William Shakespeare
Biography
Childhood
Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 in Straford-upon-Avon. he was educated at the King Edward IV Grammar School in Stratford. he learned Latin and little Greek and read the Roman dramatists.
Marriage
At the age of eighteen (Nov. 27, 1582), he married twenty-six years old Anne Hathaway.
Children
together they had three children: Susanna, who was born in 1583, Judith and Hamnet (twin brother died in childhood), born in 1585.
Background
William Shakespeare eventually leaves his family behind and arrives in London where he joins Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a successful theater company.
This company changes its name to The King's Men in 1603. Shakespeare stays a member of this company until he retires in 1610. While in the company, Shakespeare made his living three ways: he was part owner of the Globe theatre, he was an actor, and he was a playwright. During this time very little Scenery was used on stage, but was accomplished by Dialogue or conversation between characters.
Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare was well known for his Word Play, which is a technique that uses vocabulary that has more than one meaning. Romeo and Juliet, which was written in Shakespeare's early years, is considered a tragedy.
Romeo and Juliet, however, is not an original story; Shakespeare retells a story that can be dated back to as early as fourth century Greece. Shakespeare uses a narrative poem called "Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet," which is written by Arthur Brook, to get most of his information for his play. Shakespeare sets his Romeo and Juliet in Verona, Italy.
Globe Theater
In 1599 the Burbage brothers, who were the first male actor’s, built the Globe Theatre, of which William Shakespeare owned ten percent. This theatre, like most theatres, had a flag on the top of it, which indicated to people that there would be a play that day, the color of the flag would indicate the type of play. Plays were performed during the afternoon because they needed to take advantage of the sunlight.
In 1613 the theatre burned down during a performance of Henry VIII. A canon was accidentally shot into the thatched roof and the whole theatre was set ablaze. The theatre was rebuilt in 1614 without Shakespeare, for he had retired. Shakespeare dies in 1616 at age 52. About 30 years later, Puritans assume power in England and have the theatre torn down.
Queen Elizabeth I
1. She ruled England for nearly 50 years, and was very popular.
2. She was such a strong ruler that the time is called the Elizabethan Age or England's Golden Age.
3. Elizabeth never married although she had many suitors during her lifetime.
4. Queen Elizabeth had red had and green eyes and was known for her love of fashion; she had over 2000 dresses. Some of her gowns weighed over 200 pounds each.
Shakespeare's language
•Shakespeare coined many words we still use today:
•Critical
•Majestic
•Dwindle
And quite a few phrases as well:
•One fell swoop
•Flesh and blood
•Vanish into thin air
academe accused addiction advertising amazement
arouse assassination backing bandit bedroom
beached besmirch birthplace blanket bloodstained
barefaced blushing bet bump buzzer
caked cater champion circumstantial cold-blooded
Poetry
•1564-1616
•Regarded as the best writer in the English language
•Master of the sonnet
•Was a poet and playwright- he wrote 37 plays and 134 sonnets.
•The most-quoted author in the English language!
Sonnet 138
by William Shakespeare
When my love swears that she is made of truth
I do believe her, though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutor'd youth,
Unlearned in the world's false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young.
Although she knows my days are past the best,
Simply I credit her false speaking tongue:
On both side thus is simple truth supress'd:
And wherefore says she not she is unjust?
And wherefore says not I that I am old?
O! love's best habit is in seeming trust,
And age in love loves not to have years told:
Therefore I lie with her and she with me,
And in our faults by lies we flatter'd be.
The Death of Shakespeare
The illness that took his life is still a mystery. As previously mentioned Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, and was buried on April 25 in the Holy Trinity Church graveyard in Stratford-upon-Avon