Aim:Aim: How will knowing How will knowing background information background information about Shakespeare help about Shakespeare help diminish our fears about diminish our fears about reading one of his worksreading one of his works??

Do NowDo Now: : Groups: BrainstormGroups: Brainstorm – – List as many words & phrases List as many words & phrases that you associate with that you associate with William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

1. EARLY LIFE

Assumed birth April 23, 1564.Assumed birth April 23, 1564.

Born and raised in Stratford-Born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, a upon-Avon, England, a country market town.country market town.

Shakespeare’s Birth PlaceShakespeare’s Birth Place

2. 2. EDUCATION Attended Petty School at age 5 Attended Petty School at age 5

(Learned ABC’s)(Learned ABC’s)

Free Grammar School until the age Free Grammar School until the age of 15 of 15

(Learned Latin and Classics)(Learned Latin and Classics)

Never attended University!Never attended University!

3. MARRIAGE & FAMILY In 1582 – at 18, married In 1582 – at 18, married

Anne Hathaway, who Anne Hathaway, who

was 8 yrs. older and was 8 yrs. older and pregnant.pregnant.

Three children:Three children:

Hamnet died at 11 years old.Hamnet died at 11 years old.

Susanna Hamnet Judith

4. CAREER

Successful Successful actor, playwright, director, and actor, playwright, director, and poet. poet.

Shakespeare acted and staged many of Shakespeare acted and staged many of his own plays. his own plays.

He became a very wealthy manHe became a very wealthy man

4. CAREER

Moved to London Moved to London

Joined an acting company, The Lord Joined an acting company, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men Chamberlain’s Men (During Queen Elizabeth - 1603)(During Queen Elizabeth - 1603)

Later changed to The King’s Men- Later changed to The King’s Men- (During King James I)(During King James I)

5. THEATRE

Shakespeare’s plays were performed in Shakespeare’s plays were performed in royal courts, private homes, churches, royal courts, private homes, churches, playhouses but …playhouses but …

Most of Shakespeare’s plays were Most of Shakespeare’s plays were performed in the open circular theatre, performed in the open circular theatre, called called the Globe.the Globe.

S. also became part owner of the Globe.S. also became part owner of the Globe.

THETHEGLOBE THEATRE GLOBE THEATRE

Thatch RoofThatch Roof- caught fire- caught fire

during Henry VIII (1613)during Henry VIII (1613)

Open YardOpen Yard the audience, the audience,

called the groundlingscalled the groundlings

stood in all weather – paidstood in all weather – paid

a penny in box – “boxa penny in box – “box

office.” They were aoffice.” They were a

bawdy crowdbawdy crowd

Main Stage Main Stage – 4’-5’ high so– 4’-5’ high so

audience could not jump upaudience could not jump up

THETHEGLOBE THEATREGLOBE THEATRE

Flag Flag – black for tragedy,– black for tragedy,

white for comedy, and redwhite for comedy, and red

for history.for history.

Galleries Galleries – 3 covered– 3 covered

sections for additionalsections for additional

PennyPenny

Capacity Capacity - able to house- able to house

two to three thousandtwo to three thousand

peoplepeople

Deconstruction Deconstruction - 30 yrs.- 30 yrs.

after it was rebuilt it was after it was rebuilt it was

torn down.torn down.

1999 Reconstructed 1999 Reconstructed Globe Theatre Globe Theatre

The HeavensThe Heavens – – ceiling over ceiling over stage painted stage painted blue with blue with golden stars.golden stars.

Actual Performance

6. ACTORS Women were not allowed to act on stage.Women were not allowed to act on stage.

Often, young/teenage boys played women roles.Often, young/teenage boys played women roles.

Must perform the role to the fullest.Must perform the role to the fullest.

200 yrs before S., women did perform on stage 200 yrs before S., women did perform on stage and were once again allowed on stage during and were once again allowed on stage during Charles II (1660). Charles II (1660).

7. LATER IN LIFE

Retired from theatre.Retired from theatre.

Moved back to StratfordMoved back to Stratford (1611-1613)(1611-1613)

Bought second largest home in Bought second largest home in Stratford, called “New Place.”Stratford, called “New Place.”

7. Died April 23, 1616

The same date as his supposed birth.The same date as his supposed birth.

Buried in the same Church (Church of the Holy Buried in the same Church (Church of the Holy Trinity) where he was baptized in 1564.Trinity) where he was baptized in 1564.

How old was he when he died? How old was he when he died? (52 yrs.old)

8-9. English Language

Old English (450-1110)Old English (450-1110)

Middle English (1350-1485)Middle English (1350-1485)

Early Modern English (1500-1600) Early Modern English (1500-1600)

Modern English (1550- present)Modern English (1550- present)

                                                eowulf - The Funeral of Scyld Scefing

                                                                                                                   

im ða Scyld gewat to gescæphwile felahror feran on frean wære. Hi hyne þa ætbæron to brimes faroðe, swæse gesiþas, swa he selfa bæd, þenden wordum weold wine Scyldinga; leof landfruma lange ahte.

Old English

Shakespeare’s Gravestone

Good frend for Jesus sake forebeare,

to digg the dust encloased heare,

Bleste be ye man yet spares these stones,

And curst be he yet moves my bones.

Early Modern English

MacbethMacbeth One of Shakespeare’s tragediesOne of Shakespeare’s tragedies First performed between 1605-1606 First performed between 1605-1606 Material probably emanates from violence Material probably emanates from violence

prevalent in 11prevalent in 11thth century Scotland: century Scotland: Assasinations of kingsAssasinations of kings Slaughter of whole armies, nobles and innocent Slaughter of whole armies, nobles and innocent

familiesfamilies Witches and wizards!Witches and wizards!

Nearly four centuries later, Nearly four centuries later,

it still appeals to audiences today.it still appeals to audiences today.

What kind of What kind of dude would dude would Shakespeare Shakespeare be today?be today?

Pairs: Create timeline

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE TIMELINE

Why is Shakespeare’s language a struggle for you?

What do the following mean?

• TMI

• OMG

• EMO

• ???

Summary

What are reasons

that you should

WANT

to read Shakespeare?

Homework

Read Reading Shakespeare’s Language pages xv – xvi

Quiz tomorrow on Shakespeare (classwork & HW reading)