Shakespeare's Life and The Globe Theatre

Shakespeare's Life

• Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England
• Third of eight children to John and Mary Shakespeare
• Father was a glove maker and held public office
• Little is known about Shakespeare's childhood and education
• Married Anne Hathaway at 18 and had three children
• Worked as an actor and playwright in London
• Became a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men theatre company
• Died in 1616 at the age of 52

The Globe Theatre

• Built in 1599 in Southwark, London
• Original theatre burned down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII
• Rebuilt in 1614 and destroyed again by the Puritans in 1644
• Modern replica of the Globe Theatre was built in 1997 near the original site
• The Globe was a outdoor amphitheatre that held up to 3,000 spectators
• Stage was surrounded by a pit for groundlings and three tiers of seating
• Known for its thrust stage, where the audience surrounded the performance on three sides

Elizabethan Era

• Refers to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603)
• Characterized by a cultural and artistic flourishing in England
• Saw the rise of the English Renaissance and the development of English literature
• Key features of the era include:
  • Emergence of the English language as a literary force
  • Growing popularity of theatre and performance
  • Increased trade and exploration
  • Conflict with Spain and the Catholic Church
  • Development of the English monarchical system
• Influential figures of the era include:
  • William Shakespeare
  • Christopher Marlowe
  • Ben Jonson
  • Queen Elizabeth I

Shakespeare's Life

• Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, as the third of eight children to John and Mary Shakespeare
• Father, John Shakespeare, was a glove maker and held public office, indicating a middle-class upbringing
• Shakespeare's childhood and education remain largely unknown
• Married Anne Hathaway at 18 and had three children, Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith
• Worked as an actor and playwright in London, becoming a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men theatre company
• Died in 1616 at the age of 52, leaving behind a legacy of 38 plays and 154 sonnets

The Globe Theatre

• Built in 1599 in Southwark, London, as a outdoor amphitheatre that held up to 3,000 spectators
• Original theatre burned down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII, and was rebuilt in 1614
• Destroyed again by the Puritans in 1644, but a modern replica was built in 1997 near the original site
• Notable features of the Globe include its thrust stage, surrounded by a pit for groundlings and three tiers of seating
• The Globe was a key venue for Shakespeare's plays, showcasing his works to a diverse audience

Elizabethan Era

• Characterized by a cultural and artistic flourishing in England during Queen Elizabeth I's reign (1558-1603)
• Saw the rise of the English Renaissance and the development of English literature
• Key features of the era include the emergence of the English language as a literary force, growing popularity of theatre and performance, increased trade and exploration, conflict with Spain and the Catholic Church, and development of the English monarchical system
• Influential figures of the era include William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and Queen Elizabeth I, who played a crucial role in shaping the era's cultural and artistic landscape

Shakespeare's Life

• Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England to John Shakespeare, a glover and alderman, and Mary Arden Shakespeare.
• He had three brothers and two sisters.
• At 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway and had three children.
• He worked as an actor and playwright in London and became a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men theatre company.
• Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of 52.

Elizabethan Era

• The Elizabethan Era was a period of English history during Queen Elizabeth I's reign from 1558-1603.
• It was characterized by cultural and artistic flourishing, the English Renaissance, the establishment of the Church of England, exploration and colonization of the New World, and relative peace and stability.
• The era exposed Shakespeare to classical Greek and Roman literature, revived interest in mythology and folklore, and developed the English language.
• These influences shaped Shakespeare's writing, which often featured classical allusions and themes related to mythology and folklore.

The Globe Theatre

• The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 in Southwark, London and owned by the Lord Chamberlain's Men theatre company.
• It was designed to accommodate 3,000 spectators and featured three tiers of seating, a central performance area (pit), a trapdoor for special effects, and a thatched roof.
• The Globe hosted many of Shakespeare's plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and Othello.
• The theatre's design and features allowed for a unique and immersive theatrical experience.

Renaissance Theatre

• Renaissance Theatre emerged in Europe during the 16th century and was characterized by the revival of classical Greek and Roman drama, development of new dramatic forms, increased emphasis on spectacle and entertainment, and the rise of professional theatre companies.
• The era influenced Shakespeare's writing through the use of blank verse and iambic pentameter, incorporation of mythology and folklore, exploration of human psychology and emotion, and the blend of comedy and tragedy.
• Other notable playwrights of the era include Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and John Webster.
• Renaissance Theatre's emphasis on spectacle and entertainment helped shape Shakespeare's plays, which often featured dramatic and elaborate scenes.