William Shakeapeare’s Life and Times

Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon Son of John & Mary Arden Similar to the home young Shakespeare may have grown up in.

William Shakespeare Grammar School 1583 Married Anne Hathaway Susanna, Hamnet, Judith Seven Dark Years

Shakespeare’s London

London in 1600’s: Slightly unpleasant Homes of the poor were small, dirty and prone to fire Sewage ran in open ditches in the streets Syphilis, smallpox, and the Black Death Overcrowding-London’s population boomed 400% from 1500-1600

London Bridge Heads of traitors were displayed on pikes on the city’s main bridge.

On the other hand. . .

England’s Golden Age Elizabeth I was one of the most popular and long-reigning monarchs in English history—her curly red hair and shrewd political mind are well-known to us through books, movies, and legends. In 1588, England defeated the Spanish Armada Taking its name from this sovereign figure, Elizabethan England was a time of great literary and artistic flowering, royal turmoil, and general domestic tranquility.

Shakespeare in London 1580s: Dramatists like Christopher Marlowe (the “University Men”) took English theater to a new level By 1592, Shakespeare had made enough of a splash that a contemporary complained that he was “an upstart crow, beautifying himself with our feathers.”

The New Globe

The Globe Located on the south bank of the Thames The most famous London Playhouse Owned by the Burbage family Flew a flag to announce a performance Acting companies used boys to play female roles. Shakespeare was a member of Lord Chamberlain’s Company. Later called the King’s Men.

The wealthy’s view of the stage

“The Heavens” as seen by the groundlings

Objections to Theaters Large assemblies of people Spread diseases Guilt by association Theaters were often located outside the city walls to avoid censor by London’s Lord Mayor.

Shakespeare earned enough from the theater to become relatively wealthy—not an easy feat. Bought a title for his father and one of the largest homes in Stratford Retired to Stratford around 1611. Left his property to his daughters. To his wife, his “second best bed.”

Seven years after his death, several fellow colleagues collected his plays into the First Folio Ben Johnson: “He was not for an age, but for all time.”

Shakespeare: Why so popular?

Romeo and Juliet: Archetypal lovers Written in 1599 Celebrates the passion of youthful love Dates back to 400 AD in a Greek Romance Feud--a prolonged conflict between families. The feud is so old that the cause has been forgotten.

Star Crossed Lovers Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy. In a tragedy many of the main characters die.

Motifs to watch for: Light v. dark Youth v. age Earthy v. idealized ideas of love Time Fate Antithesis-the juxtaposition (positioning side by side) of two opposite elements

Cultural Context: Cultural context: Upper class v. lower class Cultural context: women v. men

The End