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Born: April, 1564
Died: April, 1616
Grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon
The Basics
Shakespeare’s Family
Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 at age 18
Children
Susanna (born in 1583)
Judith and Hamnet (twins, born in 1585)
By 1592, Shakespeare was a prominent actor and
playwright in London
By 1594, he was a main actor and shareholder for
the acting company, Lord Chamberlain’s Men
Life in London
1599: Shakespeare’s company built the Globe Theatre
Located across the River Thames from London
Burned down in 1613 and rebuilt in the same spot
Saw the writing of: Othello, King Lear, Hamlet, Macbeth
Life in London
Shakespeare’s company presented their plays at Court, at
universities, in private houses, etc.
Theatres were only first built in London right before Shakespeare wrote his first plays
Two types of theatres
Outdoor or Public Playhouses (large audiences)
1st outdoor theatre called Theatre and built by James Burbage, father of Richard Burbage
Indoor or Private Theatres (small audiences)
Shakespeare’s Theatre
Shakespeare’s Theatre
Outdoor
Audiences packed in tightly
Groundlings stood in the yard where there was no roof
For an extra cost, audiences could sit or stand in the levels
around the theatre
No curtain or lights to signify end of scene or act
Women’s roles played by boys
Shakespeare’s Theatre
Shakespeare wrote 3 kinds of plays:
Comedies
As You Like It; A Midsummer Night’s Dream;
Much Ado About Nothing; The Taming of the Shrew; Twelfth
Night
Tragedies
Romeo and Juliet; Hamlet; King Lear; Macbeth; Othello
Histories
Shakespeare’s Plays
