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The Life and Works of William Shakespeare: A Journey Through Time

William Shakespeare, born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, remains one of the most influential playwrights in history. Despite never giving an interview or penning an autobiography, his legacy lives on through masterpieces like "Romeo and Juliet." After marrying Anne Hathaway and having three children, he left for London to pursue a career as an actor and playwright. His works reflect a deep understanding of the human experience, ranging from comedies to tragedies, often performing for royalty. Shakespeare's storytelling continues to resonate, shaping literature and theater.

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The Life and Works of William Shakespeare: A Journey Through Time

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  1. William Shakespeare

  2. The Life and Times of Shakespeare! • Born April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon (in England), died April 23, 1616 • Never gave a single interview or wrote an autobiography • Father was a prominent mayor • Joined a famous acting group (Lord Chamberlain’s Men): wrote Romeo and Juliet for this group

  3. Family Life • 1582: married Anne Hathaway at age 18; she was 26! • 1585: Couple had twins (in addition to older sister Susanna), Judith and Hamnet (Hamnet died before reaching adulthood • Between 1585 and 1592, Shakespeare left his family and moved to London to become an actor and playwright

  4. Career • He was not concerned with making books-wanted his plays to be performances • Wrote his plays fast (he wrote 2 plays a year) • Only got paid once for each play-no royalties • Queen Elizabeth I loved Shakespeare’s plays. He wrote and performed several just for her. • Romeo and Juliet was written in the mid-1590s

  5. Career • Shakespeare started an acting company called The King’s Men, which performed for King James I. • Unlike many theater people, Shakespeare earned a good living; by 1599, he owned part of the Globe Theatre, one of the newest, trendiest theaters in London

  6. Theatre Life • Early Theatre • Being an actor was illegal • Noble men would employ men to be actors who traveled on a wagon • Could not be arrested because they were servants of the noble men

  7. The Globe • 1 penny=standing spot slightly below the stage, no roof (groundlings) • 2 pennies=gallery seat with a roof • 3 pennies gets you a seat with a cushion!

  8. The Globe Actors • Leading men • No women • Boys who did not hit puberty…got fired after voice changed • Women had less lines because the children played the roles

  9. Play types-Comedy • The thinking person’s response to an experience • About social groups and types-characters should not develop • When the funny runs out, or a character changes, he usually dies • Popular trends-mistaken identity, randomness, surprise • Greek comedies end happily • English comedies end in marriage

  10. Play types-Tragedy • Records the responses of a person with feelings • Shows great strength, high degree of character development • Focuses on one character, usually named in the title • English tradition says they must end in death

  11. Play types-Historical • Contain elements of comedy and tragedy • 10 total history plays • Covers English history from the 12th -16th centuries • Each one is named after and focuses on the reigning monarch of the time

  12. Shakespeare today Twelfth Night 10 Things I Hate about You The Lion King Romeo and Juliet O (Othello) Gnomeo and Juliet

  13. Life in the 1500s • Daily Life • Bathing was considered a health risk. (May=yearly bath) • Most houses had thatched roofs and dirt floors • Common foods=vegetables, porridge, and bread. Meat was a delicacy • Religion • Almost everyone was Christian • Official state religion=Church of England • Everyone was required to go to church at least once a month

  14. Life in the 1500s • Marriage and Dating: • Boys could marry at age 14, girls at 12 (Romeo: 14, Juliet: 13) • Considered foolish to marry for love (arranged marriages) • Children were considered property of their parents • School • Only boys went to school (7a.m.-5p.m.) • Entertainment • Gossip, tennis, attending the theatre, singing, dancing, embroidery, taking lessons…

  15. Romeo and Juliet Background • Setting: Verona, Italy (14th century) Montagues Capulets Lord and Lady Montague Lord and Lady Capulet Romeo-Montague’s son Juliet-Capulet’s daughter Benvolio-Romeo’s cousin Tybalt-Juliet’s cousin Balthasar-servant to Romeo Nurse-Juliet’s nanny Abram-servant to Montague Peter-Nurse’s servant

  16. Character List (con’t.) Apothecary-druggist Count Paris-young nobleman related to the Prince, sometimes called Paris or the County Friar John-local priest Mercutio-Romeo’s friend, related to the Prince Prince Escalus-ruler of Verona

  17. Romeo and Juliet Background • The Montagues and Capulets are deadly enemies; engage in bloody duels • Fate plays a role • Story begins with Romeo pining for Rosaline • Themes to look for: • Search for identity • Forcefulness of love • Individual vs. society • Inevitability of fate

  18. Romeo and Juliet Background Climax: Act III Rising Action: Act II Falling Action : Act IV Exposition: Act I Resolution: Act V

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