shakespeare 101 (Part 3)

William Shakespeare’s Times

England in 1500-1600’s

The age of Shakespeare was a great time in English history. The reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) saw England emerge as the leading naval and commercial power of the Western world. England consolidated its position with the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, and Elizabeth firmly established the Church of England begun by her father, King Henry VIII (following Henry's dispute with the Pope over having his first marriage annulled). At this time, London was the heart of England, reflecting all the vibrant qualities of the Elizabethan Age. This atmosphere made London a leading center of culture as well as commerce. Its dramatists and poets were among the leading literary artists of the day. In this heady environment, Shakespeare lived and wrote. London in the 16th century underwent a transformation. Its population grew 400% during the 1500s, swelling to nearly 200,000 people in the city proper and outlying region by the time an immigrant from Stratford came to town. A rising merchant middle class carved out a productive livelihood, and the economy boomed.

The Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre was a theatre in London associated with Wiliam Shakespeare.It was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company , the Lord Chamberlain’s Men , and was destroyed by fire on 29 June 1613. A second Globe Theatre was built on the same site by June 1614 and closed in 1642. A modern reconstruction of the Globe, named "Shakespeare’s Globe", opened in 1997. It is approximately 230 metres (750 ft) from the site of the original theatre.

Shakespeare 101 (Part 2)

William Shakespeare’s Work

Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets.

Much Ado About Nothing (comedy)

The story concerns a pair of lovers named Claudio and Hero who are due to be married in a week. To pass the time before their wedding day, they conspire with Don Pedro, the prince of Aragon to trick their friends, Beatrice and Benedick, into confessing their love for one another. The prince's illegitimate brother, Don John, however, jealous of both Don Pedro's power and his affection for Claudio, plans to sabotage the coming wedding.

King John (History)

This play dramatises the reign of King John of England(ruled 1199–1216), son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine and father of Henry III of England.

As You Like It (Comedy)

As You Like It follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court, accompanied by her cousin Celia and Touchstone the court jester, to find safety and eventually love in the Forest of Arden. Historically, critical response has varied, with some critics finding the work of lesser quality than other Shakespearean works and some finding the play a work of great merit.

Macbeth (Tragedy)

Macbeth is a tragedy by about a regicide and its aftermath, it is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy.

Romeo and Juliet (Tragedy)

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young " star-crossed lovers" whose untimely deaths ultimately unite their feuding families.

During Shakespeare's lifetime, many of his greatest plays were staged at the Globe Theatre and the Blackfriars Theatre. Shakespeare's fellow members of the Lord Chamberlain's Men acted in his plays. William Shakespeare wrote plays which were categorised in three main groups, comedies, histories and tragedies. He also wrote many poems/sonnets and Apocrypha's.

Shakespeare 101

William Shakespeare’s Life

WIlliam Shakespeare was born and baptised on 26th April 1564. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England. William Shakespeare was the son of John Shakespeare, a successful glover and alderman. He was the third child of eight and the eldest surviving son. At the age of 18, Shakespeare married 26 year old Anne Hathaway, who was at the time three months pregnant. Six months after their marriage, she gave birth to daughter, Susanna, who was baptised on 26th May 1583. Two years later, she gave birth to twins, son Hamnet and daughter Judith which were baptised on 2nd February 1585. Hamnet died of unknown causes at the age of 11 and was buried on 11th August 1596. He died on 23rd April 1616 at around the age of 52. He also died in Stratford-upon=Avon in Warwickshire, England.

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