Shakespeare: His Life and Times

1. Shakespeare: His Life and Times Adapted from http://www.public.asu.edu/~muckerrm/English_321_S2005/Introduction.ppt

2. Early Life • (Probably) Born April 23, 1564 • Died April 23, 1616 • Lived in Stratford-upon-Avon, England • He was the 3rd born of 8 children • Parents: • Mary—daughter of wealthy landowner • John—glovemaker, local politician

3. Location of Stratford-upon-Avon From: http://www.where-can-i-find.com/tourist-maps.html

4. Stratford-upon-Avon in Shakespeare’s Time As reproduced in William Rolfe, Shakespeare the Boy (1896).

5. Stratford-upon-Avon Today From Stratford’s web site: http://www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk/index.htm

6. Shakespeare’s Birthplace From: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/danielle.esposito/

7. Education • Thought to have attended King’s New School in Stratford • Left school at age 15 • Educated in: • Rhetoric • Logic • History • Latin

8. King’s New School From: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/danielle.esposito/

9. Married Life • At 18, he married 26 year-old Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time with their first daughter • First daughter was born in 1582 • They had twins in 1585 • Around 1587, they moved to London and William began working in theatre.

10. Anne Hathaway’s Cottage From: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/danielle.esposito/

11. The Poet • He was first a successful poet, and published poetry in 1593 • Two major poems: • Venus and Adonis • Rape of Lucrece • 154 Sonnets • Nickname: The Bard of Avon

12. The Actor • Member and later part-owner of an acting group called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later called the King’s Men • This successful group eventually decided to build a theatre that would bring together the social elite as well as common peasants… THE GLOBE THEATRE!

13. The Playwright • 38 plays firmly attributed to Shakespeare: • 14 comedies • 10 histories • 10 tragedies • 4 romances • Collaborated on several others • Many of his plays were performed at the Globe Theatre

14. The Globe Theatre

15. The Globe Theatre • Built in 1598 by Lord Chamberlain’s Men, with Shakespeare as primary investor • Open-air, octagonal amphitheater that could seat up to 3000 • In 1613, the Globe burned down during a canon fire during Henry VII • It was rebuilt, only to be shut down by the Puritans in 1642 • The new and improved Globe Theatre opened in May 1997 thanks to Queen Elizabeth II!

16. The Rebuilt Globe Theater, London

17. Shakespeare’s Language • Shakespeare did NOT write in “Old English.” • Old English is the language of Beowulf • (written in the 8th century): • “Hwaet! We Gardena in geardagum • Þeodcyninga Þrym gefrunon • Hu ða æÞelingas ellen fremedon!” • (Hey! We have heard of the glory of the Spear-Danes in the old days, the kings of tribes, how noble princes showed great courage!)

18. Shakespeare’s Language • Shakespeare did NOT write in “Middle English.” • Middle English is the language of Chaucer, the Gawain-poet, and Malory (14th century): • We redeth oft and findeth y-write— • And this clerkes wele it wite— • Layes that ben in harping • Ben y-founde of ferli thing… • (Sir Orfeo)

19. Shakespeare’s Language • Shakespeare wrote in • “Early Modern English.” • Shakespeare wrote most of his • works in the late 16th century and • into the early 17th century! • EME wasn’t very different from • “Modern English,” and Shakespeare • helped standardize the style of • today’s language.

20. Shakespeare’s Language • Shakespeare coined many words we still use today: • Critical • Majestic • Dwindle • And quite a few phrases as well: • One fell swoop • Flesh and blood • Vanish into thin air • With bated breath See http://www.wordorigins.org/histeng.htm

21. Historical Context • The Renaissance • -Cultural rebirth of Europe: music, art, lit • -14th - 17th centuries • Elizabethan Age • Named after Queen Elizabeth I • Ruled from 1558 - 1603 • Her love and interest in the arts • influenced the time period

22. Elizabethan Theatrical Conventions

23. Theatrical Conventions • No electricity = daytime only shows • Women forbidden to act on stage • No scene changes • Minimal props & costume These factors influenced the performance.

24. Theatrical Conventions • Soliloquy • Aside • Monologue • Dialogue Types of speech • Blood and gore • Use of supernatural Scare tactics

25. Theatrical Conventions • Use of disguises / mistaken identity • Last speaker—highest in rank (in tragedies) • Multiple murders (in tragedies) • Multiple marriages (in comedies)

26. Theatrical Conventions Ultimately, Shakespeare delivered what would keep the audience intrigued: • Controversial Topics • Humor • Sex / Sexuality • Parties & Celebrations • Deaths & Action