William Shakespeare “All the world 's a stage, / And all the men and women merely players.”——

Well-known Facts about Will Great writer of England Plays translated into all languages, musicals, ballets Born Stratford-upon-Avon, (April 23rd? 1564) Well-to-do, affluent while alive Most quoted, other than the Bible Learned Latin in school And attended school 9 hours a day

Shakespeare wrote for and performed with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. This group often performed for royalty and later became known as the King’s Men. Father was a glove-maker and served as mayor Mother was Mary Arden

Lesser-known Facts Teen father: married pregnant 26 year old Anne Hathaway when he was 18 Deadbeat dad: Left wife and children for London stage career Father of twins, Judith and Hamnet. And daughter Susanna Elizabethan rapper: uses rhythm and rhyme “Plagiarism” ? Died on his birthday at 52 and was buried in Stratford Holy Trinity Church.

Shakespeare’s Epitaph Good Friend, for Jesus’sake forbear. To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spare these stones. And Cursed be he that moves my bones.

The Competition Bear-baiting Races Gambling Music Drinking/socializing Prostitution Public executions

Conditions in London-BAD! Thames River polluted with raw sewage- could have led to bubonic plague. Trees used up for fuel Poverty Actors held in low regard

Personal hygiene/health Bathing considered dangerous Body odor strong Childhood diseases Children often died before 5 years Small Pox Bubonic Plague- led to closing of theaters for two years.

Living Conditions No running water Chamber Pots Open Sewers Crowded                   

Clothes One set used all year long, rarely washed Underclothing slept in, infrequently changed Clothes handed down from rich to poor

Theater in London Performed in courtyards of inns The Theater-first public theater-1576 Daytime/open air Limited set design Relied on music, sound, costumes, props and great description The first theater to be constructed was “The Theater

As a play was about to begin trumpets would sound as the first actor delivered the prologue. At the end of each play, no matter how sad, the stage would be filled with singers, acrobats, and tumblers for the grand finale. Theaters were located in the suburbs called “liberties”. Thieves, pickpockets, and scoundrels liked to hang out in these areas.

The Globe Built in 1599 Across the Thames- “Wrong side of town” King’s Players - Shakespeare’s company Perfomances in afternoon because of lighting Refferred as“The Wooden-O” in Henry V.

The Globe The white flag meant there would be a play that day. The color of The flag indicated the type of play being performed. Ex. Red was history

The Globe- parts Three main parts The Proper Building proper The stage The tiring house (backstage house) The Proper Three story wooden structure. 16 sided polygon (wooden O)

The Stage Jutted halfway into the yard so actors were in closer contact with audience Trap doors under stage Ceiling was painted with suns, moons and stars,with trap door Tiring House 2-story back drop for stage Included balcony, tower, and city wall scenes Scenery not abundant. When actor carried lantern, audience knew it was night

Props were abundant. Interiors painted brightly Costumes were elaborate Galleries Three covered seating sections Costs more Entrance- “gatherers” stood at entrance to collect pennies. Patrons put pennies into a box, hence the term “box office”

Actors All men Female parts played by young boys No actual kissing or hugging on stage

The groundling Poor audience member Stood around stage in “the pit” Women not allowed (had to dress up as men to attend) Threw rotten vegetables at bad performances Penny drank beer and played cards, shouted at actors, also called “Penny Skinkards” Spread epidemics and plagues

Queen Elizabeth Bastard daughter of King Henry VIII And Ann Boleyn (2nd of 6 wives) Henry had Ann beheaded for “treason” Younger sister of “Bloody Mary.”

The Renaissance 1500-1650 “Rebirth” of arts, culture, science Discovery of “New World” Copernicus: Sun-centered Universe (1543) King Henry VIII = renaissance man (ideal) Reformation of Catholic Church Actors were held in very low regard until Queen Elizabeth began to support them.

Have you heard these phrases? He was dead as a doornail. She’s a tower of strength. They hoodwinked us. I couldn’t sleep a wink. I’m green-eyed with jealousy. We’d better lie low for awhile. Keep a civil tongue in your head.