1. “Shakespeare” (1564 - 1616)

2. Study Questions 1.Make notes about Shakespeare’s life: DATES AND PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH He was born on April 23 rd, 1564 at Stratford upon Avon FAMILY His father belonged to the corporation of glovers and his mother came of a country family of some importance EDUCATION He probably attended Strafford’s grammar school where he studied Greek, Latin and rhetoric MARITAL STATUS At eighteen he married Anne Hathaway and had three children PLACE OF WORK Probably due to his large family he moved to London to work for the theatre and by 1592 he was already active as an actor and playwright. He became a member and a sharer of the “Lord Chamberlain’s Men” and became the most successful playwright of his time. He also became co-owner of the Globe Theatre in 1599, when the theatre opened. In his later years he retired to Stratford where he bought several properties.

3. Study Questions 2.List the main non-dramatic works – “Venus and Adonis” (1593) and the Rape of Lucrece (1594) and the sonnets. 3.As a lyrical poet, what is Shakespeare’s fame based on? – It is based on his sonnets. 4.Name at least one of his companies of players. – The “Lord Chamberlain’s Men” which on the accession of James I took the name of “King’s Men” 5.What London theatre is Shakespeare associated with? – The Globe Theatre, an open air public theatre situated on the south bank of the river Thames, of which Shakespeare wasa sharer. Many of his plays were first performed there.