Shakespeare

1564-1616Queen Elizabeth reigned from 1558-1603

King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England in 1603 (King James Bible)

Life factsHometown: Stratford-Upon-AvonWife: Anne Hathaway (1582)Children: Susanna (1583), twins: Hamnet and Judith (1585)

Life Facts1595: Became shareholder in an acting company in London.

Hamnet died, aged 11.

His father, John, granted arms (recognized as a gentleman) 1596

Writing Career

Wrote 37 Plays

Three categories of plays: tragedies, comedies and histories

Writing CareerWrote 154 Sonnets

First Folio published: 1623

Wrote Macbeth to impress King James (1606)

Macbeth

Set in Scotland (to honor King James)

Deals with witchcraft because King James was an “expert”

Macbeth

Believed to be cursed

Referred to as “The Scottish Play”

Newly discovered portrait!

Believed to be painted in 1610

The Globe theatre