Shakespeare was born in Stratford-uponAvon. Although no one is sure of his
exact day of birth, most conjecture that
it’s April 23, 1564.
 Shakespeare left school at the age of
fourteen, which was not uncommon for
the time period.
 He married Anne Hathaway when he
was eighteen years old. (1582). She was
eight years older.


By 1585 they had three children.

Nothing is really known about
Shakespeare between 1585 -1592.

However, by 1592, there is record that
Shakespeare was working in the
playhouses in London.
During Shakespeare’s career he wrote
thirty-seven plays and numerous sonnets.
 Some of his most famous include: Romeo
and Juliet, Othello, Hamlet, the Taming
of the Shrew, and Macbeth.
 Shakespeare added approximately 1700
words to the English language.

 submerge
 majestic
 suspicious
 misplaced
 Laughable
 monumental
 lonely
 Hurry
 dislocate

The name of the playhouse where
Shakespeare performed most of his plays
is called the Globe Theatre.

In his later years, Shakespeare returned
home to Stratford-upon-Avon in 1611.
Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616.
Since his death, there has been some
speculation whether he really wrote all of
the plays himself or they were written by a
group of people.
 Some have even questioned whether he
really existed at all. The mysteries
surrounding Shakespeare may never be
solved, but there is no arguing about the
lasting impact of the plays and poems
attributed to him.
 Shakespeare is buried in Trinity Chapel
outside of London.

Queen Elizabeth I- reigned from 15581603
 Age of discovery:

› Pursuit of scientific knowledge and the
exploration of human nature.
› Assumptions concerning feudalism openly
challenged.

Reformation
› Continuous strife. “Bloody Mary”- catholic.
Open air amphitheatre that could sit up
to 3000.
 The “pit” is the floor surrounding the
stage where “one-penny” spectator
stood
 Brought the social elite as well as the
disorderly drunks.
 Burned down in 1613


New Globe built and operated until
1642.

Then the puritans closed it down and
deconstructed it in 1644.

In May 1997, Queen Elizabeth II built and
re-opened it.
“Good friend for Jesus sake forebare
 To dig the dust encloased heare
 Bleste be ye man et spares these stones
 And curst be he yt moves my bones.


How has it influenced culture?
› Andy Griffith
› Just in case you think it does NOT influence modern
culture, look at this: Letters to Juliet

What do you know about Romeo and Juliet?

Listen to these two songs and write down what
you think the play might be about
› Love Story
› Check Yes Juliet
What your standard says “Identify and
analyze elements of literary drama (e.g.,
dramatic irony, dialogue, soliloquy,
monologue, aside).
 So here you go….
 Dramatic Irony- When you know
something that a character does not.
 Dialogue- When two people are
engaged in a conversation

Soliloquy- a dramatic monologue that
represents a series of unspoken
reflections. When a character voices his
thoughts out loud when NO ONE ELSE is
within distance to hear.
 Monologue- a prolonged talk or
discourse by a single speaker, esp. one
dominating or monopolizing a
conversation.


Aside-A piece of dialogue intended for
the audience and supposedly not heard
by the other actors on stage.

A remark made in an undertone so as to
be inaudible to others nearby.

Plays in Shakespeare’s time HAD to be
entertaining.

Explanation…

The Montague’s

The Capulet’s
› Romeo
› Juliet
› Montague & Lady
› Capulet & Lady
Montague
› Benvolio- Romeo’s
Cousin
› Mercutio- closest
friend to Romeo
› Balthasar- Romeo’s
dedicated servant
Capulet
› Tybalt- Juliet’s
cousin
› Juliet’s Nurse
› Paris- wants to marry
Juliet

Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
 Two
households, both alike in dignity,
 In
fair Verona, where we lay our
scene,
 From
ancient grudge break to new
mutiny,
 Where
civil blood makes civil hands
unclean.
 From
forth the fatal loins of these two
foes
 A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their
life;
 Whole misadventured piteous
overthrows
 Do with their death bury their parents'
strife.
The fearful passage of their deathmark'd love, And the continuance of
their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought
could remove,
 Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears
attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive
to mend.
