William Shakespeare & A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Life in 16th Century London, England

• Living conditions were poor– No running water– Chamber pots were used and thrown out windows

onto the streets– Thames River and the streets polluted with raw

sewage

Life in 16th Century London, England

• Bathing was inconvenient– Had to go get the water– Had to heat up water

• Bathing was considered dangerous– Many people believed that water could carry

disease into the body through the pores in the skin.

Life in 16th Century London, England

• Inadequate understanding of disease and medicine.– Blood letting was thought to be the best cure for

most diseases.– Childhood diseases caused many children to die

before age 5.Health and Hygiene in England

Entertainment in 16th Century London, England

• Races• Gambling• Music• Public executions• Bear-baiting– A bear would be chained to a post in the ring, still able to

move, but not escape, and dogs would be set on the animal. Spectators would bet on whether it would be the dogs or the bear that would survive the vicious fight that ensued.

William Shakespeare

• Shakespeare led a scandalous life!– Married a pregnant Anne Hathaway (an older

woman) when he was 18– Deadbeat dad: left his wife and children for a

London stage career• Lived from 1564-1616

• William Shakespeare

A Midsummer Night’s Dream • It was believed that on Midsummer Night

(June 24), the fairies and witches held their festival.

story overview

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

• Setting:– Ancient Greece