William Shakespeare 15641616

1
William Shakespeare(1564-1616)

• Stratford-upon-Avon, England

2
The Birth of Shakespeare

• William Shakespeare was born on or around April
  23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon
• The register in the Holy Trinity Church in
  Stratford reads Gilelius filius Johannes
  Shakespeare on April 26 for his baptism (usually
  done three days after birth)
• His father was John Shakespeare and his mother
  was Mary Arden
• William was the third of eight children, two of
  whom died in infancy

3
The Genealogy of Shakespeare
4
Early Life

• John Shakespeare, a glover and farmer, is
  believed to have sent William to Stratford
  Grammar School around 1570
• William was withdrawn from school at age 13 due
  to his fathers financial troubles
• In 1582 William, who was then 18, met and fell in
  love with a woman named Anne Hathaway, who was 26
  years old

5
Marriage and Family

• Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in November
  1582, and they had a child, Susanna, in May 1583
• Twins were born to William and Anne in January of
  1585 Hamnet and Judith, named after close
  friends of William (the Sadlers)
• Shakespeares son Hamnet died of an unknown cause
  at the age of 11 in 1596

6
Lost Years Literary Career

• From 1585-1592, scholars know very little about
  the events of Shakespeares life
• It can be assumed that at some point in the late
  1580s or early 1590s William moved to London to
  begin a career as an actor and a playwright
• The next known reference to Shakespeare is by a
  playwright named Robert Greene who referred to
  him in 1592 as an upstart crowin his own
  conceit is the only Shake-scene in the country

7
London

• By 1595, Shakespeare began to act with a company
  called the Lord Chamberlains Men
• As the sixteenth century ended, Shakespeare
  became the principal writer for the group, while
  Richard Burbage was the principal actor
• The Chamberlains Men competed with other groups
  for Londons theatre-going audience, such as the
  Admirals Men and the Queens Men

8
The Famous Men of 1600

• Christopher Marlowe Richard Burbage
  William Shakespeare
• writer for Admirals Men most famous actor
  writer for Lord
• 
  Chamberlains Men Chamberlains Men

9
London Theatres

• In the 1590s, London was inundated with
  playhouses. Some examples are the Swan, the Rose,
  the Fortune, and the Curtain.
• The first theatre to open in London was simply
  called The Theatre.
• The Chamberlains Men used the Theatre, but had
  to relocate in 1598 when their lease from James
  Burbage (R. Burbages father) expired.
• Shakespeare and the Chamberlains Men tore down
  the building and moved in across the Thames
  River, reopening it in 1599 as

10
The Globe

• The Chamberlains Men created the Globe in 1599
  and it became the most successful London
  playhouse
• Scholars knowledge of the Globe and other is
  based on this sketch by a 1596 visitor to a
  London playhouse
• The seats surrounded the stage on almost all
  sides by three levels seating was based on
  social status
• Richer people could afford the higher seats and
  would literally look down on those who stood by
  the stage to watch the playthey were called
  groundlings.

11
Globe (cont)

• The type of play being performed was symbolized
  by the flag above the theatre a red flag
  signified a history, white a comedy, and black a
  tragedy
• Only men were permitted to perform in plays (men
  played womens and mens parts)
• All plays had to be examined by the Queen, and in
  certain cases entire scenes had to be removed
  from the play

12
Globe (cont)

• The first Globe theatre burned to the ground on
  July 28, 1613 during a cannon shot for the play
  Henry VIII
• A new Globe was built in 1614, and remained in
  existence until 1644, when the Puritans destroyed
  it completely
• No Globe theater was opened again in London until
  1997, only 200 yards from the original location
• The Globe bore the phrase totus mundus
  histrionem (all the worlds a stage) and
  featured the mythological Atlas bearing the earth
  upon his shoulders

13
Shakespeare-Last Years

• William Shakespeare retired to Stratford in 1610,
  having amassed a fortune from his years as a
  playwright
• In 1616, he is believed to have died of an
  illness that caused him to shake involuntarily
  (as evidenced by his autograph)
• He died April 23, 1616, and is buried at Holy
  Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon

14
Shakespeares Grave Curse

• Shakespeare left a curse on his grave at Holy
  Trinity Church, and it is still visible to
  visitors

15
Shakespeares Ring?

• In 1810, a gold signet ring with the initials
  W.S. was found in a field near Holy Trinity
  Church, clearly from the Elizabethan time period
• Some scholars believe this ring is indeed a
  priceless possession of Shakespeare himself

16
Shakespeares Influence

• William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the
  greatest English author in history
• His influence upon the language and culture of
  England and all Western nations is immeasurable
• His works are studied in nearly every country and
  have been translated into nearly every language