An Introduction to William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s Early Life Born April 1564 in Stratford Upon Avon in England Born April 1564 in Stratford Upon Avon in England Educated at Stratford Grammar School where he would have studied Latin and the Roman playwrights Educated at Stratford Grammar School where he would have studied Latin and the Roman playwrights Learned business as an apprentice for his father Learned business as an apprentice for his father

Middle Life Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 She was eight years his senior and pregnant when they married She was eight years his senior and pregnant when they married They had three children (Susanna, Judith and Hamnet (twins)) They had three children (Susanna, Judith and Hamnet (twins))

Move to London Moved to London to pursue an acting career Moved to London to pursue an acting career Friends in the city helped him financially and professionally, and he advanced quickly Friends in the city helped him financially and professionally, and he advanced quickly By 1594, he was part owner of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, one of the most successful theater companies in London By 1594, he was part owner of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, one of the most successful theater companies in London He was their chief playwright He was their chief playwright In 1599 the Globe Theatre was built and this is where audiences first saw Shakespeare’s plays In 1599 the Globe Theatre was built and this is where audiences first saw Shakespeare’s plays

King James I Renamed Shakespeare’s acting troupe “The King’s Men” Renamed Shakespeare’s acting troupe “The King’s Men” Believed in the supernatural and interested in witchcraft Believed in the supernatural and interested in witchcraft Religious and believed in the existence of supernatural “evil” Religious and believed in the existence of supernatural “evil” Commissioned a translation of the Bible from Latin to English Commissioned a translation of the Bible from Latin to English Much of the supernatural themes in Shakespeare’s plays influenced by King James I Much of the supernatural themes in Shakespeare’s plays influenced by King James I

The Globe Built around a roofless courtyard Built around a roofless courtyard The sun was the only lighting therefore performances were given only during the day The sun was the only lighting therefore performances were given only during the day Surrounding the courtyard were three levels of galleries with benches where wealthier playgoers sat Surrounding the courtyard were three levels of galleries with benches where wealthier playgoers sat For only a penny (1/10 of a weekly salary), a “groundling” could stand in the courtyard, or the pit, and watch For only a penny (1/10 of a weekly salary), a “groundling” could stand in the courtyard, or the pit, and watch Held 2,000 to 3,000 people tightly packed Held 2,000 to 3,000 people tightly packed In 1613, the globe burnt to the ground during a performance of Henry VIII In 1613, the globe burnt to the ground during a performance of Henry VIII

The Globe Only men and boys were allowed onstage Only men and boys were allowed onstage Young boy’s whose voices had not changed play women’s roles Young boy’s whose voices had not changed play women’s roles It would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear onstage It would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear onstage

The Globe Stage- the platform that extended into the pit Stage- the platform that extended into the pit Dressing & storage in galleries behind and above stage Dressing & storage in galleries behind and above stage Second level gallery & upper stage- setting for famous R&J balcony scene Second level gallery & upper stage- setting for famous R&J balcony scene Trap door in stage for ghosts Trap door in stage for ghosts

The Globe

Staging No scenery No scenery The setting was introduced by dialogue in plays The setting was introduced by dialogue in plays Plenty of props used Plenty of props used Very elaborate costuming Very elaborate costuming

Shakespeare’s Work Wrote 34 plays Tragedies Wrote 34 plays TragediesComediesHistories Also wrote 154 Sonnets Also wrote 154 Sonnets

Late Life Around 1610, Shakespeare retired to Stratford Around 1610, Shakespeare retired to Stratford He was a prosperous middle- class man with the second largest house in the town He was a prosperous middle- class man with the second largest house in the town Here, he continued to write plays Here, he continued to write plays On April 23, 1616 (his birthday, if scholars are correct) Shakespeare died On April 23, 1616 (his birthday, if scholars are correct) Shakespeare died

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