William ShakespeareI. Early life

A. William Shakespeare was born in the year 1564.

B. His parents’ names were Mary and John Shakespeare.

1. Shakespeare’s father was a prosperous merchant.2. His father also served a term as the town’s mayor.3. Mr. Shakespeare’s social status allowed William to

receive a good education.

EducationII. Education

A. William attended Stratford Grammar School until

he was 14.B. He studied subjects including Latin and

Greek along with British and world history.C. Shakespeare incorporated the knowledge he learned in school into many of his plays.

Family LifeIII. Family Life

A. Shakespeare married a woman named Anne Hathaway.

B. He married at age 18, and his wife was 8 years older than he.

C. Shakespeare had 3 children.1. His first daughter, Susanna, was born in 1583.2. His twins, Judith (female) and Hamnet (male) were

born in 1585.

Family Life3. Shakespeare’s son died at the age of 11.

4. He lived in Stratford with his family before moving to London to pursue his career.

Professional LifeIV. Professional Life

A. Shakespeare’s first plays were Titus Andronicus, The Comedy of Errors, and Henry VI.

B. By 1594, Shakespeare had earned a reputation as an actor and was part of a successful acting company called The Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

C. In 1599, Shakespeare became part owner of the famous Globe Theater, where most of his plays were performed.

Professional LifeD. Shakespeare wrote 37 plays. Some of the

most famous included:1. Hamlet2. Macbeth3. Romeo and Juliet4. Othello5. King Lear6. As You Like It

Professional LifeE. When King James VI took the throne,

Shakespeare’s troupe received royal patronage and changed their name to The King’s Men.

F. Shakespeare retired in the year 1610.G. Shakespeare’s plays were published in one

volume in the year 1623, seven years after his death.

The Globe TheaterV. The Globe Theater

A. The theater was built in the year 1599.B. The theater could hold 3,000 spectators.C. Different color flags were flown from the

theater depending on the type of play being performed. 1. Red represented history. 2. Black represented tragedy. 3. White represented comedy.

The Globe TheaterD. Actors changed costumes and rested here and

props were stored in the Tiring House.E. Another name for the main stage was the

apron stage because the audience could sit on three sides.

F. Adolescent boys played the parts of women because women were not allowed on stage.

The Globe TheaterG. Elaborate costumes and detailed setting descriptions

were used instead of scenery.H. Unhappy viewers threw rotten fruits and vegetables at

actors.I. Performances were always given during daylight

hours.J. The theater burned to the ground in the year 1613 and

was rebuilt only to be torn down again in the year 1664.

K. Building a modern day replica of the Globe Theater was an idea inspired by American actor, Sam Wanamaker.

L. It opened for its first full season on June 8, 1997.

Shakespeare’s DeathVI. Shakespeare’s death

A. He died in the year 1616.B. His cause of death is unknown.