This document provides an overview of William Shakespeare, including biographical details, his works, and the context of Elizabethan theater. It notes that Shakespeare was a successful actor and playwright in London who wrote 36-37 plays and 154 poems before retiring to Stratford, where he died. It discusses aspects of his plays, poems, the uncertainty around his appearance, and his significant contributions to the English language. The document also describes key aspects of Elizabethan theater, including the Globe theater and practices of repertory theater.

1. William Shakespeare What everyoneshould know about The Bard of Avon

2. Writer and Actor Successful actor in London Leading poet Member of a reparatory group – The Chamberlain’s Men Wrote 36-37 plays, 154 poems Retired to Stratford Died on his birthday 1616

3. “He was not of an age, but for all time” Ben Jonson Understanding of people he knew what his audiences wanted to see Skill with words He could play with the language better than almost anyone Sense of drama When to make them laugh, cry, and cringe

4. Perfect Timing!

5. Shakespeare’s Poetry Credited with 154 Sonnets Always worked within established modes. Sonnets written 1593-1596--the height of vogue for sonneteering. Usual themes: The beauty of his lady & his love for her His assurance of immortality for her through his verses

6. Shakespeare’s Poetry Some of his sonnets are direct at and dedicated to a young man called W.H. Others are direct to a "Dark Lady" The excellence of his poems lies not in what is said, but in how it is said.

7. We Don’t Know Shakespeare Look closely at the most famous portraits of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth. They are essentially the same face. We don’t really know what Shakespeare looked like or much about his life.

8. Was Shakespeare a Thief? Most plays based on historical events or OTHER plays. No COPYRIGHT laws in those days Took ordinary stories and made them EXTRAORDINARY

9. Shakespeare's Contribution to the English Language Common sayings: Words: catching a cold disgraceful conduct elbow room fair play blood-stained Laughing stock into thin air Knock, knock! Who’s there? Good riddance assassination barefaced bumps countless critical radical homicide hurry Lonely majestic dwindle exposure gloomy monumental suspicious Excellent obscene Gust hint Aerial Brittle Submerge summit leap-frog snow-white hoodwink

10. Hamlet sees his father’s ghost Actors need the following… Fencing Tumbling Dancing Elocution (speaking) Acting (duh!) Music Shakespeare probably made more money as an ACTOR and PRODUCER than as a PLAYWRIGHT.

11. Repertory Theater Actor Jon Finch as Macbeth A leading man may have 800 lines to memorize per day, seventy roles in three years. A theater that puts on a variety of different shows rather than one show continuously Prevents the audience from getting bored and keeps them coming to YOUR theater Helped stifle MEMORIZERS who would come to performances and steal your show.

13. Used Flags to above building to tell of impending play.

14. Black=Tragedy

15. White=Comedy

18. Held about 3000

19. Plays run every day but Sunday

21. Vendors offered beer, water, oranges, gingerbread & apples (often thrown at players)

23. A Show lasted about 2 ½ hours No “acts” but frequent intermissions No Scenery Lots of effects (trap doors, winches, etc.) No Actresses No “programs”

24. Elizabethan World View GOD Great Chain of Being King Wife Angels Animals Man Children The cast of “Jersey Shore”