A Midsummer Night’s Dream By William Shakespeare

Before We Read The Play… We need to learn about Shakespeare’s time, the Elizabethan Era.

Meet the Elizabethans Are they all named Elizabeth?

Named After Elizabeth I Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603 Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603 Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn Daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn Protestant Queen Protestant Queen Longest reigning English monarch in two centuries Longest reigning English monarch in two centuries Called Glorianna and Good Queen Bess Called Glorianna and Good Queen Bess Defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588 Defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588

Who is Bloody Mary’s father? Henry VIII was Bloody Mary’s father Henry VIII was Bloody Mary’s father Had 6 wives Had 6 wives Often executed his wives when he did not want to be married to them anymore Often executed his wives when he did not want to be married to them anymore Her mother was Catherine of Aragon Her mother was Catherine of Aragon Catholic Catholic She is Elizabeth’s half- sister She is Elizabeth’s half- sister She inherited the crown in She inherited the crown in Her cousin was Mary Queen of Scots Her cousin was Mary Queen of Scots Beheaded by Elizabeth for helping in plots to dethrone Elizabeth Mother of Elizabeth’s successor, James I

In what year did England and Spain fight a famous sea battle? The British Navy defeated the mighty Spanish Armada in The British Navy defeated the mighty Spanish Armada in Main causes of the battle included religious differences and English attacks on Spanish shipping. King Philip II of Spain invaded England. Main causes of the battle included religious differences and English attacks on Spanish shipping. King Philip II of Spain invaded England. The defeat made the British Navy the strongest and most powerful in the world. The defeat made the British Navy the strongest and most powerful in the world.

How old was Shakespeare when he got married? He was 18 years old. He was 18 years old. Young enough to need his father’s permission. Young enough to need his father’s permission. His bride, Anne Hathaway, was 26 years old. His bride, Anne Hathaway, was 26 years old. Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford, England. Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford, England. He died in He died in He moved to London, without his family, to pursue his acting and playwriting career. He moved to London, without his family, to pursue his acting and playwriting career. He owned a share of the Globe Theatre He owned a share of the Globe Theatre This eventually made him wealthy enough to build a large retirement house in Stratford.

How many children did Shakespeare have? What were their names? Which one had a name similar to a character in one of Shakespeare’s plays? ? Shakespeare had three children. Shakespeare had three children. Two daughters Two daughters One son One son Two daughters Two daughters Judith Susanna One son One son Hamnet Similar to the main character in the play Hamlet

How old was Hamnet when he died? He died when he was 11 years old. He died when he was 11 years old. His twin sister lived to age 77. His twin sister lived to age 77. Most Elizabethans died before they reached 40 years old. Most Elizabethans died before they reached 40 years old.

In 1601, why did all of London’s theaters close down? There was a highly contagious and deadly disease spreading through England and Europe – the PLAGUE There was a highly contagious and deadly disease spreading through England and Europe – the PLAGUE It is believed that rats and their fleas were the culprits of the plague. It is believed that rats and their fleas were the culprits of the plague. 50,000 people killed in England and Ireland 50,000 people killed in England and Ireland By putting large groups of people in close quarters, theaters hastened its spread. By putting large groups of people in close quarters, theaters hastened its spread.

Romeo and Juliet was first performed at the Rose Theatre. Where was Hamlet first performed? Hamlet was first performed in the Globe Theatre. Hamlet was first performed in the Globe Theatre. The Globe Theatre is the theater most associated with Shakespeare. The Globe Theatre is the theater most associated with Shakespeare. Shakespeare owned a share in the Globe. Shakespeare owned a share in the Globe. The Globe burned down in The Globe burned down in 1613.

How is the Globe different from today’s theaters? Food/drink were on sale during the show Food/drink were on sale during the show Audience was very rowdy Audience was very rowdy Open air Open air Lit only by sunshine Lit only by sunshine Bare stage Bare stage Seats onstage Seats onstage Other differences Other differences No bathrooms No intermissions No seats for some attendees No women actors Female parts were played by boys Players needed gov’t permission to join a company

A group called the Puritans sought religious freedom in Where did they go? The Puritans left England on the ship the Mayflower. The Puritans left England on the ship the Mayflower. They landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in They landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in There they met the Indians and had the first Thanksgiving. There they met the Indians and had the first Thanksgiving.