William William ShakespeareShakespeare

What you need to know for What you need to know for Mr. Johnson’s class before Mr. Johnson’s class before reading Romeo & Juliet reading Romeo & Juliet

Shakespeare is probably Shakespeare is probably the greatest playwright the greatest playwright of all time! of all time!

He wrote 37 plays and He wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets and other 154 sonnets and other poems too. poems too.

Shakespeare's works Shakespeare's works have been translated have been translated into every major living into every major living language, and his plays language, and his plays are continually are continually performed all around the performed all around the world. In addition, many world. In addition, many quotations from his quotations from his plays have passed into plays have passed into everyday usage in everyday usage in English and other English and other languages. Over the languages. Over the years, many people have years, many people have speculated about speculated about Shakespeare's life, Shakespeare's life, raising questions about raising questions about his sexuality, religious his sexuality, religious affiliation, and the affiliation, and the authorship of his works. authorship of his works.

The beginning The beginning Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon

on April 23, 1564. At least we think so!!on April 23, 1564. At least we think so!! His parents were John Shakespeare, a His parents were John Shakespeare, a

successful glover Snitterfield, and of Mary successful glover Snitterfield, and of Mary Arden. Arden.

We know that the KingWe know that the King’’s New Grammar School s New Grammar School taught boys basic reading and writing. We taught boys basic reading and writing. We assume William attended this school since it assume William attended this school since it existed to educate the sons of Stratford but we existed to educate the sons of Stratford but we have no definite proof. Likewise a lack of have no definite proof. Likewise a lack of evidence suggests that William, whose works evidence suggests that William, whose works are studied universally at Universities, never are studied universally at Universities, never attended one himself!attended one himself!

The house on Henley StreetThe house on Henley StreetThis is where Will was born and raised. This is where Will was born and raised.

Anne HathawayAnne Hathaway At 18 years old, Will marries Anne Hathaway, his At 18 years old, Will marries Anne Hathaway, his

pregnant girlfriend 8 years his senior. She is 26. pregnant girlfriend 8 years his senior. She is 26.

No, that’s not really the Anne Will married, but maybe it will help you remember her.

William and Anne had three children together. The first was Susana, then twins, but one of the twins, Hamnet, died at 11.

Will was kind of a jerk to his wife. He left them for many, many years to work in London. And when he died, he only left Anne “his second best bed.”

WillWill’’s Englands England

http://www.pbs.org/shakespeare/http://www.pbs.org/shakespeare/locations/location153.htmllocations/location153.html

Conditions in London-BAD!Conditions in London-BAD!

Thames River Thames River polluted with polluted with raw sewageraw sewage

Trees used up Trees used up for fuelfor fuel

PovertyPoverty

Personal hygiene/healthPersonal hygiene/health

Bathing considered dangerousBathing considered dangerousBody odor strongBody odor strongChildhood diseasesChildhood diseasesChildren often died before 5 yearsChildren often died before 5 yearsSmall PoxSmall PoxBubonic PlagueBubonic Plague

Living ConditionsLiving Conditions

No running No running waterwater

Chamber Chamber PotsPots

Open SewersOpen SewersCrowdedCrowded

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ClothesClothes

One set used all One set used all year long, rarely year long, rarely washedwashed

Underclothing slept Underclothing slept in, infrequently in, infrequently changedchanged

Clothes handed Clothes handed down from rich to down from rich to poorpoor

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Theater in LondonTheater in London

Performed in Performed in courtyards of innscourtyards of inns

The Theater-first The Theater-first public theater-1576public theater-1576

Daytime/open airDaytime/open air Limited set designLimited set design Relied on music, Relied on music,

sound, costumes, sound, costumes, props and great props and great descriptiondescription

The GlobeThe Globe

Built in 1599Built in 1599Across the Thames- Across the Thames- ““Wrong side of Wrong side of

towntown””KingKing’’s Players - Shakespeares Players - Shakespeare’’s s

companycompanyPenny admissionPenny admission

ActorsActors

All menAll men Female parts Female parts

played by young played by young boysboys

No actual kissing No actual kissing or hugging on or hugging on stagestage

The groundlingThe groundling

Poor audience Poor audience membermember

Stood around stage Stood around stage in in ““the pitthe pit””

Women not allowed Women not allowed (had to dress up as (had to dress up as men to attend)men to attend)

Threw rotten Threw rotten vegetables at bad vegetables at bad performancesperformances

““Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet””

TragedyTragedy Written in 1595Written in 1595 Set in Verona, ItalySet in Verona, Italy Themes: parental Themes: parental

control/rebellious control/rebellious teens; fate/freewill; teens; fate/freewill; impulsive impulsive behavior/self-control behavior/self-control

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PlayPlay’’s sources source

Borrowed from a Borrowed from a poem by Brooke-poem by Brooke-15621562

Poem found in Poem found in French translation French translation by Brookeby Brooke

Shakespeare gave Shakespeare gave story new life and story new life and beautybeauty

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