Elizabethan England English 9

The Early Years  Born around 1564  Grew up around Stratford-upon- Avon (S-u-A). 100 miles north of London.  Very little is known about his upbringing.  Came from a working class family.

The Early Years  Father, John, was a successful glove maker and businessman who held several positions in the town’s government.  Because of his family’s status, it is very likely he attended the Stratford Grammar School, where he acquired his knowledge of Latin. There are no real records of this, however.  School normally lasted from 6am – 5pm. Lunch was from 11am- 1pm. 15 minute recess at 3 pm. That’s it!  Did not got to university. Grammar school from ages 7-16 would have given him a good education.

Marriage & Family  In 1582, at age 18, Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway. She is 26, and about 3 months pregnant prior to the wedding.  Together, Billy and Anne have 3 kids: Daughter, Susanna. Born Twins, Hamnet, and Judith. Born Hamnet dies at age 11.

Marriage and Family  Beyond birth dates and names, we don’t know much about his family.  Shakespeare left wife and kids not long after the twins were born for London.  He would visit them, and they him, intermittently.

The Lost Years 1585 – 1594ish  Shakespeare goes missing in the history books during this time.  Some believe he was forced to flee S-u-A as the authorities were pursuing him for illegal deer poaching.

The BIG Time  In 1594, becomes part owner and principle playwright of the acting company Lord Chamberlain’s Men  LCM becomes the main theater group to the royal court and one of the most successful in London.  After Queen Elizabeth I’s death, they are appointed the main theater company for all of London. King James renames them the King’s Men.

The Globe  In 1599, with his wages from the theater group, Shakespeare helps fund the construction of a famous theater house know as “The Globe”  A replica of the theatre stands today.  Located on the Thames River.  Where most of his famous play were performed.

Retirement  Though there was no real retirement during this time, Shakespeare’s writing/performance eventually stopped.  Moves to Stratford and continues to profit from his share from the theater company.  Dies April 23, 1616  His bones are buried at the Holy Trinity Church in S-u-A. It was common at the time to move bodies after death. Shakespeare didn’t want any of that. The epitaph on his grave reads: Bleste be the man that spares these stones, And curst be he that moves my bones

Literary Record  Bill did not consider himself a man of letters. Wrote plays to be performed, and thus, did not bring out editions of his works.  First actual published edition of his work was issued in 1623 by two members of the theater company, John Heminges and Henry Condell.  It contained 36 of the 37 plays attributed to him.  In addition to plays, he wrote 154 sonnets and 3 longer poems.

Types of Plays  Tragedies – dramas based on human suffering. (R&J, Hamlet, Macbeth)  Comedies – dramas that have happy endings (Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming of the Shrew)  Histories – dramas based on the lives of English and Roman royalty (Henry VIII, Richard III, Julius Caesar)

Modern Day Shakespeare Disney’s The Lion King = Hamlet She’s the Man = Twelfth Night 10 Things I Hate about You = Taming of the Shrew West Side Story = Romeo and Juliet

Things we say today because of Shakespeare: Knock, knock – who’s there? Fight fire with fire. Heart of gold. Love is blind. Naked truth Dead as a doornail Green eyed-monster So-so Good riddance. In a pickle. So-so Off with his head Send him packing. Break the ice.

Shakespearean Insults Look closely at the language to understand! KJ8#t=21