Download - William Shakespeare
William ShakespeareLanguage Extraordinaire
Life and Death O Born around April 23, 1564O Died around April 23, 1616O Lived at Stratford-upon-Avon
O Not much is known about Shakespeare’s early life. His birth and death dates are approximated – birth based on his April 26th baptism.
Nicknamed the “Bard,” Shakespeare
is responsible for approximately 38
plays and 154 sonnets.
Shakespeare was a respected poet and
playwright.
Marriage and ChildrenO Shakespeare was married to Anne
Hathaway when he was 18 and she was 26. She was two months pregnant with their first child.
O Anne and William had three children and lived in Stratford-upon-Avon.
A Successful Actor and Playwright
O At 49, Shakespeare became part owner of a play company called Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later known as The King’s Men.
O He produced most of his major works between 1589 and 1613.
Politics in the theatreO Shakespeare avoided dabbling in politicsO King Henry VIII caused turmoil regarding
religion and the Catholic faith; daughter, Mary I of England, a.k.a. Bloody Mary, was a staunch Catholic; however, her sister Elizabeth was Protestant. Mary died of what is assumed to have been cancer and E-I took the throne.
O Catholicism was not favorable in the eyes of the Protestant Queen Elizabeth I; therefore, Shakespeare avoided Catholic plots in his plays
Was Shakespeare
really Shakespeare?
Many critics argue that William Shakespeare might have been a
pseudonym for someone interested in
protecting his/her identity as a writer. Some speculations
include schoolmates of WS, as well as
Christopher Marlowe and even Queen
Elizabeth I.
Friends and Fans
Christopher Marlowe – contemporary of Shakespeare and
influential playwright. Marlowe was thought to
be a government spy and mysteriously died in 1593.
Friends and Fans
Queen Elizabeth I – “Virgin” Queen of
England 1558-1603 First Protestant ruler of England, born to a long
line of Catholics. Her father was King Henry VIII and her mother,
Anne Boleyn.Her reign is known as the Elizabethan Era, a time famous for the
flourishing of Elizabethan drama.
The Globe TheatreOpened in 1599Open air (no roof)Round in shape and accommodated
about 3,000 spectatorsNo artificial lightingBurned in 1613
After it burned in 1613, The Globe was rebuilt the following year but
closed in 1642. A modern version was
opened in 1997, 750ft. from the original site.
The Globe Theatre
Actors in Elizabethan theatreO Women were not allowed to become
actors because it was considered improper and inappropriate; therefore, men played all parts, male and female, on stage.
O Even plays such as Romeo and Juliet (primarily centered around romantic love and scandal) were acted with all male casts
Spectators in Elizabethan TheatreO Wealthy citizens were provided seats
in the theatre.O Poor folks, termed “groundlings,”
stood in the pit (right in front of the stage) to watch the shows.
O Spectators feasted on Elizabethan “popcorn,” better known as hazelnuts.
O When play goers became disgruntled, they often threw hazelnuts and other foods at the actors on stage.
Shakespeare Through the Years
O Although well known during his career, Shakespeare and his works were not touted until the 19th century (1800s)
O Shakespeare is responsible for coining more than 1,500 words and phrases in the English language.
Popular Shakespearean Phrases
O “All’s well that ends well”
O “All the world’s a stage”
O “All of a sudden”O “Good riddance”O “Heart’s content”O “Eaten out of
house and home”
O “In a pickle”O “Love is blind”O “Wear your heart
on your sleeve”O “Up in arms”O “This is the short
and the long of it”
O “Wild goose chase”
Modern Twists on Shakespeare’s Plays
O Shakespeare in LoveO http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138097
/
O Romeo and JulietO http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509
/
O Twelfth Night (She’s the Man)O http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454945
/
Shakespeare in American CommunitiesShakespeare’s plays are performed all over the
U.S. Many major cities,
including Nashville, TN, have professional
Shakespeare companies.“Shakespeare in the
Park” performs in Centennial Park every summer. Admission is free with a suggested
donation of $10.