Learning About William Shakespeare!

Shakespeare Is Born! Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. He was born in 1564- no one is sure of the date Traditionally his birthday is celebrated on April 23

Wedding Bells Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in 1582 She was eight years older Their first child was Susanna They then had twins, Hamnet and Judith

The “Upstart Crow” Little is known about Shakespeare’s life until 1592 when a jealous playwright refers to him as an “upstart crow.”

Shakespeare, the Playwright By 1592, Shakespeare was becoming established in the London theatre scene

Shakespeare’s Theatre The Globe The year is 1598 If you’re a groundling you pay 1 pence to stand on the floor in front of the stage Only the rich can afford to buy a seat

The Tragedies A protagonist falls from grace and dies along with most of the rest of the cast. A drama with an unhappy ending Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Othello, King Lear

Romeo and Juliet Two “star-crossed” lovers forbidden by their families to be together “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore are thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name! “

Macbeth Macbeth receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become King. He and his wife do everything in their power to make the vision come true. “Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”

Hamlet Hamlet is called home from school for his father’s funeral. Soon after his mother marries his uncle. His father’s ghost returns to inform Hamlet that he was murdered by the uncle, Claudius. “To be or not to be…” “Neither a borrower or a lender be”

The Comedies Has a happy ending, usually involving the marriage of any single characters The “lovers” are usually separated and then reunited.

Much Ado About Nothing First performed in 1598 or 1599 Follows the romance of Claudio and Hero who are kept apart by the evil Don John. Beatrice and Benedick (see picture) have a love-hate relationship that ends in marriage.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream First performed between 1594 and 1596 Fairies, magic, and mistaken identities. Many “happily ever after” marriages in the end.

Shakespeare’s Death Shakespeare died on April 23 and was buried on April 25 in Stratford-upon- Avon In his will he left his wife his “second best bed.”