William ShakespeareRomeo and Juliet

The Life of William ShakespeareLived from 1564-1616Born in Stratford-On-Avon

Near London, EnglandMarried to Anne HathawayHad 3 ChildrenMuch of his life is unknown

Mystery Period: 1585-1592. Church records of the children’s christening are the only known facts of Shakespeare’s life for the decade following his marriage.

Who Was William Shakespeare?

Famous Playwright and PoetActorMember of Lord Chamberlain’s Men (Acting

Company)Part Owner of The Globe Theater

His Works37 Plays

Comedies, Tragedies, HistoriesPoems and Sonnets

Elements of Tragedy, Love, Adventure, Comedy, History and Fairy Tale – all contents of his work

Famous Shakespearean Quotes"To be, or not to be: that is the question” (Hamlet III.I)."This above all: to thine own self be true" (Hamlet I. III).“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears”

(Julius Caesar III.II).“It was Greek to me” (Julius Caesar I.II).“What’s in a name?” (Romeo and Juliet II.II).“Tempt not a desperate man (Romeo and Juliet V.III).“Parting is such sweet sorrow (Romeo and Juliet II.II).“The course of true love never did run smooth (A

Midsummer Night’s Dream I.I).“What’s done is done” (Macbeth III.II).“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron

bubble (Macbeth IV.I).I will wear my heart upon my sleeve (Othello I.I).T’is neither here nor there (Othello IV. III).

The Globe Theater - 1599Opened in London in 1599Octagonal in Shape – Metaphor for the WorldFlags would fly when there was a play

White Flag: ComedyBlack Flag: TragedyRed Flag: History

Built 3 stories highTrap Doors, Pillars, A Balcony and an Inner

StageClosed in 1644

The PerformancesPlays were held in the daytime (natural lighting)Open-roofActing Companies of the 16th century were

made up of men and young boysStage directions were used to show movement

of characters, changes in scenes or time, or to give revealing messages to the audience

Actors performed their own stunts and pyrotechnicsGlobe burned down in 1613 during Henry VIII

The PatronsPlays were open to the general publicGeneral admission was 1 centGroundlings or “stinklings” stood in the

center of the theaterFor 1-2 cents more, patrons could occupy on

of the three galleriesVendors and crowds gathered outside of the

Globe during performances

The Time – Elizabethan PeriodThe Globe Theater opened during The

Elizabethan PeriodLiteracy and the Arts flourished during the

reign of Queen Elizabeth IQueen Elizabeth loved

Shakespeare’s plays

Romeo and JulietOne of Shakespeare’s most popular playsTragic romanceWritten between 1591 and 1595

Early in Shakespeare’s career as a playwrightIncludes comic elements that turn to tragedy