1. William Shakespeare
“The Bard”
April 23, 1564 – April 23, 1616

2. Early Life
Stratford-Upon-Avon, England (100 miles NW of London)

3. Early Life School Family Life Attended school from ages 7-12
Self-educated – no college
Family Life
Married Anne Hathaway
Had three kids

4. London Life Shakespeare the Actor
Moved to London in the 1580s
Was an actor and writer
A playwright (WRIGHT = Maker of…)
38 plays in all, including Hamlet, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, King Lear, Midsummer Night’s Dream

5. London Life Shakespeare the Poet
Bubonic Plague (“Black Death”) closed the theatres
Shakespeare turned to poetry – wrote famous sonnets and long poems

6. The Globe Theatre The most famous English theatre
Shakespeare’s plays were performed here
Note the shape and openness
Called the “Wooden O”

7. The Globe Theatre Affordable for all Groundlings Versatile actors:
-effective memory
-skilled swordsman
-musician

8. Final Years Shakespeare moved back to Stratford around 1610
Died of unknown illness
Buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford

9. The Mystery Lives On . . .
Many uncertainties surrounding Shakespeare’s life and work – lack of primary sources
Even date of birth is uncertain – no certificate
Some question whether he ever really existed!

10. Types of Drama Comedy: Tragedy: deals with love and amusing topics
has a happy ending
Tragedy:
the main character, the protagonist, faces great obstacles
story has a disastrous conclusion, BUT DOES NOT NECESSARILY END WITH DEATH