9/15/14 Do Now: Shakespeare and the Globe Theatre

1. Shakespeare: List at least 2 facts that you know about him.

2. The Globe Theater: Plays were performed between 2 and 5 in the afternoon when the sun would not be too bright and darkness had not yet fallen. WHY? *HINT: This was during the 15th/16th century*

• NO ELECTRICITY!

• The roof of The Globe was made of straw and the middle of the building was open to the sky to allow the natural light in.

Shakespeare• the world's greatest playwright• we actually know very little about

Shakespeare's life. • It is assumed that he was born on April 23,

1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon• 1595, established The Lord Chamberlain's

men (his theater acting group)• Retired in 1611 and returned to his

hometown• Died on April 23, 1614• Wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets

History of the Globe Theatre

• Built in 1598 and opened in 1599

• Burned down in 1613 from a cannon blast (real-life prop) during a play • Rebuilt that year and reopened in 1614

• Closed down by Puritans (for religious reasons) in 1642 and was torn down in 1644

• In 1996 a replica was built on the original site

More Globe Facts• All classes (rich and poor) of people attended plays there.• There were no stage lights and no roof. They only had the

sunlight. Therefore, plays had to be during the day.• It held nearly 3,000 people• Problems: fights, theft, drugs/alcohol, prostitution