William Shakespeare “Brush up your Shakespeare. Start quoting him now. Brush up your Shakespeare, and the women you will wow.” ~Cole Porter

Biographical Information Born in Stratford-on-Avon, England Born in Stratford-on-Avon, England Baptized April 26, 1564 Baptized April 26, 1564 (Assumed date of birth: April 23, 1564) (Assumed date of birth: April 23, 1564) Married Anne age 18 (Anne was 26 and pregnant) Married Anne age 18 (Anne was 26 and pregnant)--1582

Biographical Information (cont.) Daughter Susanna born 1583 Daughter Susanna born 1583 Twins, Hamnet & Judith, born 1585 Twins, Hamnet & Judith, born 1585 Hamnet died of the plague in 1596 Hamnet died of the plague in 1596 Died April 23, 1616 Died April 23, 1616

“The Lost Years” No significant records exist about Shakespeare’s life during this time. No significant records exist about Shakespeare’s life during this time. Scholars believe that he probably moved to London during that time. Scholars believe that he probably moved to London during that time.

Queen Elizabeth I & King James I Elizabeth I reigned Elizabeth I reigned “Elizabethan age” “Elizabethan age” James I reigned James I reigned “Jacobean age” “Jacobean age”

Shakespearean Theatre Globe Theatre built in 1599 (Shakespeare part- owner) Globe burned down in 1613 Globe rebuilt in 1614 Torn down again in 1644 New Globe reconstructed in 1996

Shakespearean Theatre Groundlings: lower- class spectators who stood at the floor of the theatre Acting companies were all men Female roles played by young boys

The First Folio First collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays First collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays Published in 1623 by John Heminge & Henry Condell (fellow actors) Published in 1623 by John Heminge & Henry Condell (fellow actors) Saved works that would have been lost Saved works that would have been lost

Shakespeare in Popular Culture Allusion: A quick reference to a familiar person, place, or thing in a work of literature Numerous allusions to Shakespeare occur frequently in Western culture

Allusions to Shakespeare Lois: Stewie, do you want to try out for Mommy's play? Stewie: (clears his throat and starts quoting Shakespeare) Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this son of York... Lois: You know what, just sing “Itsy-Bitsy Spider.” Stewie: How dare you reduce my fine thespian stylings with mere Mother Gooseries! Lois: Oh, sing “Baa Baa Black Sheep”! Stewie: You know, Mother, as first lady of the American stage Helen Hayes once said, "I'm going to kill you!"

Modern Adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays  “O” (based on Othello)  10 Things I Hate About You (based on The Taming of the Shrew)  She’s the Man (based on 12th Night)

Literary terms Pun: a joke where two words sound alike but have different meanings Pun: a joke where two words sound alike but have different meanings Soliloquy: a long speech expressing the thoughts of a character who is alone on the stage Soliloquy: a long speech expressing the thoughts of a character who is alone on the stage Monologue: a long speech given by one character while others listen Aside: words a character speaks to an audience when others on the stage can’t hear

Romeo & Juliet Star-crossed lovers: lovers who are jinxed by the bad placement of the stars at their birth In other words, they are very, very, very UNLUCKY.