Shakespeare & Elizabethan Theater

“The Wooden O”

William Shakespeare

• Born April 1564• In Stratford-on-

Avon• Grammar school• Butcher, but may

have done many jobs

• At 18 Married Anne Hathaway, 26

William Shakespeare

• Three children:• Susanna• The Twins:• Judith• Hamnet-died as a

boy• Late 1580’s left for

London

William Shakespeare

• From 1592-we have documentation about his work and life in London.

• Eventually a playwright, actor, director and theater owner

William Shakespeare

• Wrote three types of plays:

• Histories(about kings and queens of England’s history

• Comedies-happy endings

• Tragedies-tragic hero who meets his end!

William Shakespeare

• Member of acting troupe: Lord Chamberlain’s Men-late renamed The King’s Men--usually named after whomever pays the bills!!

William Shakespeare

• Considered the GREATEST Elizabethan writer--and still taught in every school in America and around the world.

• Died April 26 1616-left behind folios of writing his daughter Susanna first put in order to publish.

THE GLOBE

• Theater owned by Shakespeare

• Built from timbers of “The Theater” in 1599--built across the river.

• Seats and standing room for groundlings

Elizabethan theater

• Everyone attended the theater

• Afternoon performances

• Flag for advertising-Colors let audiences know what type of play

Elizabethan theater

• Up close and personal(groundlings)

• Dissatisfied audience would throw “items”

• No women were actors--unseemly occupation for woman

Elizabethan theater

• Repertory system: Numerous plays going at same time-each actor played multiple roles.

• Closed down during the plagues.