Shakespeare and the 1500s

1. Shakespeare and the 1500s

2. William Shakespeare • One of the great mysteries of English drama is that so little is known for sure about the most famous playwright of all time. • Shakespeare’s exact birth date is unknown, but he was baptized on April 26, 1554. • His parents, John and Mary, were considered well-off. John was a prosperous merchant and Mary was the daughter of a successful farmer.

3. William Shakespeare • He studied Latin and literature at a prestigious school. • In 1582, he married Anne Hathaway, a woman eight years his senior! • They had three children: a daughter, Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judeth.

4. William Shakespeare • Shakespeare left his family and moved to London to pursue his acting and writing career. • In 1599 he joined other actors and built the Globe Theatre, where most of his plays were produced.

5. William Shakespeare • In 1611, at the height of his fame and popularity, Shakespeare moved back to Startford with his family. • He continued to write and travel until his death in 1616.

6. Fun Facts About Bill • Shakespeare is known as “The Bard,” because the word “bard” means “poet.” • Shakespeare lived through the Black Death, a plague that killed over 33,000 people in London alone. • Shakespeare’s family were all illiterate. • Many historians suspect that Shakespeare did not write all of his plays. • We really do not know what Shakespeare looked like—not one painting was composed while he was still alive.

7. More Fun Facts • The only mention that Shakespeare specifically makes of his wife in his will was to leave her his “second best bed.” • Shakespeare’s grandchildren all died—he had no descendents! • Shakespeare is responsible for over 1700 words that we use each day.

8. Life in the 1500s • The age of Shakespeare was a great time in English history. The reign of Queen Elizabeth I saw England emerge as a leading power of the western world.

9. Life in the 1500s • London was a center of commerce and culture—the place to be! • The population grew and the economy boomed.

10. Daily Life • Baths were taken only a few times a year—men had the privilege of using the water first, then women, and finally children. • Houses had thatched roofs—thick straw with no wood underneath. Animals used it as a warm spot—hence, “it’s raining cats and dogs.”

11. Daily Life • Typical homes had dirt floors and little luxuries. • Meat was considered a delicacy and was not eaten very often. Common foods included vegetables, porridge, and bread.

12. Marriage and Dating • Boys could marry at age 14, girls at 12. (Romeo is 14, Juliet is 13). • It was considered foolish to marry for love, as arranged marriages were the custom. • Children were considered the property of their parents!

13. Religion • Almost everyone in Elizabethan England was a Christian. • Official state religion = Church of England. • Everyone was required to go to church.

14. Education & Entertainment • Only boys went to school… from 7 AM to 5 PM, 5 days a week. • Things to do for fun: gossip, tennis, attend the theatre, singing, dancing, embroidery, taking lessons…