Shakespeare’s Life and Times

Born 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon DOB: April 23, 1564 His exact place of birth is unknown because his father owned several properties at the time. Parents: John and Mary Shakespeare **No one knows exactly when and where he was born

Shakespeare’s School It is said that he most likely attended the Stratford grammar school The school is still standing – it is only blocks away from the house Shakespeare was supposedly born. During 1553, the school’s name was changed to the King’s New School of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Shakespeare’s Education As was the case in all Elizabethan grammar schools, Latin was the primary language of learning. Although Shakespeare likely had some lessons in English, Latin composition and the study of Latin authors like Seneca, Cicero, Ovid, Virgil, and Horace would have been the focus of his literary training

Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 Their marriage was hurried and a bit “irregular”—Anne may have been pregnant. (Their daughter, Susanna, was born only 6 months after the wedding.) They also had twins, Hamlet and Judith, in 1585.

Lost years? Between 1585 and 1592, we know little of Shakespeare’s life. It is said that he spent this time perfecting his craft. In 1592, he surfaces in London as an actor and playwright. He is 28 years old.

Playwright and Poet 10 tragedies—including Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, and Romeo and Juliet 13 comedies—including Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice 10 histories—including Henry V, Richard II, Henry VIII 4 romances—Winter’s Tale, The Tempest, Cymbeline, Pericles He wrote a group of 154 sonnets As well as several narrative poems: The Rape of Lucrece—1594 Venus and Adonis—1593 The Phoenix and the Turtle A Lover’s Complaint

Shakespeare as an Actor Tradition holds that he performed the Ghost in Hamlet and the French King in Henry V.

The Plague Between 1592 and 1594, the theatres in London were closed because of an outbreak of the plague.

Shakespeare’s Return When they reopened, we find Shakespeare a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, but we do not know how he got there. Queen Elizabeth I

King’s Men In 1603, upon the accession of King James I, Shakespeare’s company came under the patronage of the new King, and thereafter was known as the King’s Men They were the premiere acting company of the day

Shakespeare’s plays were performed: At the Globe At the “Private” theatres like the Blackfriars At court

The Globe Shakespeare’s company built their own theatre in 1599 outside of the London district The theatres were placed outside the jurisdiction of the city so they could avoid censorship. They were also located to attract visitors, travelers, and certain sorts of clientele.

Public Theatres The Globe, the Swan, the Rose, and the Theatre were “public,” outdoor theatres. They were round or hexagonal, with a stage that thrust out into the center with seating and standing room all around.

Examples:

Shakespeare’s Retirement and Death We are not sure exactly when Shakespeare left London and retired from the stage, but probably sometime around 1612 or 13. He was probably still collaborating with younger playwrights, such as John Fletcher, who replaced him as the leading playwright for the King’s Men.

Shakespeare died on his birthday, April 23, in 1616 "Good Friends, for Jesus' sake forbear, To dig the bones enclosed here! Blest be the man that spares these stones, And curst be he that moves my bones."