1. William Shakespeare

2. His Birth Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon- Avon on April 26, 1564. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon- Avon on April 26, 1564. Often called England’s national poet, “The Bard of Avon,” or simply “The Bard” Often called England’s national poet, “The Bard of Avon,” or simply “The Bard” Responsible for 38 plays and 154 sonnets (that we know of) Responsible for 38 plays and 154 sonnets (that we know of) At 18, he married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway, who bore him three children. At 18, he married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway, who bore him three children.

3. Portrait and Coat of Arms

4. “The Lost Years” Not much is known about Shakespeare between 1585 and 1592, giving this time period the name of “the lost years.” Not much is known about Shakespeare between 1585 and 1592, giving this time period the name of “the lost years.” However, in 1592, he was well known enough on the London stage to be criticized by the playwright Robert Greene. However, in 1592, he was well known enough on the London stage to be criticized by the playwright Robert Greene. Greene’s criticism was the first mention of Shakespeare’s name in the arena of theater. Greene’s criticism was the first mention of Shakespeare’s name in the arena of theater.

5. The Beginning Most Shakespearean scholars assume his career began anywhere from the mid-1580s to right before Greene’s remarks. Most Shakespearean scholars assume his career began anywhere from the mid-1580s to right before Greene’s remarks. From 1594 on, his plays were performed by his own troupe, the Lord Chamberlain’s men. From 1594 on, his plays were performed by his own troupe, the Lord Chamberlain’s men.

6. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men Originally patronized by Queen Elizabeth, the LCM changed their name in 1603 to the King’s Men when James I ascended to the throne and continued to support them. Originally patronized by Queen Elizabeth, the LCM changed their name in 1603 to the King’s Men when James I ascended to the throne and continued to support them. In 1599, the LCM built Shakespeare’s theater, The Globe. In 1599, the LCM built Shakespeare’s theater, The Globe. The original Globe was destroyed by a fire in 1613; it was rebuilt in 1614 and closed again in 1642. The original Globe was destroyed by a fire in 1613; it was rebuilt in 1614 and closed again in 1642.

7. The Globe

8. The Globe was set up in a familiar style: balconies around the stage for wealthy members of society, a small landing behind the stage as well (for the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet), and a door behind the stage to keep costumes and props. The Globe was set up in a familiar style: balconies around the stage for wealthy members of society, a small landing behind the stage as well (for the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet), and a door behind the stage to keep costumes and props. The wide-open portion in front of the stage with no seats was called the pit; the poor individuals who stood in this section during the play were referred to as “groundlings.” The wide-open portion in front of the stage with no seats was called the pit; the poor individuals who stood in this section during the play were referred to as “groundlings.”

9. The Globe

10. Hamlet Shakespeare wrote Hamlet between 1599 and 1601. Shakespeare wrote Hamlet between 1599 and 1601. The play is set in Denmark and recounts how Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, exacts revenge on his uncle Claudius for killing his father with poison and marrying his mother. The play is set in Denmark and recounts how Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, exacts revenge on his uncle Claudius for killing his father with poison and marrying his mother.

11. Hamlet Three different versions of Hamlet have survived: the First Quarto (Q1), Second Quarto (Q2), and First Folio (F1) versions. All have lines or scenes missing from the others. Three different versions of Hamlet have survived: the First Quarto (Q1), Second Quarto (Q2), and First Folio (F1) versions. All have lines or scenes missing from the others. Shakespeare most likely based Hamlet on the story of Amleth, a legend from Anglo- Saxon literature. Shakespeare most likely based Hamlet on the story of Amleth, a legend from Anglo- Saxon literature.

12. Themes Nation as a Diseased Body-Notice that the health of Denmark is constantly referred to Nation as a Diseased Body-Notice that the health of Denmark is constantly referred to The Mystery of Death and the Nature of Suicide-Relates both to the death of Hamlet’s father and to Ophelia and Hamlet The Mystery of Death and the Nature of Suicide-Relates both to the death of Hamlet’s father and to Ophelia and Hamlet The Uncertainty of Life The Uncertainty of Life The Importance of Religion The Importance of Religion