William William ShakespeareShakespeare

& Theater& TheaterBackground NotesBackground Notes

William Shakespeare is the most William Shakespeare is the most famous playwright in history. He famous playwright in history. He never gave an interview or wrote an never gave an interview or wrote an autobiography, so we have very little autobiography, so we have very little first-hand information about him.first-hand information about him.

Born: 1564 Born: 1564 Church records show Shakespeare Church records show Shakespeare

was baptized on 26 April, 1564was baptized on 26 April, 1564 Custom was to baptize babies on the Custom was to baptize babies on the

3rd day after birth. (so we assume he 3rd day after birth. (so we assume he was born on 23 April). was born on 23 April).

Died 23 April, 1616 (on his birthday, Died 23 April, 1616 (on his birthday, age 52)age 52)

Shakespeare’s father was an Shakespeare’s father was an important person in Stratford-upon-important person in Stratford-upon-AvonAvon

a glove maker and grain dealera glove maker and grain dealer at one time—mayorat one time—mayor

Shakespeare’s educationShakespeare’s education Education – grammar school. Education – grammar school.

(Would have learned Latin)(Would have learned Latin) Why is this important? Because Why is this important? Because

Shakespeare had only a basic Shakespeare had only a basic education—he didn’t go to universityeducation—he didn’t go to university—and yet he wrote poems and plays —and yet he wrote poems and plays that have been read, watched, and that have been read, watched, and studied for 400 years.studied for 400 years.

Family LifeFamily Life 1583 – age 18 – married Anne Hathaway (she was 1583 – age 18 – married Anne Hathaway (she was

26)26) 3 children – Susannah (1583); twins – Hamnet and 3 children – Susannah (1583); twins – Hamnet and

Judith (1585)Judith (1585) Hamnet died in 1596 (age 11) of the Bubonic Hamnet died in 1596 (age 11) of the Bubonic

PlaguePlague Susannah had a daughter named Elizabeth, who Susannah had a daughter named Elizabeth, who

had no childrenhad no children Judith had 3 sons, all of whom died by the age of 21Judith had 3 sons, all of whom died by the age of 21 Shakespeare’s line of direct descendants died out Shakespeare’s line of direct descendants died out

with his 4 grandchildrenwith his 4 grandchildren

Between 1585 – 1591 – Between 1585 – 1591 – Shakespeare moved to Shakespeare moved to

London.London. Became an actor and playwrightBecame an actor and playwright Became one of the chief stockholders in Became one of the chief stockholders in

the most important theatre company of the most important theatre company of the time – The Lord Chamberlain’s Menthe time – The Lord Chamberlain’s Men

Became part-owner of the Globe theatreBecame part-owner of the Globe theatre Bought a coat of arms, giving himself the Bought a coat of arms, giving himself the

official status of official status of gentlemangentleman Returned to Stratford to live in 1612 Returned to Stratford to live in 1612

(unknown why)(unknown why)

Rulers of the timeRulers of the time

Elizabeth I (1558-1603) – period Elizabeth I (1558-1603) – period called the Elizabethan periodcalled the Elizabethan period

James I (1603-1625) – was first to be James I (1603-1625) – was first to be ruler of both England and Scotland. ruler of both England and Scotland. Mother was Mary, Queen of ScotsMother was Mary, Queen of Scots

James I became the patron of James I became the patron of Shakespeare’s acting company; Shakespeare’s acting company; name was changed to The King’s name was changed to The King’s Men.Men.

Shakespeare’s LondonShakespeare’s London

Population was about 200,000Population was about 200,000 Goods were imported from many foreign Goods were imported from many foreign

countriescountries Newspapers were “broadsides”—1 page Newspapers were “broadsides”—1 page

sheets printed on both sides. Reported sheets printed on both sides. Reported news (especially murders, fires, deaths of news (especially murders, fires, deaths of important people, disasters). Sold for ½ important people, disasters). Sold for ½ penny on almost all street corners.penny on almost all street corners.

London was a noisy place. People and London was a noisy place. People and shops everywhere (even on the bridges)shops everywhere (even on the bridges)

Entertainment of the Entertainment of the TimeTime

water games on the Thameswater games on the Thames zoo in the Tower of Londonzoo in the Tower of London cock (rooster) fightscock (rooster) fights bear baitingsbear baitings public executionspublic executions playsplays

Shakespeare’s TheatreShakespeare’s Theatre

Inn-yards were popular as makeshift Inn-yards were popular as makeshift theatres. They were long and narrow, theatres. They were long and narrow, with seating around the balconies.with seating around the balconies.

Theatres were built outside the city Theatres were built outside the city walls to pacify the Puritans (across the walls to pacify the Puritans (across the Thames in Bankside). The basic Thames in Bankside). The basic architecture was similar to inn-yards.architecture was similar to inn-yards.

Performances usually started around Performances usually started around 2:00 p.m. (no electricity = no lights!)2:00 p.m. (no electricity = no lights!)

ALL actors were male. All women’s roles were ALL actors were male. All women’s roles were played by boys or young men.played by boys or young men.

Fight scenes—actors had to be expert Fight scenes—actors had to be expert swordsmen. Needed technical skills and training swordsmen. Needed technical skills and training along with excellent physical conditioning.along with excellent physical conditioning.

Audiences expected bloody deaths and Audiences expected bloody deaths and mutilations (but actors still had to perform the mutilations (but actors still had to perform the next day!)—used sheep’s blood for special next day!)—used sheep’s blood for special effects.effects.

Often was a great deal of interaction between Often was a great deal of interaction between audience and actors. Sometimes audiences audience and actors. Sometimes audiences became quite violent. (Young men often sat became quite violent. (Young men often sat around the edges of the stage—got involved in around the edges of the stage—got involved in sword fights.)sword fights.)

The Globe Theatre The Globe Theatre (Shakespeare’s Theatre)(Shakespeare’s Theatre)

Built in 1599.Built in 1599. Octagonal shape with thrust stage (audience Octagonal shape with thrust stage (audience

surrounded the actors on 3 sides)surrounded the actors on 3 sides) 3 levels of balconies; open pit in the middle3 levels of balconies; open pit in the middle floor of stage had a trapdoorfloor of stage had a trapdoor Burned down in 1613 (thatched roof caught fire Burned down in 1613 (thatched roof caught fire

when a cannon was fired during a performance); when a cannon was fired during a performance); rebuilt in 1614, but demolished in 1644 by the rebuilt in 1614, but demolished in 1644 by the PuritansPuritans

Has now been rebuilt near the site of the original Has now been rebuilt near the site of the original theatre. Spent years researching building theatre. Spent years researching building techniques and materials from Shakespeare’s time techniques and materials from Shakespeare’s time to re-create the building as accurately as possible. to re-create the building as accurately as possible. Has a thatched roof again, but now is fire-proof (by Has a thatched roof again, but now is fire-proof (by London fire laws).London fire laws).

Audiences in the Public Audiences in the Public TheatresTheatres

Audiences were noisy, boisterous, roughAudiences were noisy, boisterous, rough Groundlings – stood on the ground Groundlings – stood on the ground

(cheapest admission)(cheapest admission) People with money sat on benches in the People with money sat on benches in the

balconies (cost more to sit up higher)balconies (cost more to sit up higher) Some rented stools on the stage.Some rented stools on the stage. Nobility usually arranged to have plays Nobility usually arranged to have plays

performed in their own homesperformed in their own homes