Life and Times of William Shakespeare Brought to you by Miss Leyne.

Life and Times Life and Times ofof

William William ShakespeareShakespeareBrought to you by Miss LeyneBrought to you by Miss Leyne

Who was Shakespeare?Who was Shakespeare? William Shakespeare was an

English actor, poet and playwright who lived in the late 1500s and early 1600s (around 400 years ago).

His plays are now performed all over the world in hundreds of languages, and he is known as one of the greatest writers of all time.

The reason his work is so popular is that Shakespeare wrote about human nature and how people behave. That is why, although his words can be hard to understand, his ideas are as relevant now as they were four centuries ago.

My lifeMy life It is speculated that

William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 because his baptism was documented at Holy Trinity Church in the town of Stratford-Upon- Avon on the date of April 26th, 1564.

SHAKESPEARE’S BACKGROUNDSHAKESPEARE’S BACKGROUND

William Shakespeare came from Stratford- Upon- Avon, a quiet market town. He was born on Henley Street, where his father John Shakespeare was a glover ( a maker of gloves and leather goods) as well he sold wool and barley.

John Shakespeare married Mary Arden, a wealthy landowner’s daughter in 1557. They had eight children, but three died very young. At the time childhood diseases like measles, scarlet fever and the flu could be fatal.

John Shakespeare was elected to the town council and became bailiff ( mayor) of the town. This position allowed William to attend the local grammar school and be well educated. William would have studied Latin and mythology until the age of fifteen.

William married Anne Hathaway in 1582, at the age of 18. She was eight years older than him.

Together they had three children. The eldest daughter born in 1583 was named Susanna and their twins Judith and Hamnet were born in 1585.

William’s only son died in August of 1596, and many speculate that as Shakespeare got older his son’s death affected him greatly, causing him to write his great tragedies.

By the age of 20, William Shakespeare had a wife and three children to provide for. It is assumed that he worked with his father in Stratford, although he might have been a teacher, lawyer or a soldier.

William’s father’s business was in difficulty, and he needed to earn a living. This may have been why he left Stratford for London to live and work. What we do know is that by 1592 he was in London writing plays.

Shakespeare bought a large expensive Stratford Shakespeare bought a large expensive Stratford house, named ‘New Place’, in 1597. This was quite house, named ‘New Place’, in 1597. This was quite early in his career.early in his career.

William was still working in London most of the William was still working in London most of the time but this gave his wife and children their own time but this gave his wife and children their own home, and proved to everyone that Shakespeare home, and proved to everyone that Shakespeare had paid off all of his family’s debt.had paid off all of his family’s debt.

At the end of his career, Shakespeare retired to At the end of his career, Shakespeare retired to Stratford, and lived at ‘New Place’ until he died at Stratford, and lived at ‘New Place’ until he died at the age of 52 on April 23the age of 52 on April 23rdrd in the year 1616. in the year 1616.

MY WORKSMY WORKS

During Shakespeare’s lifetime, drama developed faster than ever During Shakespeare’s lifetime, drama developed faster than ever before. In London, play going became a large-scale business. With before. In London, play going became a large-scale business. With some theatres holding two or three thousand people, there were some theatres holding two or three thousand people, there were huge profits to be made, and new material was always needed. huge profits to be made, and new material was always needed. Drama was not seen as “literature” but merely as popular Drama was not seen as “literature” but merely as popular entertainment, in the same way as Hollywood films, television entertainment, in the same way as Hollywood films, television sitcoms or soap operas are now. sitcoms or soap operas are now.

During Shakespeare’s career, fashion and tastes in drama changed. During Shakespeare’s career, fashion and tastes in drama changed. Shakespeare himself wrote mostly comedies and history plays during Shakespeare himself wrote mostly comedies and history plays during the Elizabethan period ( 1558-1603) and tragedies and tragicomedies the Elizabethan period ( 1558-1603) and tragedies and tragicomedies during the reign of King James (1603-1625). Total number of plays during the reign of King James (1603-1625). Total number of plays written by William Shakespeare is said to be 37.written by William Shakespeare is said to be 37.

COMEDY- Plays that usually have a happy ending such as marriage. COMEDY- Plays that usually have a happy ending such as marriage. Throughout the play, jokes, farce and innuendo are found. Throughout the play, jokes, farce and innuendo are found. Shakespeare’s comedy are usually love stories, set far away from Shakespeare’s comedy are usually love stories, set far away from England. “Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, England. “Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Merchant of Venice and As You Like It” are examples of this The Merchant of Venice and As You Like It” are examples of this style.style.

TRAGEDY- play ends in the death of one or more of the TRAGEDY- play ends in the death of one or more of the main characters. In a revenge tragedy such as “main characters. In a revenge tragedy such as “Titus Titus Andronicus”Andronicus”, one murder sets off a chain of revenge , one murder sets off a chain of revenge killings. “King Lear, Macbeth, Hamlet and Julius Caesar” killings. “King Lear, Macbeth, Hamlet and Julius Caesar” are other Shakespeare tragedies that involve historical are other Shakespeare tragedies that involve historical individuals and events.individuals and events.

TRAGICOMEDY-also referred to as a ‘problem play’ is a TRAGICOMEDY-also referred to as a ‘problem play’ is a mixture of comedy and tragedy. The play seems to mixture of comedy and tragedy. The play seems to move towards a tragic ending, but a twist in the plot move towards a tragic ending, but a twist in the plot saves the character(s). “All’s Well that Ends Well, saves the character(s). “All’s Well that Ends Well, Measure for Measure and Troilus and Cressida” are Measure for Measure and Troilus and Cressida” are examples of a tragicomedy.examples of a tragicomedy.

HISTORY- usually tells the stories of great leaders and HISTORY- usually tells the stories of great leaders and Kings. However, Shakespeare altered what he found in Kings. However, Shakespeare altered what he found in the history books to suit his own dramatic purposes to the history books to suit his own dramatic purposes to make the plays more exciting. “ King John, Henry IV and make the plays more exciting. “ King John, Henry IV and Richard II, III are examples related to this grouping.Richard II, III are examples related to this grouping.

My LanguageMy Language

Shakespeare’s use of language made him one of the Shakespeare’s use of language made him one of the greatest writers in the world. With extraordinary skill and greatest writers in the world. With extraordinary skill and poetic imagination, he could set vivid scenes, express poetic imagination, he could set vivid scenes, express powerful emotions and reveal character in highly original powerful emotions and reveal character in highly original ways.ways.

Many of Shakespeare’s expressions, or idioms, have become Many of Shakespeare’s expressions, or idioms, have become part of the English language. People often use part of the English language. People often use Shakespearean idioms without realizing it…Shakespearean idioms without realizing it…

“ “ You’ll eat us out of house and home if you’re not careful.”- You’ll eat us out of house and home if you’re not careful.”- Henry IVHenry IV

““There’s method in my madness.” – HamletThere’s method in my madness.” – Hamlet

““There’s no need to lay it on with a trowel.”- As You There’s no need to lay it on with a trowel.”- As You Like ItLike It

““Well, the world’s your oyster now.”- The Merry Wives of Well, the world’s your oyster now.”- The Merry Wives of WindsorWindsor

WAYS WITH WORDSWAYS WITH WORDS

Queen Elizabeth and her era entitled Queen Elizabeth and her era entitled ‘Elizabethan’ were thriving due to a ‘Elizabethan’ were thriving due to a defeat of the Spanish Armada. England defeat of the Spanish Armada. England was flourishing and traded goods across was flourishing and traded goods across the world and many new ideas were the world and many new ideas were brought back from abroad. This led to an brought back from abroad. This led to an explosion in the richness of language; explosion in the richness of language; playwrights such as Shakespeare and playwrights such as Shakespeare and scholars had to borrow or invent words to scholars had to borrow or invent words to be able to talk about these new things. be able to talk about these new things.

Shakespeare used a combination of Shakespeare used a combination of PROSE (language without metrical PROSE (language without metrical structure- normal speech) and VERSE structure- normal speech) and VERSE (also known as poetry).(also known as poetry).

Shakespeare wrote using Early Modern Shakespeare wrote using Early Modern English for poetic and dramatic purposes English for poetic and dramatic purposes only; to create a specific poetic rhythm, to only; to create a specific poetic rhythm, to emphasize a certain word or give a emphasize a certain word or give a character a specific speech pattern. The character a specific speech pattern. The people of the Elizabethan and Jacobean people of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras did not speak this way. eras did not speak this way.

Our language today uses between 6,000 Our language today uses between 6,000 and 15,000 words, whereas In and 15,000 words, whereas In Shakespeare’s time, there were no Shakespeare’s time, there were no dictionaries, so people could spell words dictionaries, so people could spell words however they wanted and sometimes however they wanted and sometimes made up new ones. Over 2000 of the made up new ones. Over 2000 of the 30,000 words Shakespeare used had not 30,000 words Shakespeare used had not been recorded before, and he may have been recorded before, and he may have made many of them up. made many of them up.

Here are a few of the words first used by Here are a few of the words first used by Shakespeare which are still in use today: Shakespeare which are still in use today: leapfrog, submerged, fretful, barefaced, leapfrog, submerged, fretful, barefaced, dwindle and lonelydwindle and lonely

Shakespeare also used words that may seem Shakespeare also used words that may seem familiar but have different connotations to familiar but have different connotations to them, such as:them, such as:Afeared- afraid Afeared- afraid

Constant- settled, determinedConstant- settled, determinedCot-quean: an effeminate Cot-quean: an effeminate man man

Dig-You-Good-Den: give you good eveningDig-You-Good-Den: give you good eveningFestinately- quicklyFestinately- quickly

Gorbellied- corpulentGorbellied- corpulent

Happily- accidentallyHappily- accidentallyHugger-Mugger- secrecyHugger-Mugger- secrecy

Lass-Lorn: deserted by a Lass-Lorn: deserted by a mistressmistress

Mell- to mix, to meddleMell- to mix, to meddleNice- foolishNice- foolish

Pard- the leopardPard- the leopardRascal- a lean deer Rascal- a lean deer

Sans- withoutSans- withoutSaw- a moral sayingSaw- a moral saying

Sometimes, Shakespeare shortened proper Sometimes, Shakespeare shortened proper words to add rhythmic sound when spoken. words to add rhythmic sound when spoken. Here Are the proper versions:Here Are the proper versions:

‘‘TIS=IT ISTIS=IT IS ‘OPE=OPEN‘OPE=OPENO’ER= OVERO’ER= OVER GI’=GIVEGI’=GIVENE’ER=NEVERNE’ER=NEVER I’=INI’=INE’ER=EVERE’ER=EVER OFT= OFTENOFT= OFTENA’= HEA’= HE E’EV=EVENE’EV=EVEN

MY THEATREMY THEATRE Until the mid-16Until the mid-16thth century, most plays were performed outside century, most plays were performed outside

of London. Craftsmen, or trades people put on traditional of London. Craftsmen, or trades people put on traditional plays of morality, and mystery in town squares, and on village plays of morality, and mystery in town squares, and on village greens. However, due to Queen Elizabeth’s love of art and greens. However, due to Queen Elizabeth’s love of art and drama, performing grew in size, and importance, and London drama, performing grew in size, and importance, and London became hugely popular, and the center of English theatre. became hugely popular, and the center of English theatre. Queen Elizabeth allowed the first public theatre called ‘The Queen Elizabeth allowed the first public theatre called ‘The Theatre’ to open in 1576.Theatre’ to open in 1576.

From 1599 onwards, Shakespeare’s plays were usually From 1599 onwards, Shakespeare’s plays were usually performed at the Globe Theatre, which he was a share holder performed at the Globe Theatre, which he was a share holder along with members of his theatre company, ‘The along with members of his theatre company, ‘The Chamberlain’s Men’. The theatre was a wooden circle, with no Chamberlain’s Men’. The theatre was a wooden circle, with no roof over the middle. The only lighting was daylight, so roof over the middle. The only lighting was daylight, so performances were put on in the afternoon. This huge, open-performances were put on in the afternoon. This huge, open-air circular theatre was located in Southwark, London. The air circular theatre was located in Southwark, London. The theatre could hold 3,000 people, and there were two theatre could hold 3,000 people, and there were two performances a day. performances a day.

Attending Shakespeare’s TheatreAttending Shakespeare’s Theatre Shakespeare’s own theatre “The Globe’ had a roof that Shakespeare’s own theatre “The Globe’ had a roof that

covered only the outside galleries thus, many who went covered only the outside galleries thus, many who went to see the plays got wet in the frequent London rains. to see the plays got wet in the frequent London rains. The stage jutted out into the audience, and the actors The stage jutted out into the audience, and the actors were surrounded on three sides by people who paid to were surrounded on three sides by people who paid to see the performance.see the performance.

General entrance to ‘The Globe’ was a penny.General entrance to ‘The Globe’ was a penny. Nearly half the theatre-goers who stood on the ground Nearly half the theatre-goers who stood on the ground

around the stage were called ‘groundlings’. They were around the stage were called ‘groundlings’. They were not sheltered from the rain but were closest to the action not sheltered from the rain but were closest to the action on the stage. The ‘groundlings’ were a rowdy bunch, on the stage. The ‘groundlings’ were a rowdy bunch, eating, talking and yelling out anything which took their eating, talking and yelling out anything which took their fancy at the moment. They were known to ‘pitch’ their fancy at the moment. They were known to ‘pitch’ their food or beer at the actors if the play did not interest food or beer at the actors if the play did not interest them.them.

People paying higher prices got covered seats under the People paying higher prices got covered seats under the roof in the galleries to keep off the rain. The cost was an roof in the galleries to keep off the rain. The cost was an extra penny per level ( there were 3 levels) An extra extra penny per level ( there were 3 levels) An extra penny could also buy a cushion for the seat.penny could also buy a cushion for the seat.

No one went to the theatre at night. There were no electric No one went to the theatre at night. There were no electric stage lights, and the stage was in the middle of the audience, stage lights, and the stage was in the middle of the audience, lighted by the sun. There was no scenery and very few props. lighted by the sun. There was no scenery and very few props. The costumes were limited to what the actor could acquire The costumes were limited to what the actor could acquire themselves, so there might have been all manner of dress styles themselves, so there might have been all manner of dress styles on the stage at one time. on the stage at one time.

Today, no courteous theatre-goers would think of walking around Today, no courteous theatre-goers would think of walking around while a play is on, but Shakespeare’s audiences, especially the while a play is on, but Shakespeare’s audiences, especially the ‘groundlings’, made no pretense of courtesy. Shakespeare ‘groundlings’, made no pretense of courtesy. Shakespeare having been an actor himself, knew he had to write plays filled having been an actor himself, knew he had to write plays filled with action, for example sword play, and good stories filled with with action, for example sword play, and good stories filled with buffoonery, so as not to lose the audience’s attention, buffoonery, so as not to lose the audience’s attention, particularly the ‘groundlings’. He purposely created the stage to particularly the ‘groundlings’. He purposely created the stage to be 1.5m (5 feet) high, so people could not jump onto it.be 1.5m (5 feet) high, so people could not jump onto it.

In Shakespeare’s time no women or girls acted in the plays; In Shakespeare’s time no women or girls acted in the plays; which is the main reason there are many more parts for men which is the main reason there are many more parts for men than women in his plays. For a woman to act in a play during than women in his plays. For a woman to act in a play during this era would have been considered ‘shameless’ and a SERIOUS this era would have been considered ‘shameless’ and a SERIOUS breach of social custom. The parts of women in the plays were breach of social custom. The parts of women in the plays were performed by young boys . performed by young boys .

Only later in 17Only later in 17thth century did women get to act, and even then an century did women get to act, and even then an actress was considered to have a character that was ’SUSPECT’. actress was considered to have a character that was ’SUSPECT’.

MYMY TIMESTIMES

Under the reign of Queen Elizabeth from 1558- 1603, Under the reign of Queen Elizabeth from 1558- 1603, Shakespeare’s life was anything but glamorous. The Shakespeare’s life was anything but glamorous. The “Elizabethan Era” was quite savage, Elizabethans loved “Elizabethan Era” was quite savage, Elizabethans loved violence, and their forms of entertainment ranged from violence, and their forms of entertainment ranged from watching people being flogged or executed to bear-baiting. watching people being flogged or executed to bear-baiting. ( People would bet on how many dogs a starved bear would ( People would bet on how many dogs a starved bear would kill before the dogs would kill the bear)kill before the dogs would kill the bear)

In time, with the Queen’s love for theatre, and approval live In time, with the Queen’s love for theatre, and approval live performance became popular, and allowed Shakespeare to performance became popular, and allowed Shakespeare to create the acting troupe named “The Chamberlains’ Men”, create the acting troupe named “The Chamberlains’ Men”, to earn a living and make a decent wage.to earn a living and make a decent wage.

After Queen Elizabeth’s death, King James I took the After Queen Elizabeth’s death, King James I took the throne. (1603-1625) Fortunately, for the actors and throne. (1603-1625) Fortunately, for the actors and playwrights of the day, the king too loved the theatre. And playwrights of the day, the king too loved the theatre. And so, during the ‘Jacobean Era”, Shakespeare’s troupe of so, during the ‘Jacobean Era”, Shakespeare’s troupe of actors were now called the ‘The Kings Men’, as King James actors were now called the ‘The Kings Men’, as King James particularly loved the work of Shakespeare and sponsored particularly loved the work of Shakespeare and sponsored his plays.his plays.

During Shakespeare’s life there was no sewage During Shakespeare’s life there was no sewage system or garbage disposal in London. The city had a system or garbage disposal in London. The city had a constant stench. It was customary for men to stand constant stench. It was customary for men to stand closest to the wall if they were walking with a woman; closest to the wall if they were walking with a woman; this was so that the woman would not get dirty if this was so that the woman would not get dirty if someone dumped his or her garbage out the window someone dumped his or her garbage out the window on the street as was expected.on the street as was expected.

The water was filthy and caused several problems for The water was filthy and caused several problems for the citizens of London, such as:the citizens of London, such as:

1.1. The water was not fit to drink, so most people The water was not fit to drink, so most people drank beer insteaddrank beer instead

2.2. People could not clean their teeth properly so they People could not clean their teeth properly so they literally became yellow and brownliterally became yellow and brown

3.3. Many people caught diseases, because they could not Many people caught diseases, because they could not wash themselveswash themselves

In the spring, ice would break off and the water would In the spring, ice would break off and the water would be fresh. (otherwise it was filthy). This is were the term be fresh. (otherwise it was filthy). This is were the term ‘spring cleaning’ came from. Also, many people began ‘spring cleaning’ came from. Also, many people began getting married in the spring, because it was the getting married in the spring, because it was the cleanest time of the year. At other times of the year, cleanest time of the year. At other times of the year, people used flowers to mask the smell of their city and people used flowers to mask the smell of their city and themselves at their wedding, thus, beginning the themselves at their wedding, thus, beginning the tradition of having flowers for decoration at weddings tradition of having flowers for decoration at weddings that still exists today.that still exists today.

The streets of London were so dirty that they became The streets of London were so dirty that they became rat infested and the rats brought with them disease…rat infested and the rats brought with them disease…more specifically the ‘BUBONIC PLAGUE’. more specifically the ‘BUBONIC PLAGUE’.

Medical doctors had no knowledge of medicine that Medical doctors had no knowledge of medicine that could help, so people with the plague were not allowed could help, so people with the plague were not allowed to leave their homes and were boarded up and left there to leave their homes and were boarded up and left there to die.to die.

There was such wide spread of the disease that I in There was such wide spread of the disease that I in every 3 Londoners died. So public gatherings were every 3 Londoners died. So public gatherings were banned to avoid further contamination, this included all banned to avoid further contamination, this included all performances in theatres.performances in theatres.

Fire was also a big problem because most houses were Fire was also a big problem because most houses were made of wood. However, it was because of a large fire made of wood. However, it was because of a large fire that burned for three days that London was saved from that burned for three days that London was saved from the plague as most of the bacteria was killed.the plague as most of the bacteria was killed.

THE ENDTHE END