Introduction to Shakespeare

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Introduction to Shakespeare
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William Shakespeare 1564-1616

• Most influential writer in the English language
• Most popular playwright in the world
• 4 centuries after his death, he is still very
  popular
• Plays filled with action
• Believable characters
• Thrilling language
• He had a great tolerance, sympathy, and love for
  all people, good or evil

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Humble Beginnings

• Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England on April 23,
  1564
• His family was initially prosperous, but his
  father began having financial difficulties in the
  1570s
• He attended Stratfords Grammar School, but had
  no formal education

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Stratford-upon-Avon
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Shakespeares Birthplace
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• 1582(age 18) married Anne Hathaway (age 26)
• 6 months later they had a daughter, Susanna
• 1585they had twins Hamnet Judith
• 1583-1592-it is unknown what Shakespeare did
• Shakespeares son died at age 11

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• By 1592 Shakespeare was definitely in London
  working as an actor playwright
• Between 1592 1594, plague kept the London
  theaters closed most of the time
• He wrote his earlier sonnets 2 long narrative
  poems

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Shakespeare Prospers

• Until 1598 his theater work was confined to 2
  theaters
• The Theatre
• The Curtain
• Both were managed by James Burbage
• His son Richard was the greatest tragic actor of
  the time

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• Between 1596 1599 Shakespeare the Burbages
  moved across the Thames River and built the Globe
  Theater
• Shakespeare was associated with the Globe for the
  rest of his active life

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• Went on to become the most successful playwright
  of his time
• Bought New Place, the largest house in Stratford
  for his family
• After the death of Queen Elizabeth I, King James
  I followed her to the throne
• King James became a patron of Shakespeares
  company (The Kings Men)

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King James I
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The Scottish Play

• Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in honor of King James
• After 1603 Shakespeare acted little

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Later Years

• In 1610 Shakespeare retired from theater work
  returned to Stratford
• In 1613 the Globe Theater burned
• He shared in the building of the new Globe
• He continued to write until his death
• He died on April 23, 1616 (52nd birthday)
• In 1623, Shakespeares collected plays were
  published

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Shakespeares Works

• 37 plays
• 154 sonnets
• 2 long narrative poems

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Three Types of Plays

• 10 Tragedies
• 17 Comedies
• 10 Histories