Shakespeare’s Life and TimesShakespeare’s Life and Times

Born 1564 in Stratford-upon-AvonBorn 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon

• DOB: April 23, 1564

• His exact place of birth is unknown because his father owned several properties at the time.

• Parents: John and Mary Shakespeare

**No one knows exactly when and where he was born

• DOB: April 23, 1564

• His exact place of birth is unknown because his father owned several properties at the time.

• Parents: John and Mary Shakespeare

**No one knows exactly when and where he was born

Shakespeare’s SchoolShakespeare’s School• It is said that he most likely

attended the Stratford grammar school

• The school is still standing – it is only blocks away from the house Shakespeare was supposedly born.

• During 1553, the school’s name was changed to the King’s New School of Stratford-upon-Avon.

• It is said that he most likely attended the Stratford grammar school

• The school is still standing – it is only blocks away from the house Shakespeare was supposedly born.

• During 1553, the school’s name was changed to the King’s New School of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Shakespeare’s EducationShakespeare’s Education

• Elizabethan grammar schools

• Latin was the primary language of learning.

• Latin composition and the study of Latin authors like Seneca, Cicero, Ovid, Virgil, and Horace would have been the focus– likely had some lessons in English

• Elizabethan grammar schools

• Latin was the primary language of learning.

• Latin composition and the study of Latin authors like Seneca, Cicero, Ovid, Virgil, and Horace would have been the focus– likely had some lessons in English

Married Anne Hathaway in 1582

Married Anne Hathaway in 1582

• Marriage was hurried and a bit “irregular”—Anne may have been pregnant. – (Their daughter, Susanna,

was born only 6 months after the wedding.)

• They also had twins, Hamlet and Judith, in 1585.

• Marriage was hurried and a bit “irregular”—Anne may have been pregnant. – (Their daughter, Susanna,

was born only 6 months after the wedding.)

• They also had twins, Hamlet and Judith, in 1585.

Lost years?Lost years?

• Between 1585 and 1592, we know little of Shakespeare’s life.

• It is said that he spent this time perfecting his craft.• In 1592, he surfaces in London as an actor and

playwright. He is 28 years old.

• Between 1585 and 1592, we know little of Shakespeare’s life.

• It is said that he spent this time perfecting his craft.• In 1592, he surfaces in London as an actor and

playwright. He is 28 years old.

Playwright and PoetPlaywright and Poet

• 10 tragedies—including Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, and Romeo and Juliet

• 13 comedies—including Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice

• 10 histories—including Henry V, Richard II, Henry VIII• 4 romances—Winter’s Tale, The Tempest, Cymbeline, Pericles• He wrote a group of 154 sonnets• As well as several narrative poems:

– The Rape of Lucrece—1594– Venus and Adonis—1593– The Phoenix and the Turtle– A Lover’s Complaint

• 10 tragedies—including Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, and Romeo and Juliet

• 13 comedies—including Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice

• 10 histories—including Henry V, Richard II, Henry VIII• 4 romances—Winter’s Tale, The Tempest, Cymbeline, Pericles• He wrote a group of 154 sonnets• As well as several narrative poems:

– The Rape of Lucrece—1594– Venus and Adonis—1593– The Phoenix and the Turtle– A Lover’s Complaint

Shakespeare as an ActorShakespeare as an Actor

• Tradition holds that he performed the Ghost in Hamlet and the French King in Henry V.

• Tradition holds that he performed the Ghost in Hamlet and the French King in Henry V.

The PlagueThe Plague

• Between 1592 and 1594, the theatres in London were closed because of an

outbreak of the plague.

• Between 1592 and 1594, the theatres in London were closed because of an

outbreak of the plague.

Shakespeare’s ReturnShakespeare’s Return

• When they reopened, we find Shakespeare

a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men,

but we do not know how

he got there.

• When they reopened, we find Shakespeare

a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men,

but we do not know how

he got there.

Queen Elizabeth I

King’s MenKing’s Men

• In 1603, under King James I, Shakespeare’s company came under the patronage of the new King, and thereafter was known as the King’s Men

• They were the premiere acting company of the day

• Female roles were played by young boys/men

• In 1603, under King James I, Shakespeare’s company came under the patronage of the new King, and thereafter was known as the King’s Men

• They were the premiere acting company of the day

• Female roles were played by young boys/men

Shakespeare’s plays were performed:

Shakespeare’s plays were performed:

• At the Globe

• At the “Private” theatres like the Blackfriars

• At court

• At the Globe

• At the “Private” theatres like the Blackfriars

• At court

The GlobeThe Globe

• Shakespeare’s company built their own theatre in 1599 outside of the London district

• The theatres were placed outside the jurisdiction of the city so they could avoid censorship.

• They were also located to attract visitors, travelers, and certain sorts of clientele.

• Shakespeare’s company built their own theatre in 1599 outside of the London district

• The theatres were placed outside the jurisdiction of the city so they could avoid censorship.

• They were also located to attract visitors, travelers, and certain sorts of clientele.

Public TheatresPublic Theatres

• The Globe, the Swan, the Rose, and the Theatre were “public,” outdoor theatres.

• They were round or hexagonal, with a stage that thrust out into the center with seating and standing room all around.

• Plays took place in the daytime: no electricity / open roofs

• The Globe, the Swan, the Rose, and the Theatre were “public,” outdoor theatres.

• They were round or hexagonal, with a stage that thrust out into the center with seating and standing room all around.

• Plays took place in the daytime: no electricity / open roofs

Examples:Examples:

Shakespeare’s Retirement and Death

Shakespeare’s Retirement and Death

• Shakespeare left London and retired from the stage sometime around 1612-13.

• He was probably still collaborating with younger playwrights, such as John Fletcher, who replaced him as the leading playwright for the King’s Men.

• Shakespeare left London and retired from the stage sometime around 1612-13.

• He was probably still collaborating with younger playwrights, such as John Fletcher, who replaced him as the leading playwright for the King’s Men.

Shakespeare died on his birthday, April 23, in 1616

Shakespeare died on his birthday, April 23, in 1616

"Good Friends, for Jesus' sake forbear,

To dig the bones enclosed here!

Blest be the man that spares these stones,

And curst be he that moves my bones."

"Good Friends, for Jesus' sake forbear,

To dig the bones enclosed here!

Blest be the man that spares these stones,

And curst be he that moves my bones."