRONG/

14. Sonnets Sonnets have 4 parts: Sonnets have 4 parts: –The first three sections are 4 lines each and called a quatrain. (Rhymed ABAB) –The fourth section has two lines and is called a couplet. (Rhymed CC) –Sonnets are always 14 line poems.