IntroducingIntroducing

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

The Man, The Myth, and The The Man, The Myth, and The LegendLegend

Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England in 1564in 1564

Current ruler: Queen Elizabeth I (her Current ruler: Queen Elizabeth I (her 66thth year of rule at the time) year of rule at the time)

Christened on April 26, his actual day Christened on April 26, his actual day of birth is unknownof birth is unknown

FamilyFamily

Son of John and Mary Arden Son of John and Mary Arden ShakespeareShakespeare

John Shakespeare was a glovemaker, John Shakespeare was a glovemaker, an alderman, and served as mayor an alderman, and served as mayor for some time. for some time.

Towards the end of his life he lost Towards the end of his life he lost most of his money.most of his money.

His lifeHis life

William went to a very good grammar school. William went to a very good grammar school. In 1582, at age 18, he married Anne In 1582, at age 18, he married Anne

Hathaway, who was 7 or 8 years older then Hathaway, who was 7 or 8 years older then him.him.

It is thought that they may have been It is thought that they may have been unhappy together.unhappy together.

Their 1Their 1stst daughter Susanna was born in 1583 daughter Susanna was born in 1583 and their twins Judith and Hamnet were born and their twins Judith and Hamnet were born in 1585. in 1585.

Yet his only son Hamnet died at age 11.Yet his only son Hamnet died at age 11.

CareerCareer

By 1592 Shakespeare was known as By 1592 Shakespeare was known as an actor and playwright, at age 28.an actor and playwright, at age 28.

Between 1592 and 1594 most Between 1592 and 1594 most theaters were closed due to the theaters were closed due to the outbreak of the plague which killed outbreak of the plague which killed thousands. During this time he wrote thousands. During this time he wrote sonnets. sonnets.

TheaterTheater

What do you think of when you think What do you think of when you think of the word ‘theater’? of the word ‘theater’?

Movies? Movies? The city- New York, Philadelphia, etc.The city- New York, Philadelphia, etc.Fancy Dress- suits, gowns, etc.Fancy Dress- suits, gowns, etc.Expensive tickets.Expensive tickets.Very quiet, no food or drink, very Very quiet, no food or drink, very

serious.serious.

Shakespeare’s TheaterShakespeare’s Theater

The family The Burbages ran most of The family The Burbages ran most of the theaters in at the time. the theaters in at the time.

In 1598 he built the famous Globe In 1598 he built the famous Globe Theater. Shakespeare owned shares in Theater. Shakespeare owned shares in the theater. the theater.

Where was the Globe located?Where was the Globe located? It was actually outside of London, It was actually outside of London,

across London Bridge, called across London Bridge, called “Southwark.”“Southwark.”

SouthwarkSouthwark

What else was located in this area?What else was located in this area? People went there for entertainment.People went there for entertainment. BearbaitingBearbaiting Brothels (there were over 100 here in the Brothels (there were over 100 here in the

year 1600)year 1600) How did people get to Southwark?How did people get to Southwark? It was located outside of London over It was located outside of London over

London Bridge. London Bridge. So they had to take the ferry or walk over So they had to take the ferry or walk over

the bridge. the bridge.

Cost of getting thereCost of getting there

How much was a ferry ride?How much was a ferry ride?

A lot!A lot!

How much did it cost to walk over the How much did it cost to walk over the bridge?bridge?

Nothing! Nothing!

So which did people choose?So which did people choose?

The bridge!The bridge!

Theater AtmosphereTheater Atmosphere

What would you see walking over the What would you see walking over the bridge?bridge?

Heads on Spikes!!! (not a very classy Heads on Spikes!!! (not a very classy walk to the theater.)walk to the theater.)

How much did it cost to get into a How much did it cost to get into a show?show?

1 penny!1 penny!• How much did a beer cost?How much did a beer cost?

• 1 penny!!!1 penny!!!

Theater AtmosphereTheater Atmosphere

Who attended the theater?Who attended the theater?Everyone! Everyone! Except – The Queen – she had private Except – The Queen – she had private

plays at court.plays at court.Who sat where?Who sat where? The stadium seats were more The stadium seats were more

expensive because they were expensive because they were somewhat protected from the somewhat protected from the weather- rain, heat, etc. weather- rain, heat, etc.

The Globe (restored)The Globe (restored)

Sketch of insideSketch of inside

Theater AtmosphereTheater Atmosphere

The Theater was open to the sky The Theater was open to the sky much like today's stadiums. much like today's stadiums.

The cheapest ‘seats’ were standing The cheapest ‘seats’ were standing room on the floor in front of the room on the floor in front of the stage, called the ‘pit’ area.stage, called the ‘pit’ area.

The poor were the ones standing and The poor were the ones standing and they were called ‘the groundlings.’ they were called ‘the groundlings.’

The Gallery AreaThe Gallery Area

The Groundling PitThe Groundling Pit

Theater AtmosphereTheater Atmosphere Plays could only be performed during the daytime Plays could only be performed during the daytime

so there was light.so there was light. A flag hung above the door of The Globe to let A flag hung above the door of The Globe to let

people know that there was a play that day and people know that there was a play that day and what type it was. A different color represented what type it was. A different color represented comedy, tragedy, or history.comedy, tragedy, or history.

Since people would be coming from work, they Since people would be coming from work, they would be tired and in work clothes. would be tired and in work clothes.

Theater was one of there only breaks from hard Theater was one of there only breaks from hard physical labor. physical labor.

The people that they worked for or served were The people that they worked for or served were out of their minds because they were high up out of their minds because they were high up above them and nowhere to be seen. above them and nowhere to be seen.

Carnival AttitudeCarnival Attitude What would it be like there?What would it be like there? Crazy, wild, drunken times!Crazy, wild, drunken times! Why would the courts want people to partake in this?Why would the courts want people to partake in this? What holiday do we have now that is like a carnival?What holiday do we have now that is like a carnival? There used to be Carnival weeks where the lower There used to be Carnival weeks where the lower

classes would drink, sin, eat, etc. classes would drink, sin, eat, etc. The courts allowed this because it calmed the The courts allowed this because it calmed the

masses.masses. They could have that time to run wild and relieve They could have that time to run wild and relieve

stress. stress. Which distracts them from thinking about how Which distracts them from thinking about how

unhappy and mistreated they are. unhappy and mistreated they are. Theater replaced that carnival atmosphere. Theater replaced that carnival atmosphere.

The StageThe Stage

Crowd ControlCrowd Control

Who controlled the performances?Who controlled the performances? The crowd did!The crowd did! The actors and playwright had to please The actors and playwright had to please

the masses.the masses. If they did not like it they would throw If they did not like it they would throw

food, boo, hiss, and talk during the play.food, boo, hiss, and talk during the play. The actors often spoke directly to the The actors often spoke directly to the

audience, created characters that they audience, created characters that they could bond with, made fun of authority could bond with, made fun of authority figures to please them, and include them figures to please them, and include them in the interaction of the play. in the interaction of the play.

Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet

The world is full of rivalries—among countries, The world is full of rivalries—among countries, families, schools, even groups of friends. families, schools, even groups of friends. Occasionally, rivalries become so fierce that the Occasionally, rivalries become so fierce that the members of one group refuse to associate with members of one group refuse to associate with their rivals. In extreme cases, as you will see in their rivals. In extreme cases, as you will see in this play, rivalries can even erupt into violence. this play, rivalries can even erupt into violence.

Shakespeare based his play about star-crossed Shakespeare based his play about star-crossed lovers from fueding Italian families on a poem lovers from fueding Italian families on a poem published in 1562 by Arthur Brooke. Brooke’s published in 1562 by Arthur Brooke. Brooke’s 3,000 line poem has a highlu moral tone: 3,000 line poem has a highlu moral tone: disobedience, as well as fate, leads to the deaths disobedience, as well as fate, leads to the deaths of the two lovers. His poem was based on a of the two lovers. His poem was based on a French version of the story written in 1559. French version of the story written in 1559.