William Shakespeare
A Historical Figure by Justice Guindon
Biographical Background of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was allegedly born in Stafford on April 23, 1564. He married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582, him being 18 and her being 26. They later had three children named Susanna, the daughter, and twins named Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died at the age of 11 and brought severe pain and tragedy to the family. He died on his birthday on April 23 in the year of 1616. His words have endured for 400 years, and still reach across the centuries as powerfully as ever.
Romeo and Juliet
There are 10 plays under the theme of "tragedy" by William Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet is just an example of one.
King John
King John is listed under History Themed Plays and is one of many good plays
A Midsummer Nights Dream
Looking for a Comedy Themed Play? Then a Midsummer Nights Dream is for you!
The Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre was located in London. In 1613, it burned to the ground when a cannon shot during a performance of Henry Vlll ignited the thatched roof of the gallery. The first theater was built at Shoreditch in the year of 1576 and owned by James Burbage. The Globe Theater was a great success and were very popular. The numbers dropped due to the Bubonic Plague when the theater shut down in the years of 1593, 1603 and 1608.
The Bubonic Plague
The Bubonic Plague, also known as Black Death, is an extremely deadly and contagious disease that affected many. The houses would be locked and bolted from the outside. The victims were not allowed outside and no one was allowed to enter. They would have to sign a death warrant or 'Certificate of Health' if they ever recovered. Since no one was allowed to leave the house watchmen would lower food in baskets from an upper window to feed the victims. The main way the disease would spread was by the fleas that lived on rodents and animals. It could also be transmitted from an infected person's breath.
The Plague
The bubonic plague was very serious and extremely contagious
Deadly
It was not a good thing to catch and often times resulted in death
Live or Die?
It was not something you wanted to catch and if you did chances are you wouldn't survive. If you wanted the rest of your family to live than staying away from them is best
The City of London
The City of London claimed to be a beautiful city, but is not. The streets were narrow, cobbled, slippery with the slime of refuse. And countering the bad, man-made odors, the smells of the countryside floated in. Chamber pots, or jordans were emptied out of windows. There was no drainage. If that's not disgusting then I don't know what is!
Cobbled Streets
the streets of London were cobbled and often times slippery
Busy City
London streets ready for a new day
The View from Here
Walking along the streets has an amazing view and attracts many tourists
A Challenge.
One line in the Twelfth Night may interest you:
I know of none;
Nor know I you by voice or any feature:
I hate ingratitude more in man
Than lying, vainess, babbling, drunkeness,
Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption
Inhabits our frail blood
Can you figure out what this means?