Shakespeare’s World

Time period

• William Shakespeare lived from 1564—1616

• Lived in England, during the Renaissance

• Elizabeth I was the queen

European Renaissance

• A renewed interest in science, philosophy, and the arts

• Began in 14th Century Italy

Queen Elizabeth I

• 1558—1603 (Elizabethan Age)• Father was Henry VIII• Never married or had any children– sometimes

called “The Virgin Queen”

Queen Elizabeth I

• Strong supporter of the arts• Shakespeare’s theater company (The Lord

Chamberlain’s Men) was named after a high-ranking position in Elizabeth’s court

• She occasionally attended their productions

Elizabethan Theater

• No female actors• Simple staging (a lot left to the imagination)• London was the theater “hot spot”• Appealed to both rich and poor classes• The Lord Chamberlain’s Men worked in the Globe

Theatre.• Poor audience members stood in “the pit” near

the stage• Audiences would physically respond to the plays

The Globe Theatre

Shakespeare’s Life

• Born in Stratford-on-Avon, 1564• Married Anne Hathaway at 18• Had three children• Left for London seven years later• His plays made him very successful• Died in 1616

Shakespeare’s influence

• Widely considered the greatest writer in the English language, best playwright of all time

• Known for experimenting with spoken English• Used a lot of puns and double-meanings• Invented lots of words and phrases we still

use: “lonely,” “assassination,” “bump,” “dead as a doornail,” “laughingstock,” “for goodness’ sake”