1. “He was not for an age, but for all time” William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

2. The Stratford Years Born in Stratford-on-Avon on April 23, 1564 Schooled in Latin, the Bible, and English composition Married Anne Hathaway (aged 26) when he was 18 They had three children: Susanna, and twins Judith and Hamnet –Hamnet died when he was eleven

3. The move to London Introduced to plays while living in Stratford Moved in 1587? We know he was there by 1592 Well-known in London -Richard Burbage and Will Kemp

4. The Plays– 36 total Three categories: –Histories: Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI, Richard III– all about kings of England –Comedies: Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, Taming of the Shrew, As You Like It– mistaken identity, end in marriage –Tragedies: Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Ceasar, King Lear, Hamlet, Othello– tragic endings, but also considered his masterpieces

5. Renaissance Theatre Drama began in churches, but then became something of the secular world. The Globe: Shakespeare’s theater (“This Wooden ‘O’”) Expanding the imagination Drama outside the theaters

6. Hamlet– Shakespeare’s Masterpiece First appeared in 1602 The protagonist is a young man, home from his studies at the University at Wittenburg.

7. Some things you need to know… Hamlet is a tragic character. Is Hamlet insane or is he just pretending to be? Themes: –Insanity and intellect –Honor and loyalty –Fate and destiny –The supernatural

8. Terms you need to know… Primogeniture: order that the throne is passed by way of king (appointed by God) to the firstborn son in the family Regicide: murder of a king or ruler

9. Stage Directions –Advances: moves forward; moves against another –Alarum: loud, frantic, or excited activity; clamor. The sounds of war or warlike activity. The movement of soldiers across stage. –Aside: A piece of dialogue intended for the audience and supposedly not heard by the other actors onstage –Attended: To be accompanied or waited upon as by a companion or servant. –Beneath: In a lower place; below. Underneath the stage. –Draws: Pulls out a weapon for use –Exeunt: Two or more performers leave the stage –Flourish/Sennet: A fanfare (of horns, trumpets, etc.) to announce the entrance or exit of a person of distinction. –Retires/Withdraws: Seeks seclusion; moves back or away without actually exiting the stage; recedes –Within: An inner position, place, or area close to, but not actually on, the stage