William Shakespeare Life and Times

Family Background Parents: John and Mary Parents: John and Mary Dad was a Glover – considered a skilled craftsman Dad was a Glover – considered a skilled craftsman Served as Bailiff of Stratford – the town’s chief officer and local agent of the gov’t in London Served as Bailiff of Stratford – the town’s chief officer and local agent of the gov’t in London Born in 1564, William was 3 rd of 8 children (oldest son) Born in 1564, William was 3 rd of 8 children (oldest son)

Bed where William was born

Early Life Best schooling available as the son Best schooling available as the son of a well-to-do Burgess Grammar, logic, rhetoric, Latin Grammar, logic, rhetoric, Latin Lived in Stratford-Upon-Avon Lived in Stratford-Upon-Avon Small town with 200 homes, orchards, gardens Small town with 200 homes, orchards, gardens Important crossing point over Important crossing point over Avon River

Marriage and Family Married Anne Hathaway – 8 years older than he, and pregnant Married Anne Hathaway – 8 years older than he, and pregnant A very common woman of the day - illiterate A very common woman of the day - illiterate Susanna Susanna Twins - Hamnet and Judith Twins - Hamnet and Judith Hamnet died at age 11 probably of The Plague Hamnet died at age 11 probably of The Plague

William goes to London Probably in search of more money than he could make in Stratford, William left Anne and the kids Probably in search of more money than he could make in Stratford, William left Anne and the kids and went to London Joined a company of actors (players) – all men – sometime in the mid 1580’s Joined a company of actors (players) – all men – sometime in the mid 1580’s Became involved in a theatre called “The Theatre” Became involved in a theatre called “The Theatre”

Burst of Theatre Activity Lyly, Peele, Greene, Kyd – popular writers Lyly, Peele, Greene, Kyd – popular writers Christopher Marlowe was a peer Christopher Marlowe was a peer of William’s Most playwrights were university trained gentleman Most playwrights were university trained gentleman Many theatres were built: The Theatre, The Curtain, The Rose, The Swan – all before Shakespeare’s famous theatre Many theatres were built: The Theatre, The Curtain, The Rose, The Swan – all before Shakespeare’s famous theatre

THE GLOBE

The Globe is Shakespeare’s Theatre Built in 1599 Built in 1599 Managed by a company of men called “sharers” because they shared the expenses and profits Managed by a company of men called “sharers” because they shared the expenses and profits The Lord Chamberlain’s Men ran The Globe – Shakespeare was one of them The Lord Chamberlain’s Men ran The Globe – Shakespeare was one of them There were 8 Sharers in 1596 There were 8 Sharers in 1596 Hired men were paid weekly – Hired men were paid weekly – did not share the profits

The Globe – Open Top Structure

Strangely Built Timbers used from tearing down The Theatre because their landlord was not renewing their lease Timbers used from tearing down The Theatre because their landlord was not renewing their lease Not really circular – had 20 sides Not really circular – had 20 sides Was 100 feet across Was 100 feet across Held about 2000 people Held about 2000 people The Yard – where people stood around the stage The Yard – where people stood around the stage 3 Galleries where people sat on benches 3 Galleries where people sat on benches

The Globe

Fire destroyed The Globe during a performance of Henry VIII Fire destroyed The Globe during a performance of Henry VIII A cannon shot off thru the open roof ignited the thatch roof on fire A cannon shot off thru the open roof ignited the thatch roof on fire It kindled inwardly and consumed the building in less than an hour It kindled inwardly and consumed the building in less than an hour Only one man had his breeches set on fire Only one man had his breeches set on fire The 2 nd Globe Theatre had a tiled roof The 2 nd Globe Theatre had a tiled roof

Life Back at Home William seems to have been an “absent” husband and father, sending money home occasionally but not visiting often William seems to have been an “absent” husband and father, sending money home occasionally but not visiting often Both daughters married and stayed in Stratford Both daughters married and stayed in Stratford His granddaughter Elizabeth lived from and was his last direct descendent His granddaughter Elizabeth lived from and was his last direct descendent

The Last Years Queen Elizabeth died in 1603 and was succeeded by King James I Queen Elizabeth died in 1603 and was succeeded by King James I The Lord Chamberlain’s Men were recognized as The King’s Men The Lord Chamberlain’s Men were recognized as The King’s Men Shakespeare was seen as a member of the Royal Household Shakespeare was seen as a member of the Royal Household 1613 Shakespeare retired to New Place in Stratford (the home of Susanna and her husband, a doctor) 1613 Shakespeare retired to New Place in Stratford (the home of Susanna and her husband, a doctor)

Shakespeare Died 23 April 1616

37 works live on 1590: Henry VI, part 1 Henry VI, part 2 Henry VI, part : Richard III Titus Andronicus 1593: The Comedy of Errors The Taming of the Shrew 1594 : The Two Gentlemen of Verona Love’s Labour’s Lost 1595: Romeo and Juliet Richard II 1596: A Midsummer Night’s Dream King John 1597: The Merchant of Venice Henry IV, part : Henry IV, part 2 The Merry Wives of Windsor 1599: Henry V Much Ado About Nothing Julius Caesar 1600 : As You Like It Twelfth Night 1601: Hamlet 1602: Troilus and Cressida 1603: All’s Well That Ends Well Measure for Measure 1604: Othello 1605: Timon of Athens 1606: King Lear Macbeth 1607: Antony and Cleopatra Coriolanus 1608: Pericles 1609: Cymbeline 1610: A Winter’s Tale 1611: The Tempest 1612: Henry VIII

Bibliography Morley, Jacqueline and John James. Shakespeare’s Theater. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, Morley, Jacqueline and John James. Shakespeare’s Theater. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, Parker, Michael St. John. William Shakespeare – The Pitkin Guide. Hampshire UK: Pitkin Unichrome, Parker, Michael St. John. William Shakespeare – The Pitkin Guide. Hampshire UK: Pitkin Unichrome, 2000.