2. Shakespeare’s Life Who is he? William Shakespeare was baptised on 26 April 1564 and died 23 April 1616. His birth date is unknown, but traditionally observed on 23rd April, St George’s Day. He was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. What are some interesting facts about him/his life? Shakespeare was buried in the Holy Trinity Church. He put a curse on anyone daring to move his body from that final resting place. As an actor performing his own plays, Shakespeare performed before Queen Elizabeth I and later before James I who was an enthusiastic patron of his work. Shakespeare was questioned of his sexuality, expressing his love for a young man in several of his works. His family were Catholics, which was against the law at that time. London football club Tottenham were formed in 1882, and originally named after Harry Hotspur - one of Shakespeare's characters in Henry IV
3. Shakespeare’s Life How did Shakespeare become a writer? Shakespeare initially wanted to become an actor. He left Stratford-on-Avon to begin his career as an actor. He worked his way up, first as a gopher, then a prompter, and finally an actor. Luckily, in 1593, the Bubonic plague closed the Theatres of London, and so Shakespeare turned to writing long poems and drama full-time, and decided to become a writer. What was his childhood like? Shakespeare was educated at the King's New School in Stratford, as it was a quarter mile from his home. He went through an intensive education in Latin grammar and the Classics. He was baptized in Stratford-on-Avon, and when he was 18, married 26 year old Anne Hathaway. He bathed once a year in may as hygiene was not important during Shakespeare's childhood.
4. Shakespeare’s Life Did he have a family? Yes, his parents were John and Mary Shakespeare, and he was the third child of eight and the eldest surviving son. At the age of 18, Shakespeare married the 26-year-old Anne Hathaway, and had three children, Susanna, baptised on 26 May 1583 and twins, son Hamnet and daughter Judith, followed almost two years later and were baptised 2 February 1585. Hamnet died of unknown causes at the age of 11 and was buried 11 August 1596. Shakespeare had a granddaughter, Elizabeth Barnard and three other grandchildren, Shakespeare, Richard, and Thomas. Shakespeare Quiney died at six months of age, and neither Richard nor Thomas lived past 21. However Elizabeth was the only grandchild he ever saw, as the other three were born after his death.
5. Shakespeare’s Life Did he have a social status? The Shakespeare family had long sought armorial bearings and the status of gentleman. William's father John, a bailiff of Stratford with a wife of good birth, was eligible for a coat of arms and applied to the College of Heralds, but evidently his worsening financial status prevented him from obtaining it. The application was successfully renewed in 1596, most probably at the instigation of William himself as he was the more prosperous at the time. What inspired him to write? He was inspired by other writers such as Geoffery Chaucer and used many plots borrowed from many great writers that inspired him. Why were his plays well received? He was popular and his plays were exciting and interesting, therefore they were well received.
6. England in Shakespeare’s time What was England like in Shakespearian time? England in his time was known was the Elizabethan era, considered to be the golden age in English history, where it was the height of the English Renaissances. It saw the flowering of English poetry, music, literature and art. Music was in its renaissances-baroque period. People also played sports and watched plays as entertainment.
7. England in Shakespeare’s time What were some of the significant historical events that affected England during this period? England had three big epidemics during Shakespeare’s time. The epidemics were plagues, like a flu which was very easy to catch. The first plague went around from 1592-1594. This was when Shakespeare was about 30 years old and when he was writing poems and performing plays. The second plague happened when Shakespeare was old, going from 1603 to 1604. The final plague was 7 years after Shakespeare died. The Spanish Armanda was an important event, in which the English defeated their rivals, the Spanish.
8. England in Shakespeare’s time Who ruled the monarchy during this period? Henry VIII ruled as King of England, and had six wives, and had three children, Edward VI, Elizabeth I and Mary I. His was succeeded by Edward VI, who died at a young age, and was succeeded by Lady Jane Grey, his cousin, but ruled for only 9 days before being taken over by Mary I, and finally Elizabeth I, who ruled for 44 years, thus known as the Elizabethan era, and was the ruler and Queen of England during Shakespeare’s time.
9. England in Shakespeare’s time Did the people in power impact or influence Shakespeare’s work? No. What was the social system like during these years? The Nobility, being the highest class that had a duke, baron or an earl, followed by the gentry such as knights, gentleman, gentlewoman, the Yeomanry which were the “middle class” and finally, at the bottom, the poor.
10. England in Shakespeare’s time What were the theatres like in that era? In Shakespeare’s time there were no female actors. This was because acting was not considered an honourable job, so no woman would be seen doing such a thing. The role of women had to be played by young boys who had not gone through puberty. The plays of this period of time were very last minute. Some actors received their lines just before the play. Some even got them as they were performing. Theatres attracted audiences both young and old, and many of them would “boo” at the bad characters and cheer on the good ones, providing a form of entertainment. How did the set up affect the plays that Shakespeare presented? The public theatres were three stories high, and built around an open space at the centre. Usually polygonal in plan to give an overall rounded effect, three levels of inward-facing galleries overlooked the open centre into which jutted the stage—essentially a platform surrounded on three sides by the audience, only the rear being restricted for the entrances and exits of the actors and seating for the musicians. The upper level behind the stage could be used as a balcony, as in Romeo and Juliet, or as a position for an actor to harangue a crowd, as in Julius Caesar.
11. The Renaissances What does the word renaissance mean? The Renaissances was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Florence in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. It saw the flowering of literature, science, art, religion, and politics, and a resurgence of learning based on classical sources, the development of linear perspective in painting, and gradual but widespread educational reform. Traditionally, this intellectual transformation has resulted in the Renaissance being viewed as a bridge between the Middle Ages and the Modern era.
12. The Renaisances What were some significant events or changes that took place during this period of time? During the Renaissances, people began to accept science and start to change their beliefs about religion, also seeing the revolutions in many intellectual pursuits, as well as social and political upheaval, it is perhaps best known for its artistic developments and the contributions of such polymaths as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
13. The Renaissances How did the renaissance affect/influence Shakespeare’s work? Shakespeare updated the simplistic, two-dimensional writing style of pre-renaissance drama. He tried to mainly focus on "human" Character and psychologically complexity. These made Shakespeare's writings diverse form others. Shakespeare also studied Greek and Roman classics when he would write his plays. Shakespeare didn't let social potion effect characters, even monarchs were giving human emotions.
