DO NOW: THINK BACK TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. WHAT

DO YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE?

William Shakespeare

Who is Shakespeare? (Early Life)

It is believed that Shakespeare was born on April 23rd 1564.

Father: John Shakespeare-Leather merchant

Mother: Mary ArdenVery little is actually known about his

early childhood education. What does Shakespeare’s mysterious life do to his works?

Who is Shakespeare? (Adult Life)

Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. Together they had three children:

Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith.

Hamnet died at the age of 11 of unknown causes.

Early Career

In 1592 Robert Greene wrote a critique of Shakespeare’s writing. (first evidence)

By 1597 Shakespeare had published 15 of his 37 plays.

In 1599 he established the Globe Theatre.

What does Shakespeare’s vast number of works say about him?

Writing Style

Shakespeare wrote his plays primarily in Blank Verse.

Blank Verse: Unrhymed verse having a regular meter, usually of iambic pentameter.

Iambic pentameter: five iambs (unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable) in one line.

Ex: ConNECT, DeFINE, SuBLIME

Sonnets

Sonnet: a form of poetry written in 14 lines.

Shakespeare constructed his sonnets in three four-line stanzas and a final rhyming couplet.

Rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef gg http://www.examples10.com/e/shakespearean-sonnets/

Types of Plays

Tragedy: the protagonist usually dies or suffers sorrow in the end due to moral weakness or a flaw.

Comedy: end in happily where young couples find love. The plays are written in a light-hearted tone.

What are the benefits of these two types of plays?

Shakespeare’s Death

It is believed Shakespeare died on April 5th 1616.

There is much controversy over whether or not Shakespeare actually wrote his plays.

Shakespeare did not receive much acclaim until the 19th century.