Intro to Shakespeare
- 2. Born: April, 1564 Died: April, 1616 Grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon The Basics
- 3. Shakespeare’s Family Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 at age 18 Children Susanna (born in 1583) Judith and Hamnet (twins, born in 1585)
- 4. By 1592, Shakespeare was a prominent actor and playwright in London By 1594, he was a main actor and shareholder for the acting company, Lord Chamberlain’s Men Life in London
- 5. 1599: Shakespeare’s company built the Globe Theatre Located across the River Thames from London Burned down in 1613 and rebuilt in the same spot Saw the writing of: Othello, King Lear, Hamlet, Macbeth Life in London
- 6. Shakespeare’s company presented their plays at Court, at universities, in private houses, etc. Theatres were only first built in London right before Shakespeare wrote his first plays Two types of theatres Outdoor or Public Playhouses (large audiences) 1st outdoor theatre called Theatre and built by James Burbage, father of Richard Burbage Indoor or Private Theatres (small audiences) Shakespeare’s Theatre
- 8. Outdoor Audiences packed in tightly Groundlings stood in the yard where there was no roof For an extra cost, audiences could sit or stand in the levels around the theatre No curtain or lights to signify end of scene or act Women’s roles played by boys Shakespeare’s Theatre
- 9. Shakespeare wrote 3 kinds of plays: Comedies As You Like It; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Much Ado About Nothing; The Taming of the Shrew; Twelfth Night Tragedies Romeo and Juliet; Hamlet; King Lear; Macbeth; Othello Histories Shakespeare’s Plays
Editor's Notes
- #9: Women performed in the 13th and 14th centuries, but did not come back to the stage until 1660