William William ShakespeareShakespeare

A Genius From StratfordA Genius From Stratford

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

He is the most He is the most famousfamous writerwriter in in the world.the world.

ThirdThird child of eight children child of eight childrenBorn on Born on April 23, 1564April 23, 1564 in in Stratford Stratford

upon Avon, Englandupon Avon, EnglandStudied Studied LatinLatin subjects in school subjects in schoolHe had no other He had no other formalformal education education

William Shakespeare cont.William Shakespeare cont.

Married Married Anne HathawayAnne Hathaway at age at age 18 18 (she was (she was 2626))

After his wife had After his wife had twinstwins, he left , he left them and moved to them and moved to LondonLondon

1594-Charter member of the 1594-Charter member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men~ King’s Lord Chamberlain’s Men~ King’s MenMen

He provided this company with He provided this company with plays plays on demandon demand..

William Shakespeare cont.William Shakespeare cont.Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet was one of the was one of the earliestearliest

plays that Shakespeare wrote.plays that Shakespeare wrote.Written between Written between 15941594 and and 15961596He returned to Stratford in 1612 and He returned to Stratford in 1612 and

had written 37 plays including had written 37 plays including Julius Julius CaesarCaesar, , HamletHamlet, , OthelloOthello, , King LearKing Lear, and , and MacbethMacbeth

He is also known as “The Bard” which is He is also known as “The Bard” which is a title for poet or one who sings.a title for poet or one who sings.

If Shakespeare was alive today, he If Shakespeare was alive today, he would be receiving would be receiving $25,000$25,000 a week in a week in royalties for just one of his plays alone!royalties for just one of his plays alone!

William Shakespeare cont.William Shakespeare cont.

Shakespeare died on Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616April 23, 1616 at age at age 5252..

He is buried He is buried underunder the old stone the old stone floorfloor in the in the Holy Trinity ChurchHoly Trinity Church in in StratfordStratford. .

These words are carved over his grave.These words are carved over his grave.

Good friendGood friend, for Jesus sake forbear, for Jesus sake forbear

To dig the To dig the dustdust enclosed here! enclosed here!

Blessed beBlessed be the man that the man that sparesspares these stones these stones

And And cursedcursed be he that be he that movesmoves my bones my bones

William Shakespeare cont.William Shakespeare cont.

No one knows if they are his No one knows if they are his words, but no one has tried to words, but no one has tried to move his body to this day!move his body to this day!

10 second stretch break!!!10 second stretch break!!!

THANKS FOR PAYING ATTENTION THANKS FOR PAYING ATTENTION THIS FAR! YOU’RE DOING GREAT!!!!!!THIS FAR! YOU’RE DOING GREAT!!!!!!

The Globe TheaterThe Globe Theater

““The Wooden O”The Wooden O”

The Globe Theater The Globe Theater

Shakespeare called his Shakespeare called his theater theater “the wooden o”“the wooden o”

It stood It stood three stories highthree stories highHad a large Had a large platformplatform stage stage

that had an open that had an open yardyard on one on one sideside

The back was The back was curtainedcurtained off to off to house an house an innerinner stage stage

The Globe TheaterThe Globe Theater

BalconyBalcony (probably for (probably for Romeo Romeo and Juliet)and Juliet)

TrapdoorsTrapdoors in the bottom of the in the bottom of the main stagemain stage

Plays were held in the Plays were held in the afternoonafternoonNo No furniturefurnitureElaborate costumesElaborate costumes

The Globe TheaterThe Globe Theater

Plays were performed by all Plays were performed by all malesmales. . Even female parts were played by Even female parts were played by little little boysboys

Reading ShakespeareReading Shakespeare

Check out the languageCheck out the language

Words you may not recognize

• anon: at once

• but: if, except, only

• chinks: money

• mark: listen to

• soft: quiet, hush, slow up

• withal: with that

• wot: know

Words you may recognize

• coz: cousin, “kinfolk”

• hoodwinked: tricked

• spinners: spiders

• blaze: to tell the truth

• happy: lucky