shakespeare

William Shakespeare, a Life of Drama : 

William Shakespeare, a Life of Drama Unit 3

Early Life : 

Early Life Born in 1564 presumably because there is a record of his baptism Stratford-upon-Avon, England John and Mary Shakespeare were his parents

Early Life continued : 

Early Life continued Stratford Grammar School Free schooling because of his father’s position as town bailiff Loved Ovid, he would have read it in its original Latin

The Lost Years : 

The Lost Years 2 time periods in which little is known about his life: First period between grammar school and his marriage to Anne Hathaway Second period covers 7 years in which he must have been perfecting his dramatic skills and collecting sources for plots of his plays

Marriage and Children : 

Marriage and Children Married Anne Hathaway (who was already pregnant) Susanna (May 26, 1583) Hamnet and Judith (January 1585) Contrary to popular opinion that Hamnet was a precursor to Hamlet, a play by the bard, Hamnet and Judith were named after good friends of their parents 1596 Hamnet died of unknown causes, Shakespeare’s grief is apparent in his writings

His Plays and his Acting : 

His Plays and his Acting Began to act by end of 1592 Lived, wrote and worked in London away from his family for months at a time Several plays were popular by this time: Henry VI The Comedy of Errors Titus Andronicus

Plays and Acting Cont’d. : 

Plays and Acting Cont’d. Performed in front of the Queen Elizabeth I on several occasions with Chamberlain’s Men (an acting group) More Plays: Romeo and Juliet Richard II Love’s Labour’s Lost King John

The Globe Theater : 

The Globe Theater Where most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed in those days No electricity, scenery, or advanced special effects The Groundlings: Standing room only (1 penny per person) Seats were more expensive, nicest seats reserved for royalty, Queen herself was said to see several of Shakespeare’s plays

The Globe Theater cont’d. : 

The Globe Theater cont’d. Shakespeare had joint ownership of the Globe With income from his cut of the earnings of the theater, he bought the 2nd largest house in Stratford and moved his family there in 1597

Why study Shakespeare? : 

Why study Shakespeare? “Shakespeare’s ability to summarize the range of human emotions in simple yet profoundly eloquent verse is perhaps the greatest reason for his enduring popularity. If you cannot find words to express how you feel about love or music or growing older, Shakespeare can speak for you. No author in the Western world has penned more beloved passages.” Mabillard, Amanda. Why Study Shakespeare? Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug. 2000. (date when you accessed the information) < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/whystudyshakespeare.html >.

Why study Shakespeare? : 

Why study Shakespeare? Illumination of the Human Experience (aka the human condition) Great stories Compelling characters (Hamlet still considered literature’s most complex character) Ability to turn a phrase (source of many modern words and clichés

Shakespeare’s Death : 

Shakespeare’s Death It is widely believed that he contracted Typhus and died on his birthday in 1616 at the age of 52 Although the circumstances surrounding his death are not completely known, he led a rather long life for an Elizabethan of that time (life expectancy was around 35 years)