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William Shakespeare. Interesting Facts and Information. The Life of Shakespeare. Born in 1564 Born and Died in Stratford upon Avon, England Grammar School Education only Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 Had three children. Shakespeare the Playwright. Known for his writings and imagination
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William Shakespeare Interesting Facts and Information
The Life of Shakespeare • Born in 1564 • Born and Died in Stratford upon Avon, England • Grammar School Education only • Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 • Had three children
Shakespeare the Playwright • Known for his writings and imagination • Wrote plays to be performed, not read • Wrote themes, characters, and issues to please his audiences and the monarch
Shakespeare’s Theatre • Partial Owner of the Globe • Used prologues and epilogues to paint pictures and set scenes • Most performances were in the afternoon because of the light
Theatre during the 1590’s • Playgoers selected plays by the flags flown over the theatres: Red = History White = Comedy Black = Tragedy
Theatres continued… • Plays were banned from the city of London to the outskirts • Companies of actors often presented plays hastily written and hastily memorized • Puritans eventually succeeded in closing all the theatres in 1644
Elizabethan Theatres • Admission money placed in a box (Box Office) • All actors were men • “Groundlings” stood in front of the stage in an area called “the pit” and paid the lowest price • Higher class people sat on benches in “galleries” • No restrooms • No intermissions
Elizabethan Theatre cont… • The audience often talked back or threw food at the actors!
Elizabethan Theatre cont… • Used very few props • Relied on scripts and costumes to set the scene and atmosphere • Actors were required to be good dancers, orators, swordsmen, singers, memorizers, imitators, dramatists, comedians, and jugglers.
Miscellaneous Info • Christopher Marlow and Ben Johnson were more famous playwrights during Shakespeare’s day. • Elizabeth I was on the throne of England when Shakespeare was born (and during the beginning of his career) • James I was on the throne when Shakespeare died (He was responsible for the King James Version of the Bible.)
Why do we still study Shakespeare? • Written for and about people on all levels of society • Universal understanding of the human condition • Very contemporary • Rich imagination
Relevant Themes • War • Power • Dysfunctional families • Romantic love • Jealousy • Passion • Political Ambition • Violence
Shakespeare’s Popular Plays • Hamlet • Romeo and Juliet • The Merchant of Venice • A Midsummer Night’s Dream • King Henry V • King Lear • Macbeth • Othello
Famous Phrases Coined by Shakespeare • “All that glitters is not gold” –The Merchant of Venice • “Break the ice” –The Taming of the Shrew • “Dead as a doornail” -2 Henry VI • “Fancy-free” -Midsummer Night’s Dream • “Full Circle” –King Lear • “Give the devil his due” –1 Henry VI • “Good riddance” –Troilus and Cressida
Famous Phrases Coined by Shakespeare • “It was Greek to me” –Julius Caesar • “Heart of gold” –Henry V • “Kill with kindness” –Taming of the Shrew • “Knock knock! Who’s there?” –Macbeth • “Lie low” –Much Ado About Nothing • “Love is blind” –The Merchant of Venice • “Own flesh and blood” –Hamlet • “Something wicked this way comes” -Macbeth
Shakespeare in Love * There is no historical record of the love affair depicted in this movie. * Remember…he was a married during this time in his life. * Records also indicate that Shakespeare was not short on cash around this time.
