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Explore the fascinating life and historical context of William Shakespeare, from his humble beginnings in Stratford to his renowned career as a playwright. Discover the Reformation, Tudor England, and the legacy of the Bard.
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William Shakespeare Life and Times
Christened: 26 April 1564 • Died: 23 April 1616 • Birthday celebrated 23 April • His grandfather was a tenant farmer • His father John Shakespeare was a glovemaker and leatherworker • His mother was Mary Arden
Was allowed to go to a free grammar school • Went on to a higher school, but never university • At age 18, 1582, he married Anne Hathaway • First child Susannah, 1583 • Twins, Judith and Hamnet, 1585 • Drops out of all public records for 7 years
The “lost years,” 1585-1592 • Was Shakespeare a recusant? • John Shakespeare’s profession of faith • Catholic connection between Stratford and Lancashire • William Shakeshafte • Other Evidence
In London • Robert Greene’s Groatsworth of Wit • Other London playwrights • By 1592 he had made his mark as a playwright • Never saw his plays through the press • Plays were the property of playhouses • “Memorial reconstruction”
Playhouses • James Burbage built the first: the Theatre • The Curtain soon sprang up • The Globe • Shakespeare a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men • Wrote on average 2 plays a year for public performance • Private theatres • Performed before Queen Elizabeth 3 times a year
The Globe Theatre (Wenceslaus Hollar, 1647)
Visscher’s long view of London: Bankside and playhouses (1616)
The King’s Men • When Queen Elizabeth died, Shakespeare became a member of the King’s Men • Played 13 or 14 times a year • Acquired an indoor theatre, Blackfriars • Rivals were the Admiral’s Men • Their best actor was Edward Alleyn • Henslowe and his “Diary”
Later Years • In 1597 he bough the second best house in Stratford • Received a coat of arms for his father • Retired from the stage and lived his last years in Stratford • Died in 1616
The First Folio • In 1623 was produced by his actor friends • Some plays had been published in Quarto form • Some quartos are good, some bad • Some plays exist only in the First Folio
The Historical Context I. The Reformation
The Reformation • Luther in Germany (1483-1546) • Calvin in Geneva (1509-1572) • Zwingli in Zurich (1484-1531) • John Knox in Scotland (1512-1572)
Reformation principles • Advocated: • General use and authority of the Scriptures • Justification by faith alone • Repudiated: • Doctrine of Transubstantiation • Worship of the Virgin Mary • Supremacy of the Pope
Historical Context Tudor England
Tudor Monarchs • Refers to monarchs from 1485-1603 • Henry VII • Henry VIII • Edward VI • Mary I • Elizabeth I • Centralized or Absolute monarchy • Their claim to the throne was shaky
