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 theatre

O 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 Communities

Shakespeare’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.