Shakespeare

The life and times of the world’s most famous writer.

His Life

William Shakespeare Born in Stratford-upon-Avon April 23, 1564 Father John Shakespeare, glove maker

and government official Mother Mary Arden, comes from affluent

family

Had knowledge about Latin and the Bible Educated, but not by England’s standards

His Family

At 18, marries Anne Hathaway

She was 26

She was pregnant when they married with Susanna

They had two more children, twins named Hamnet, and Judith

1596 Hamnet dies at age 11

His Career Starting acting in 1592 with Richard Burbage 1595 begins writing sonnets 1599 Shakespeare and the Lord

Chamberlain’s Men Company financed the Globe Theater

6 of his plays were performed for Queen Elizabeth’s court

His authorship was questioned by many Retired in 1610 Died on April 23rd, 1616

The Globe Theater

Shakespeare's plays were performed at various venues throughout his career.

The Globe Theatre in the Southwark district of London was the venue at which his best known stage works (including his four great tragedies) were first produced.

The Globe was built 1599 by Cuthbert Burbage, the brother of the most famous Shakespearean actor of the Elizabethan Age, Richard Burbage.

The Globe Cont. Capacity of between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators No lighting All performances at the Globe were conducted, weather

permitting, during the day (probably most often in the mid-afternoon span between 2 P.M.

and 5 P.M.). Because most of the Globe and all of its stage was open air,

acoustics were poor and the actors were compelled by circumstances to shout their lines, stress their enunciation, and engage in exaggerated theatrical gestures.

Completely devoid of background scenery. Costumes and props were utilized There was no proscenium arch, no curtains, and no

stagehands other than the actors themselves. Changes of scene were indicated explicitly or implicitly in the

speeches and narrative situations that Shakespeare wrote into the text of the plays.

The Globe Cont.

Located on the south side of the Thames River in the Southwark district.

Part of what might be called the "sporting district" (if not the "red light district") of Greater London.

Although condemned by London authorities, along with cock-fighting, bear-baiting and the bawdy attractions of taverns, the Southwark theater district operated outside the legal reach of the City's officials.

The Globe Cont.-The Audience

“Groundlings” stood for the duration of the play on the ground in front of the stage.

More affluent guests sat in the various tiers with or without a cushion (depending on wealth and stature).

No plumbing Open to the elements