Shakespeare’s Life Born in Stratford-upon-Avon (England), baptized April 26, 1564 Born in Stratford-upon-Avon (England), baptized April 26, 1564 Married Anne Hathaway at age of 18. She was at least five years older than he and pregnant with Susanna. Twins Judith and Hamnet were born in 1585 Married Anne Hathaway at age of 18. She was at least five years older than he and pregnant with Susanna. Twins Judith and Hamnet were born in 1585 Hamnet died at age 11 Hamnet died at age 11 Lost years Lost years Well known in theatre by 1592 Well known in theatre by 1592 Didn’t return to live in Stratford until about 1613 Didn’t return to live in Stratford until about 1613 Died April 23, 1616 (Feast of St. George) Died April 23, 1616 (Feast of St. George) Wrote 37 plays, 152 sonnets, and several long poems Wrote 37 plays, 152 sonnets, and several long poems Died around April 23, 1616 Died around April 23, 1616

What Shakespeare wrote 37+ plays, including a couple with co- authors 37+ plays, including a couple with co- authors 154 sonnets 154 sonnets 2 long poems, Rape of Lucrece and Venus and Adonis 2 long poems, Rape of Lucrece and Venus and Adonis A few other middle- length poems A few other middle- length poems

History on a need-to-know basis Henry VIII – six wives, needed to get divorced so he made England Protestant instead of Catholic Henry VIII – six wives, needed to get divorced so he made England Protestant instead of Catholic Father of Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I Virgin Queen (never married at least) lived , Queen beginning in 1558 Virgin Queen (never married at least) lived , Queen beginning in 1558 Under her leadership, the English navy defeated the Spanish Armada Under her leadership, the English navy defeated the Spanish Armada Kept England Protestant Kept England Protestant Identified with England Identified with England Think about her when you read about Hippolyta (Queen of Amazons) and Titania (Queen of Fairies) Think about her when you read about Hippolyta (Queen of Amazons) and Titania (Queen of Fairies)

The Renaissance “Rebirth” of Humanism of the Greeks and Romans, including their poetry, plays, science, math, astronomy, chemistry, and interest in the individual (as opposed to theological study). Back to Greek and Roman “Rebirth” of Humanism of the Greeks and Romans, including their poetry, plays, science, math, astronomy, chemistry, and interest in the individual (as opposed to theological study). Back to Greek and Roman Sculpture Sculpture Art Art Music Music Literature Literature Drama Drama Democracy Democracy Philosophy Philosophy Science Science

Renaissance, continued BEFORE the Renaissance, the Church was in control so all of these areas of human endeavor were directed to support of the Church and for worship of God. BEFORE the Renaissance, the Church was in control so all of these areas of human endeavor were directed to support of the Church and for worship of God. In 1400’s (Quatrocento) Italy, France, and by 1500’s England, re-started all of these OUTSIDE of the Church control, partly because of Protestant Reformation & Science combined, and partly because of manuscripts discovered – writings from Greece & Rome In 1400’s (Quatrocento) Italy, France, and by 1500’s England, re-started all of these OUTSIDE of the Church control, partly because of Protestant Reformation & Science combined, and partly because of manuscripts discovered – writings from Greece & Rome NOW a secular emphasis – not by church people, not for church people, not about God NOW a secular emphasis – not by church people, not for church people, not about God Individualism/ Humanism: People are not TYPES, but individuals Individualism/ Humanism: People are not TYPES, but individuals People are not represented as primarily SPIRITUAL, but as intelligent and individual, depending on oneself, rather than the social structure People are not represented as primarily SPIRITUAL, but as intelligent and individual, depending on oneself, rather than the social structure

Renaissance Humanism “Renaissance Humanism” = a new concept of what humans are “Renaissance Humanism” = a new concept of what humans are Emphasis on the above arts and endeavors, plus Emphasis on the above arts and endeavors, plus Rich potential of human nature/ “Man’s” potential power Rich potential of human nature/ “Man’s” potential power Free creative play of human talent in every field Free creative play of human talent in every field The individual soul apart from all others The individual soul apart from all others A person who shaped his own destiny, free in mind & spirit A person who shaped his own destiny, free in mind & spirit Perspective in art Perspective in art Study of anatomy & astronomy & biology Study of anatomy & astronomy & biology Less symbolism and more real, concrete reality Less symbolism and more real, concrete reality Intense interest in things human and earthly Intense interest in things human and earthly Began in Italy (Quattrocento) and went to France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, England Began in Italy (Quattrocento) and went to France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, England

Italian Renaissance Humanism Petrarch and Laura Petrarch and Laura Also see Dante’s Divine Comedy Also see Dante’s Divine Comedy

Renaissance Humanism Michaelangelo Michaelangelo

The Early Modern Period Another name for the Renaissance Another name for the Renaissance Emphasis is on looking forward from the 15 th and 16 th centuries to NOW – we see the concerns and psychology of the people of the Early Modern Period as essentially akin to ourselves Emphasis is on looking forward from the 15 th and 16 th centuries to NOW – we see the concerns and psychology of the people of the Early Modern Period as essentially akin to ourselves Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets are the defining literary texts which most emphatically “prove” this point Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets are the defining literary texts which most emphatically “prove” this point