Introduction to Shakespeare A Genius from Stratford William Shakespeare 1564-1616 There aren’t any pictures of him just depictions.

William Shakespeare’s childhood Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April of 1564 Parents, John and Mary, were middle-class. John was a glove maker. (left) The Shakespeare gardens in Stratford. (below) Depiction of John and Will making gloves. (bottom left) The front of the Shakespeare house.

William Shakespeare’s childhood (left) King Edward’s Grammar School (right) Depiction of young Elizabethans during a lesson at King Edward’s Attended King Edward’s Grammar School in Stratford right around the corner from his childhood home. Shakespeare left school at 14. He never had any other formal schooling.

William Shakespeare’s family Married Anne Hathaway in 1582. Will was 18. They had three children: Susanna, and twins Judith and Hamnet Sonnet 145 was written to Anne (left) Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Shottery, a town near Stratford. This was her childhood home. (below) The room in the Shakespeare house where little Will was born.

William Shakespeare in London From 1585 to 1592, not much is known about Shakespeare’s life. He had established himself as a writer and actor by age 27. Sometime from age 18 to 28, he traveled to London. His plays demonstrated knowledge of law, politics, history, the Bible and Greek mythology. During the time Will lived in London, it is thought that he probably stayed in taverns and wrote at the bar.

William Shakespeare’s later years Will left London and returned to Stratford in 1610. He was widely known as an accomplished actor and playwright. They lived at what is now called “New Place” in Stratford. He spent his time with his wife Anne and Susanna’s daughter, Elizabeth.

William Shakespeare’s supporter Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled England from 1558 to 1603, was a fan of Will’s plays. The arts flourished under her reign. Catherine of Aragon Anne Boylyn King Henry 8 Mary Tutor Elizabeth A portrait of Queen Elizabeth I after her ascension to the throne in 1558.

Understanding the 1500s Elizabethans = people who lived during the reignof Queen Elizabeth I (1558 to 1603). The thought patterns of Elizabethans are similar to modern ideas, but dissimilar in enough ways that we need to study their beliefs about life…

Elizabethan Chain of Being God Angels Humankind Soul Understanding Reason Sensory Passion Lust Animals Plants Stones The “Free Will line” (This is our ability to make choices.) The “chain of life” stands as one of the most important and long-lasting ideas in the history of humankind. It can still be seen today. This is the “key” to understanding Shakespeare! Draw the chain of being!

The “ECB” – body talk The human form fits into the ECB: Compliment: God Angels Humankind Soul Understanding Reason Sensory Passion Lust Animals Plants Stones The “Will line” The human form fits into the ECB: Compliment: Wisdom comes from brain, not from passion or the lower part of your body. Insult: “By my heal I care not!”

Shakespeare’s tragedies as a form: Tragedy: a play in which there is an ethical violation (“moral law”) Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, Hamlet Character violates the law and becomes isolated from his/her society This disrupts the community’s order (ECB!) Write down the term tragedy!

Understanding Shakespeare’s plays Soliloquy: “to speak alone” The audience can see into a character’s mind Often used in times of great stress Aside: short, quick comment to one’s self Comic relief: characters low on the ECB are used to make audience laugh after stressful scenes Write down Soliloquy and Aside!

Understanding Shakespeare’s plays Prologue: spoken piece before the play Actor who speaks is called the chorus Usually asks audience to forgive or accept the playwright’s “poor efforts.” Summarizes entire play! Epilogue: spoken piece after the play Write down prologue and epilogue

Understanding Shakespeare’s plays

Works Cited Thrasher, Thomas. The Importance of William Shakespeare. San Diego: Lucent Books, 1999