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Introduction to William Shakespeare

Introduction to William Shakespeare. The Bard of Stratford-upon-Avon. Quick Shakespeare Stats. WRITER IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. Young Life. Born in 1564 Baptized Apr 26, 1564 Father: John Shakespeare: glove maker and alderman Married Anne Hathaway He was 18; she was 26

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Introduction to William Shakespeare

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  1. Introduction to William Shakespeare The Bard of Stratford-upon-Avon

  2. Quick Shakespeare Stats WRITER IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

  3. Young Life • Born in 1564Baptized Apr 26, 1564 • Father: John Shakespeare: glove maker and alderman • Married Anne Hathaway • He was 18; she was 26 • They had 3 children together: Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith • Acted in his own plays as well as the plays of contemporaries like Ben Jonson

  4. Famous? • No one really knows when he started acting or writing his own plays… • One of the first known mentions of Shakespeare was actually in a criticism • He was a respected playwright in his day… BUT • He did not rise to prominence until the 19th century… 300 years after the time he was actually writing. • He wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets—that we know of • Was a writer an actor in London, but a respected businessman in Stratford

  5. Patrons • The idea of a “poor starving actor/writer” is not a new one • Shakespeare, and many playwrights of his day, had patrons to please • Specifically, the head honchos: the monarchs of England • Elizabeth I (Elizabethan Age) • James I (Jacobean Age)

  6. Performance • Shakespeare’s theaters were not quite as sophisticated as ours are today • They did not have modern lighting; plays were put on only during the day to utilize sunlight • Theaters were open, for the same reason as above • There was only “seating” for those who were wealthy enough to afford it • Farmers and peasants stood during shows and were called “groundlings” • Shakespeare wrote for EVERYONE!

  7. Theaters • The Theatre: second theater built in London • The Globe: Built from the timbers of The Theatre after a dispute with the landlord

  8. Comedies, Tragedies, Histories • Shakespeare’s plays can be categorized into these three main genres • Comedies • Usually about a misunderstanding; ends with a (or many) wedding(s) • Tragedies • Pretty much everyone dies; tragic flaw/hero • Histories • Based on real events and/or people

  9. Clips • Shakespeare’s plays are still relevant today! • Romeo & Juliet (2013) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6AN7A9jOiE Much Ado About Nothing (2013) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnmZc8uoEbo

  10. Were You Paying Attention? • When was Shakespeare born? • What was his father’s profession? • Who was his wife? • Who were his two most important patrons? • What was the Globe Theatre made from? • What were the people called who stood and watched the play? • What were the 3 genres of plays he wrote? • Who did Shakespeare write for?

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