William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

Life, Theatre, and PlaysLife, Theatre, and Plays

The Playwright- ShakespeareThe Playwright- Shakespeare

Born April 23, 1564 Born April 23, 1564 in Stratford-Upon-in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England, a Avon, England, a town about 100 town about 100 miles from Londonmiles from London

Comes from family Comes from family of some status; has of some status; has good education, but good education, but not advanced not advanced

1582: marries Anne 1582: marries Anne Hathaway Hathaway

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

Moves to LondonMoves to London England more England more

powerful, London a powerful, London a port city; result is port city; result is wider audience wider audience

1592: writes 1592: writes A A Midsummer Night’s Midsummer Night’s DreamDream (comedy) (comedy)

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

1592-1595: writes 1592-1595: writes several comedies several comedies

1595: son dies- 1595: son dies- writes writes Romeo and Romeo and JulietJuliet

1595-1609: writes 1595-1609: writes tragediestragedies

1599: owns the 1599: owns the Globe Theater, writes Globe Theater, writes The TempestThe Tempest (romance)(romance)

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

1609-1610: writes romances1609-1610: writes romancesWrites historical plays along the way Writes historical plays along the way

as well as sonnets (poetry)as well as sonnets (poetry)Writes a total of thirty-seven plays Writes a total of thirty-seven plays 1610: Retires1610: Retires1616: Dies in Stratford-Upon-Avon 1616: Dies in Stratford-Upon-Avon

The Globe TheatreThe Globe Theatre

Shakespeare wrote most of his plays for Shakespeare wrote most of his plays for this theatrethis theatre

Large, round building, three stories high, Large, round building, three stories high, with a balconywith a balcony

Lower class near stage, upper in middle Lower class near stage, upper in middle area, upper area varied area, upper area varied

Few props and scenery- relied on Few props and scenery- relied on descriptive language and costumes descriptive language and costumes

Acting not considered respectable for Acting not considered respectable for women, so boys played women’s partswomen, so boys played women’s parts

The Shakespearean Play The Shakespearean Play

P ros tas is :A c t 1

In trod u c tion

M etas tas is :A c ts 2 , 3 , 4

C om p lica tion sA c t 3 - C lim ax

E p is tas is :A c t 5

R eso lu tion

S tru c tu re o f P lays

The Renaissance Person The Renaissance Person

Heads- IntellectHeads- Intellect Hearts- EmotionHearts- Emotion Bodies- PhysicalBodies- Physical Trying to achieve Trying to achieve

balance balance