The Life and TimesThe Life and Timesof William Shakespeareof William Shakespeare

Have you ever heard …..Have you ever heard …..

Many a truth was said in jest!Many a truth was said in jest!A rose by any other name would A rose by any other name would

smell as sweet.smell as sweet.Parting is such sweet sorrow.Parting is such sweet sorrow.Dead as a door nail-Dead as a door nail-What the dickens!What the dickens!To be or not to be, that is the To be or not to be, that is the

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These are all quotes by These are all quotes by William Shakespeare!!William Shakespeare!!

Did he ever guess that he Did he ever guess that he would would stillstill have such a large have such a large

audience?audience?

Biographical InformationBiographical Information

Born on April 23, 1564Born on April 23, 1564Stratford-upon-AvonStratford-upon-AvonSon of illiterate parentsSon of illiterate parentsFather: John Shakespeare- a Father: John Shakespeare- a

glove makerglove makerMother: the 3Mother: the 3rdrd of 8 children from of 8 children from

a Catholic familya Catholic family

Biographical InformationBiographical Information

Loved reading, hunting, Loved reading, hunting, athletics, chess, and skinny athletics, chess, and skinny dipping in the River Avon!dipping in the River Avon!

Married Anne Hathaway at 18 Married Anne Hathaway at 18 years old- (She was 8 years years old- (She was 8 years older and there were rumors older and there were rumors that she was “with child.”)that she was “with child.”)

Shakespeare’s Babies and Shakespeare’s Babies and EscapeEscape

Susanna was born in 1583.Susanna was born in 1583.Two years later, the twins Two years later, the twins

were born: Hamnet and were born: Hamnet and JudithJudith

Unclear history: Late 1580’s Unclear history: Late 1580’s -He left for London leaving his -He left for London leaving his wife and children behind.wife and children behind.

Shakespeare’s WorkShakespeare’s Work

He lived in London for several He lived in London for several years.years.

His first play was His first play was The Comedy of The Comedy of ErrorsErrors in 1592, and his first poem in 1592, and his first poem was “Venus and Adonis” in 1593.was “Venus and Adonis” in 1593.

1594 became a shareholder in a 1594 became a shareholder in a company of actors called the company of actors called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

Shakespeare’s WorkShakespeare’s Work

1595 wrote 1595 wrote Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet..1603 James became the King 1603 James became the King

of England and changed the of England and changed the company of actors to “The company of actors to “The King’s Men.”King’s Men.”

He returned home in 1612.He returned home in 1612.

He died in a beautiful He died in a beautiful home at age 52 on his home at age 52 on his

birthday!birthday!April 23, 1616April 23, 1616

Look What He Accomplished!Look What He Accomplished!

Shakespeare wrote 37 plays!Shakespeare wrote 37 plays!HistoriesHistoriesComediesComediesTragediesTragedies

And 154 sonnetsAnd 154 sonnets2 long narrative poems2 long narrative poems

Remember as you readRemember as you read

That Shakespeare’s plays are timeless!That Shakespeare’s plays are timeless! Human beings have not changed that Human beings have not changed that

much. Their motives and aspirations much. Their motives and aspirations are generally the same.are generally the same.

All the world’s a stage…..All the world’s a stage…..