1. What do these four things have in common?

2. Introduction to Shakespeare

3. Why Shakespeare? Why do we have to study Shakespeare? Why do we have to study Shakespeare? He has become an important part of our culture He has become an important part of our culture Plays have become movies, Simpsons episodes, songs etc. Plays have become movies, Simpsons episodes, songs etc. His plays ask the “big questions” : What is love? Why are we here? What is real and what not? His plays ask the “big questions” : What is love? Why are we here? What is real and what not?

4. Who was Shakespeare? While we know a lot about the works of Shakespeare there is not as much about his personal life.

5. What we (think) we know… Born in England on April the 23th, 1564 in the small town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Born in England on April the 23th, 1564 in the small town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Oldest son of John Shakespeare, a tanner, and Mary Arden, daughter of a well-to-do farmer. Oldest son of John Shakespeare, a tanner, and Mary Arden, daughter of a well-to-do farmer. Believed to have attended the grammar school, where Latin was the focus and language of all subjects (Shakespeare often makes references to Latin and to Greek and Roman myths in his plays). Believed to have attended the grammar school, where Latin was the focus and language of all subjects (Shakespeare often makes references to Latin and to Greek and Roman myths in his plays). During most of Shakespeare’s lifetime, Queen Elizabeth I was in power. She had turned the country around financially and religiously, and culture was beginning to grow During most of Shakespeare’s lifetime, Queen Elizabeth I was in power. She had turned the country around financially and religiously, and culture was beginning to grow

6. What we (think) we know… Married Anne Hathaway, who was 26 years old when William married her at age 18. Married Anne Hathaway, who was 26 years old when William married her at age 18. They had eight children, including twins named Hamnet (sounds like HAMLET!) and Judith They had eight children, including twins named Hamnet (sounds like HAMLET!) and Judith Moved to London (the most important city in England for culture and commerce) in his early 20s, leaving Anne in Stratford. Moved to London (the most important city in England for culture and commerce) in his early 20s, leaving Anne in Stratford. Started as an actor before turning to writing. Started as an actor before turning to writing. Was a member of an important acting troupe, The Lord Chamberlain’s men, which included the famous actor, Richard Burbage. Was a member of an important acting troupe, The Lord Chamberlain’s men, which included the famous actor, Richard Burbage. Died at the age of 52, in 1616, on the same day he was born... Weird!. Died at the age of 52, in 1616, on the same day he was born... Weird!.

7. During his lifetime, Shakespeare wrote 36-38 plays, including: During his lifetime, Shakespeare wrote 36-38 plays, including: Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy ending (e.g. Twelfth Night) Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy ending (e.g. Twelfth Night) Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings (e.g. Romeo and Juliet) (e.g. Romeo and Juliet) Histories – involve events or persons from history (e.g. Henry V) Histories – involve events or persons from history (e.g. Henry V) Types of Plays

8. The Globe Theatre

9. Where Was It? The Globe Theatre was the most important theatre during Shakespeare’s lifetime, and as a part owner, many of his plays were performed in it. The Globe Theatre was the most important theatre during Shakespeare’s lifetime, and as a part owner, many of his plays were performed in it. Playhouses were located in the Southwark District (a London suburb), because religious Puritan politicians and clergymen considered plays immoral. Playhouses were located in the Southwark District (a London suburb), because religious Puritan politicians and clergymen considered plays immoral. In this district you could find playhouses, brothels, bearbaiting, and cockfights. It was the “wrong side” of the Elizabethan tracks! In this district you could find playhouses, brothels, bearbaiting, and cockfights. It was the “wrong side” of the Elizabethan tracks!

10. What Did It Look Like? Globe Theatre had an open roof, was three stories high, and had no indoor lighting. Globe Theatre had an open roof, was three stories high, and had no indoor lighting. Because of this, plays were only shown during the day, and rain could cancel a performance! Because of this, plays were only shown during the day, and rain could cancel a performance! Laws kept theatres from advertising, so they raised a flag and sounded trumpets to announce a play. Laws kept theatres from advertising, so they raised a flag and sounded trumpets to announce a play.

11. Spectators Seating was divided by price. Seating was divided by price. The wealthy paid 2-3 pennies to sit on benches in the second and third levels. The wealthy paid 2-3 pennies to sit on benches in the second and third levels. The poorer people, called groundlings, had to stand and watch in the courtyard, called the pit. The poorer people, called groundlings, had to stand and watch in the courtyard, called the pit. There was much more participation than in theatres today; if the audience did not like the play or actor, they would throw garbage onto the stage! There was much more participation than in theatres today; if the audience did not like the play or actor, they would throw garbage onto the stage!

12. Actors Only men and boys were actors. Only men and boys were actors. Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women’s roles Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women’s roles It would have been indecent for a woman to appear on stage It would have been indecent for a woman to appear on stage Juliet was therefore usually played by a boy! Juliet was therefore usually played by a boy!