The Life of William Shakespeare

Basic Biography

Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. Although no one is sure of his exact day of birth, most conjecture that it’s April 23, 1564.

Shakespeare left school at the age of fourteen, which was not uncommon for the time period.

He married Anne Hathaway when he was eighteen years old. (1582). She was eight years older.

Continued…

By 1585 they had three children.

Nothing is really known about Shakespeare between 1585 -1592.

However, by 1592, there is record that Shakespeare was working in the playhouses in London.

Shakespeare the Writer

During Shakespeare’s career he wrote thirty-seven plays and numerous sonnets.

Some of his most famous include: Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Hamlet, the Taming of the Shrew, and Macbeth.

Shakespeare added approximately 1700 words to the English language.

The name of the playhouse where Shakespeare performed most of his plays is called the Globe Theatre.

In his later years, Shakespeare returned home to Stratford-upon-Avon in 1611. Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616.

Controversy

Since his death, there has been some speculation whether he really wrote all of the plays himself or they were written by a group of people.

Some have even questioned whether he really existed at all. The mysteries surrounding Shakespeare may never be solved, but there is no arguing about the lasting impact of the plays and poems attributed to him.

Shakespeare is buried in Trinity Chapel outside of London.

Elizabethan England

Queen Elizabeth I- reigned from 1558-1603

Age of discovery:› Pursuit of scientific knowledge and the

exploration of human nature. › Assumptions concerning feudalism openly

challenged. Reformation

› Continuous strife. “Bloody Mary”- catholic.

The Globe Theatre!

The Globe

Open air amphitheatre that could sit up to 3000.

The “pit” is the floor surrounding the stage where “one-penny” spectator stood

Brought the social elite as well as the disorderly drunks.

Burned down in 1613

The Globe

New Globe built and operated until 1642.

Then the puritans closed it down and deconstructed it in 1644.

In May 1997, Queen Elizabeth II built and re-opened it.

Shakespeare’s Home

Anne Hathaway’s Home

Trinity Chapel

Shakespeare’s Tombstone

“Good friend for Jesus sake forebare To dig the dust encloased heare Bleste be ye man et spares these

stones And curst be he yt moves my bones.

Shakespeare’s Bust

ROMEO AND JULIET!!What you have waited all semester for!

(or at least I have).

ROMEO AND JULIET!!

How has it influenced modern culture?› Just in case you think it does NOT influence

modern culture, look at this: Letters to Juliet

What do you know about Romeo and Juliet?

Listen to these two songs and write down what you think the play might be about› Love Story› Check Yes Juliet

R & J- Drama Basics

What your standard says “Identify and analyze elements of literary drama (e.g., dramatic irony, dialogue, soliloquy, monologue, aside).

So here you go…. Dramatic Irony- When you know

something that a character does not. Dialogue- When two people are

engaged in a conversaion

Soliloquy- a dramatic monologue that represents a series of unspoken reflections. When a character voices his thoughts out loud when NO ONE ELSE is within distance to hear.

Monologue- a prolonged talk or discourse by a single speaker, esp. one dominating or monopolizing a conversation.

Aside-A piece of dialogue intended for the audience and supposedly not heard by the other actors on stage.

A remark made in an undertone so as to be inaudible to others nearby.

Side Note…

Plays in Shakespeare’s time HAD to be entertaining.

Explanation…

The Basis of the StoryA family Feud

The Montague’s› Romeo› Montague & Lady

Montague› Benvolio- Romeo’s

Cousin› Mercutio- closest

friend to Romeo› Balthasar- Romeo’s

dedicated servant

The Capulet’s› Juliet› Capulet & Lady

Capulet› Tybalt- Juliet’s

cousin› Juliet’s Nurse› Paris- wants to

marry Juliet

The Prologue: Tells you everything you need to know

Two households, both alike in dignity,     In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,     From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,     Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.     From forth the fatal loins of these two foes     A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;     Whole misadventured piteous overthrows     Do with their death bury their parents' strife.     The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,     And the continuance of their parents' rage,     Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,     Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;     The which if you with patient ears attend,     What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.