The Life and TimesThe Life and Timesof William Shakespeareof William Shakespeare

Have you ever heard …..Have you ever heard …..

““Many a truth was said in jest!”Many a truth was said in jest!”““A rose by any other name would smell as A rose by any other name would smell as

sweet.”sweet.”““Parting is such sweet sorrow.”Parting is such sweet sorrow.”““Dead as a door nail-” Dead as a door nail-” (I hope you’ve heard this one!)(I hope you’ve heard this one!)

““What the dickens!”What the dickens!”““To be or not to be, that is the question.”To be or not to be, that is the question.”

These are all quotes by These are all quotes by William Shakespeare!!William Shakespeare!!

Did he ever guess that he would Did he ever guess that he would stillstill have such a have such a large audience?large audience?

Biographical InformationBiographical Information

Born on April 23, 1564Born on April 23, 1564

Stratford-upon-AvonStratford-upon-Avon

Son of illiterate parentsSon of illiterate parents

FatherFather: : John Shakespeare- a glove makerJohn Shakespeare- a glove maker

MotherMother: : the 3the 3rdrd of 8 children from a Catholic of 8 children from a Catholic

familyfamily

Biographical InformationBiographical Information

Loved reading, hunting, athletics, Loved reading, hunting, athletics, chess, and skinny dipping in the River chess, and skinny dipping in the River Avon!Avon!

Married Married Anne HathawayAnne Hathaway at 18 years at 18 years old- (She was 8 years older and there old- (She was 8 years older and there were rumors that she was “with child.”)were rumors that she was “with child.”)

Shakespeare’s Babies and Shakespeare’s Babies and EscapeEscape

Susanna was born in 1583.Susanna was born in 1583.

Two years later, the twins were Two years later, the twins were born: Hamnet and Judithborn: Hamnet and Judith

Unclear history: Late 1580’s Unclear history: Late 1580’s -He left for London leaving his wife -He left for London leaving his wife and children behind.and children behind.

Shakespeare’s WorkShakespeare’s Work

He lived in London for several years.He lived in London for several years.

His first play was His first play was The Comedy of Errors The Comedy of Errors in in 1592, and his first poem was “Venus and 1592, and his first poem was “Venus and Adonis” in 1593.Adonis” in 1593.

1594 became a shareholder in a company 1594 became a shareholder in a company of actors called the of actors called the Lord Chamberlain’s Lord Chamberlain’s MenMen..

Shakespeare’s WorkShakespeare’s Work

1595 wrote 1595 wrote Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet..

1603 James became the King of 1603 James became the King of England and changed the England and changed the company of actors to “The King’s company of actors to “The King’s Men.”Men.”

He returned home in 1612.He returned home in 1612.

He died in a beautiful He died in a beautiful home at age 52 on his home at age 52 on his

birthday!birthday!

April 23, 1616April 23, 1616

Look What He Accomplished!Look What He Accomplished!

Shakespeare wrote 37 plays!Shakespeare wrote 37 plays!HistoriesHistoriesComediesComediesTragediesTragedies

And 154 sonnetsAnd 154 sonnets2 long narrative poems2 long narrative poems

Remember as you read…Remember as you read…

……that Shakespeare’s plays are that Shakespeare’s plays are timeless!timeless!

……that human beings have not that human beings have not changed that much. Their motives changed that much. Their motives and aspirations are generally the and aspirations are generally the same.same.

All the world’s a stage…..All the world’s a stage…..