Shakespeare and the Shakespeare and the 1500s 1500s

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

One of the great mysteries of English drama One of the great mysteries of English drama is that so little is known for sure about the is that so little is known for sure about the most famous playwright of all time.most famous playwright of all time.

Shakespeare’s exact birth date is unknown, Shakespeare’s exact birth date is unknown, but he was baptized on April 26, 1554.but he was baptized on April 26, 1554.

His parents, John and Mary, were considered His parents, John and Mary, were considered well-off. John was a prosperous merchant well-off. John was a prosperous merchant and Mary was the daughter of a successful and Mary was the daughter of a successful farmer.farmer.

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

He studied Latin and literature at a He studied Latin and literature at a prestigious school.prestigious school.

In 1582, he married Anne Hathaway, In 1582, he married Anne Hathaway, a woman eight years his senior! a woman eight years his senior!

They had three children: a daughter, They had three children: a daughter, Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judeth.Judeth.

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

Shakespeare left his family and moved to London Shakespeare left his family and moved to London to pursue his acting and writing career.to pursue his acting and writing career.

In 1599 he joined other actors and built the Globe In 1599 he joined other actors and built the Globe Theatre, where most of his plays were produced.Theatre, where most of his plays were produced.

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

In 1611, at the height of his fame In 1611, at the height of his fame and popularity, Shakespeare moved and popularity, Shakespeare moved back to Startford with his family. back to Startford with his family.

He continued to write and travel until He continued to write and travel until his death in 1616.his death in 1616.

Fun Facts About BillFun Facts About Bill

Shakespeare is known as “The Bard,” Shakespeare is known as “The Bard,” because the word “bard” means “poet.”because the word “bard” means “poet.”

Shakespeare lived through the Black Shakespeare lived through the Black Death, a plague that killed over 33,000 Death, a plague that killed over 33,000 people in London alone.people in London alone.

Shakespeare’s family were all illiterate.Shakespeare’s family were all illiterate. Many historians suspect that Shakespeare Many historians suspect that Shakespeare

did did not not write all of his plays.write all of his plays. We really do not know what Shakespeare We really do not know what Shakespeare

looked like—not one painting was looked like—not one painting was composed while he was still alive.composed while he was still alive.

More Fun FactsMore Fun Facts

The only mention that Shakespeare The only mention that Shakespeare specifically makes of his wife in his specifically makes of his wife in his will was to leave her his “second best will was to leave her his “second best bed.”bed.”

Shakespeare’s grandchildren all diedShakespeare’s grandchildren all died—he had no descendents!—he had no descendents!

Shakespeare is responsible for over Shakespeare is responsible for over 1700 words that we use each day.1700 words that we use each day.

Life in the 1500sLife in the 1500s

The age of Shakespeare was a great The age of Shakespeare was a great time in English history. The reign of time in English history. The reign of Queen Elizabeth I saw England Queen Elizabeth I saw England emerge as a leading power of the emerge as a leading power of the western world.western world.

Life in the 1500sLife in the 1500s

London was a center of commerce London was a center of commerce and culture—the place to be!and culture—the place to be!

The population grew and the The population grew and the economy boomed.economy boomed.

Daily LifeDaily Life

Baths were taken only a few times a Baths were taken only a few times a year—men had the privilege of using year—men had the privilege of using the water first, then women, and the water first, then women, and finally children.finally children.

Houses had thatched roofs—thick Houses had thatched roofs—thick straw with no wood underneath. straw with no wood underneath. Animals used it as a warm spot—Animals used it as a warm spot—hence, “it’s raining cats and dogs.”hence, “it’s raining cats and dogs.”

Daily LifeDaily Life

Typical homes had dirt floors and Typical homes had dirt floors and little luxuries.little luxuries.

Meat was considered a delicacy and Meat was considered a delicacy and was not eaten very often. Common was not eaten very often. Common foods included vegetables, porridge, foods included vegetables, porridge, and bread.and bread.

Marriage and DatingMarriage and Dating

Boys could marry at age 14, girls at Boys could marry at age 14, girls at 12. (Romeo is 14, Juliet is 13).12. (Romeo is 14, Juliet is 13).

It was considered foolish to marry for It was considered foolish to marry for love, as arranged marriages were the love, as arranged marriages were the custom.custom.

Children were considered the Children were considered the property of their parents!property of their parents!

ReligionReligion

Almost everyone in Elizabethan Almost everyone in Elizabethan England was a Christian.England was a Christian.

Official state religion = Church of Official state religion = Church of England.England.

Everyone was Everyone was requiredrequired to go to to go to church.church.

Education & EntertainmentEducation & Entertainment

Only boys went to school… from 7 Only boys went to school… from 7 AM to 5 PM, 5 days a week.AM to 5 PM, 5 days a week.

Things to do for fun: gossip, tennis, Things to do for fun: gossip, tennis, attend the theatre, singing, dancing, attend the theatre, singing, dancing, embroidery, taking lessons…embroidery, taking lessons…