Shakespeare 1564-1616 (REMEMBER THIS) o One person who wrote with other playwrights (1-5 others) and

crafted his plays.o He had a great “ear” (imitates other writers really well)o Education? Probably a better classical education than the modern

student. Was very absorptive and only had to hear about or meet someone to pick up something.

o No work that is personal (i.e. letters, diary, etc.)o Can never tell which character is Shakespeare!o Could have been born April 23rd, 1564. Died April 23rd, 1616.o Father was a glover; became a successful businessman; married Mary

Arden; married a wealthy woman becoming equivalently the Mayor of Stratford; loved Latin and Greek works like Ovid and Vergil

o The First Folio presented the plays we know today (“The best plays”)o Revered as great as Ovid, Vergil, Homer as a master of Tragedy and

Comedyo Ben Jonson was a great admirer of Shakespeare and believed to have

been helped by Shakespeare Says Shakespeare isn’t as good in Latin as Ben Ben Jonson “not of an age, but for all time” Claim for a classic

Dangerous: to make someone a towering figure and infallible and unquestionable.

Also most works are a product of a particular time. These time periods are needed to understand the contexts of his plays.

o We know he was a material man: wanted money, wealth etc. Wanted a son (he died early) and only had daughters later on

Elizabeth I – 1533-1603 (1558-1603 her years of reign) (Tudor)o He never knew another ruler!o Society was structured hierarchically with the top receiving power

from God and therefore the stability of the kingdom depends on the stability of the ruler.

James I = Jacobus (Latin version of James) Jacobean (Stuart) Renaissance / Early Modern Keats. “chamdern poet” G.B. Shaw “for an afternoon, but not for all time” (“Bardolatry”) shot against

Jonson’s conception. Just a play to enjoy for the afternoon. Don’t idolize the Bard (Shakespeare)

Tudor/Stuart (Stewart)- Family to which Queen Elizabeth belonged/Family to which King James belonged

He is a Dramatist (knows how to get under the cracks of anybody, any time, and even the most peaceful time)