Elizabethan Age William Shakespeare

Elizabethan Named for Queen Elizabeth I – Rose to power in 1558, ruled for 45 years – London became a cultural mecca under her reign  Lots of violent clashes between Protestant and Catholics  Church attendance was mandatory  Punished with fines  Catholicism was not illegal, but could not practice it publicly

Theatre Theatre thrived under her reign – Famous playwrights Christopher Marlowe (Dr. Faustus) William Shakespeare (38 plays, 154 sonnets, 2 poems) Ben Johnson (Isle of Dogs) Edmund Spenser (Faerie Queen) Professional Theatres built – 15,000 theatre-goers per week

Death of Elizabeth King James I rose to power (also a lover of theatre/arts) Shakespeare changed his theatre company from Lord Chamberlain’s Men to The King’s Men Commissioned the King James bible translation (Latin and English) Surrounded himself with untrustworthy advisors – led to a strain with Parliament Died in 1628, son Charles I became King and tensions increased Civil War with Puritans – Charles I executed and Charles II fled to France\ Theatres closed, highpoint of theatre passed and King Charles II returning could not resurrect it.

Elizabethan Life Boys began school at ages 6-7 Typical school day was from 6am -5pm Discipline was strict – harsh, corporal punishment Latin and Grammar studied from a young age Poetry and Prose at an older age Boys began apprenticeships following grammar school Sons of nobility attended University Formal School not encouraged in women unless noble Skills focused on chastity and housewifery Girls placed in houses to learn to read, write, keep books, manage households, make salves – Leisure skills –singing/dancing

Elizabethan Life…Theatre Theatre was central to social life Attracted criticism, censorship and scorn\ Plays were often boisterous and course – actors/bohemian class Fear of overcrowded theatre/spread of disease Parliament censored plays for profanity, heresy or politics Royals offered protection that helped theatre to survive Theatres started being constructed outside of the city to please Parliament/Puritans – underground theatres popped up

Theatre Life Richard Burbage – best known actor (leading actor for Shakespeare) Shakespeare acted in many of his own plays Women could not be actors Young boys played women Costumes were elaborate (consistent with upper class dress) Sets were minimal – painted panels Audiences large, rowdy and dirty – 3,000 Afternoon performances – 2-3 hours Sections of theatre – different pricing – lowest/closest was cheapest and standing room. Audiences were vocal! Theatre etiquette was not the same!

William Shakespeare Born April 23, 1564 (baptism was proof) Born in Stratford-Upon-Avon Born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden Not born into nobility or wealth, father was a glove maker One of eight children Did not continue formal education at University

William Shakespeare Did not marry in wealth or apprentice with a senior artist His success was based on royal patronage Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 – She was 26 and already pregnant – Daughter Susanna born in 1583 – Twins Hamnet and Judith born in 1585 – Hamnet died in 1596 at age 11 (possibly from plague)

Shakespeare’s Works Lost years – 7 years of incomplete records ( ) – Henry IV, Richard III, Comedy of Errors 1593 – Theatres are closed due to plague – This time led to his two poems Rape of Lucrece and Venus and Adonis and 154 sonnets (speculated)

Shakespeare’s Works Lord Chamberlain’s Men formed (1603 changed to The King’s Men in honor of King James) 1597 – Purchased 2 nd largest home in Stratford, but lived in London King James’ reign – power plays – King Lear, Macbeth, Anthony and Cleopatra 1609 – Sonnets are published Wrote in and established Iambic Pentameter (10 syllables) 38 th play? Two Noble Kinsmen (collaboration with John Fletcher)

Shakespeare’s Death 1616 – Will is revised as his health is declining Left bulk of estate to daughters, sister, theatre partners, friends and poor in Stratford 2 nd best bed to wife Died a month after revision – April Left behind a legacy of 38 plays, 154 sonnets and 2 narrative poems Known as the greatest playwright of the English language

Sonnets 14 lines Iambic Pentameter - Each line has 10 syllables First 12 lines divided into 4’s or Quatrains Each Quatrain has its own rhyme scheme Last 2 lines – Couplet (rhymed pair) Often contains metaphors sonnets – Handsome Nobleman – Dark Lady