William ShakespeareWilliam ShakespeareTo thine own self be true --HamletTo thine own self be true --Hamlet

Early LifeEarly Life Baptized on April 26Baptized on April 26thth, 1564 (birthday is , 1564 (birthday is

unknown, however, speculated to be April unknown, however, speculated to be April 2323rdrd…the same day he died in 1616.)…the same day he died in 1616.)

Born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon.Born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon. He was the 3He was the 3rdrd child of 8, and the eldest child of 8, and the eldest

son to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden.son to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. It is said he was educated at the King’s It is said he was educated at the King’s

New School in Stratford—although, again, New School in Stratford—although, again, this fact is disputed.this fact is disputed.

Scholars argue that he was an educated Scholars argue that he was an educated man because, although no records exist of man because, although no records exist of Shakespeare attending school, the Shakespeare attending school, the references he makes to what a school boy references he makes to what a school boy during this time would have been during this time would have been instructed to learn about is evidence instructed to learn about is evidence enough.enough.

Marriage & Family LifeMarriage & Family Life

When Shakespeare was 18 he When Shakespeare was 18 he married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway.married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway.

Married 27Married 27thth of November, 1582 in of November, 1582 in some haste (it’s rumored that Anne some haste (it’s rumored that Anne was pregnant).was pregnant).

6 months after their marriage, 6 months after their marriage, Susannah was baptized on 26Susannah was baptized on 26thth of May, of May, 1583.1583.

Twin sons Hamnet and Judith were Twin sons Hamnet and Judith were born 2 years later and baptized on the born 2 years later and baptized on the 22ndnd of February, 1585. of February, 1585.

Hamnet died of unknown causes at age Hamnet died of unknown causes at age 11 and was buried on the 1111 and was buried on the 11thth of of August, 1596.August, 1596.

Yeah, Shakespeare probably wishes he married this one….

The Lost Years & Arrival on The Lost Years & Arrival on the Playwright Scene the Playwright Scene

Between 1585 and 1592, what were known as Between 1585 and 1592, what were known as Shakespeare’s “Lost Years,” not a whole lot is Shakespeare’s “Lost Years,” not a whole lot is known of the author. Some say that he was a known of the author. Some say that he was a schoolmaster, others say he fled and laid low for a schoolmaster, others say he fled and laid low for a while for trying to poach a deer from a local Lord’s while for trying to poach a deer from a local Lord’s land.land.

What is known, though, is that by 1592 he had What is known, though, is that by 1592 he had basically blasted onto the London theatre scene. So basically blasted onto the London theatre scene. So much so, that the 28-year-old had already started much so, that the 28-year-old had already started receiving criticism by some of the other playwrights receiving criticism by some of the other playwrights for stealing their business.for stealing their business.

Robert Crowe: “...[T]here is an upstart Crow, Robert Crowe: “...[T]here is an upstart Crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his beautified with our feathers, that with his Tiger's Tiger's heart wrapped in a Player's hideheart wrapped in a Player's hide, supposes he is as , supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of you…”of you…”

Lord Chamberlain’s Men Lord Chamberlain’s Men & The King’s Men& The King’s Men

From 1594 on, Shakespeare’s plays were From 1594 on, Shakespeare’s plays were performed only by Lord Chamberlain’s Men, performed only by Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a theatre group of which Shakespeare was a theatre group of which Shakespeare was part owner. This group quickly became the part owner. This group quickly became the #1 theatre group in the whole country, and #1 theatre group in the whole country, and when Queen Elizabeth died in 1603, the when Queen Elizabeth died in 1603, the company was awarded a royal patent by company was awarded a royal patent by the new king, James I, and became the the new king, James I, and became the King’s Men.King’s Men.

After making a killing in London, After making a killing in London, Shakespeare returned home to Stratford Shakespeare returned home to Stratford and was a wealthy landowner.and was a wealthy landowner.

The End…The End… Shakespeare died April 23Shakespeare died April 23rdrd, 1616. He was , 1616. He was

survived by his wife and two daughters. Susannahsurvived by his wife and two daughters. Susannah had married a doctor, John Hall, in 1607, and had married a doctor, John Hall, in 1607, and Judith had married Thomas Quiney, a vintner,Judith had married Thomas Quiney, a vintner, 2 months before Shakespeare’s death.2 months before Shakespeare’s death.

He was buried in the chancel of the Holy Trinity He was buried in the chancel of the Holy Trinity Church two days after his death. Sometime before Church two days after his death. Sometime before 1623, a monument was erected in his memory on 1623, a monument was erected in his memory on the north wall, with a half-effigy of him in the act of the north wall, with a half-effigy of him in the act of writing. Its plaque compares him to Nestor, writing. Its plaque compares him to Nestor, Socrates, and Virgil. A stone slab covering his Socrates, and Virgil. A stone slab covering his grave is inscribed with a curse against moving his grave is inscribed with a curse against moving his bones. bones.

Which Goes Like This: Which Goes Like This:

Blessed be he that spares Blessed be he that spares these stones these stones

And cursed be he who moves And cursed be he who moves my bones.my bones.

Will the real William Will the real William Shakespeare please stand Shakespeare please stand

up….please stand upup….please stand upCritics argue that the amount of work—37 Critics argue that the amount of work—37

plays, 154 sonnets, various other works--at plays, 154 sonnets, various other works--at such a high quality as Shakespeare was able such a high quality as Shakespeare was able to produce—to produce—

could not have been accomplished by any could not have been accomplished by any one man.one man.

Furthermore, there is controversy surrounding Furthermore, there is controversy surrounding his signatures, and the pronunciation, and his signatures, and the pronunciation, and spelling, of his name.spelling, of his name.

(a) From 1612 deposition: William Shackper(b) 1612 Blackfriars deed: William Shakspear(c) 1612 Blackfriars mortgage: Wm Shakspea(d) His 1615 will, page 1: William Shackspere(e) Will, page 2: Willm. Shakspere(f) Will, page 3: By me William Shakspeare [often questioned as by a different hand]

So who could it have been?So who could it have been?Christopher MarloweChristopher Marlowe

Well-educated (Cambridge), famous Well-educated (Cambridge), famous playwrightplaywright

Doctor Faustus, Tamburlaine the GreatDoctor Faustus, Tamburlaine the Great

Sir Francis BaconSir Francis BaconWell-educated (Cambridge law), “Endowed Well-educated (Cambridge law), “Endowed

with the facility of expressing…words, of with the facility of expressing…words, of metaphors, of allusion, as perhaps the world metaphors, of allusion, as perhaps the world has not seen…” – Sir Tobie Mathewhas not seen…” – Sir Tobie Mathew

Lord Chancellor of England, philosopher, Lord Chancellor of England, philosopher, translator, scholar, essayist.translator, scholar, essayist.

Mmmm….bacon….Mmmm….bacon….

Some additional candidatesSome additional candidatesEdward de VereEdward de Vere

1717thth Earl of Oxford Earl of OxfordWas well versed in writing comediesWas well versed in writing comedies

William StanleyWilliam Stanley66thth Earl of Derby Earl of DerbyUniversity education, extensive travel, knew University education, extensive travel, knew

many languagesmany languagesWas said to have written comedies for the Was said to have written comedies for the

common player.common player.Brother founded acting troupe “The King’s Brother founded acting troupe “The King’s

Men”—renowned for their Shakespearean Men”—renowned for their Shakespearean productions.productions.

Last, but not least…Last, but not least…Queen ElizabethQueen Elizabeth

Plays were always performed in her Plays were always performed in her presence.presence.

Usually they were 1Usually they were 1stst performances. performances.Often times the performances were Often times the performances were

smaller shows put on at her own home.smaller shows put on at her own home.

Your TurnYour Turn

So, now that we have gone through a fairly So, now that we have gone through a fairly extensive summation of Shakespeare’s life, extensive summation of Shakespeare’s life, and the controversy surrounding him, what is and the controversy surrounding him, what is your own personal opinion? Do you think it your own personal opinion? Do you think it was just one man? Please describe your was just one man? Please describe your reasoning.reasoning.

HW: HW: Pick one of the people who could have Pick one of the people who could have been Shakespeare and do some more been Shakespeare and do some more research on them tonight. Come in tomorrow research on them tonight. Come in tomorrow with a paragraph written about whether you with a paragraph written about whether you believe it is likely, or unlikely, that this person believe it is likely, or unlikely, that this person could have been Billy Shakes.could have been Billy Shakes.