2. William Shakespeare

3. Life and Times  What we know about Shakespeare comes from church documents and legal records. –Some documents that we have are his baptismal registration, marriage license, and records of real estate transactions.

4. Family  Shakespeare was the 3 rd of eight children  Shakespeare was born April 23, 1564.  Shakespeare was born in Stratford  Shakespeare’s dad was a shoemaker and sometimes served as a justice of the peace

5. Shakespeare’s Life  Shakespeare was an actor  By 1594, he was a founding member of the theatrical company called Lord Chamberlains Men, which was later renamed The King’s Men.  The King’s Men were supported by King James

6. Romeo and Juliet  Romeo and Juliet was among one of the early plays of Shakespeare  R & J was written between 1594 and 1596  By 1612, Shakespeare had written thirty-seven (37) plays.

7. Other Shakespearean Plays  Julius Caesar  Hamlet  Othello  King Lear  Macbeth  Midsummers Night’s Dream  Henry V

8. Death  Shakespeare died April 23, 1616 (52 years later on his birthday)  He was buried under the old stone floor of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.  The following is carved on his tombstone. “Good friend, for Jesus sake forbear To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones And cursed be he that moves my bones”