Shakespeare's Life and Works

Born: April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
Died: April 23, 1616, in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Family: Married Anne Hathaway in 1582; three children: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith.
Career: Active as a playwright and actor in London from the late 1580s to 1613.
Theatrical Affiliations: Member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King’s Men.
Legacy: Considered one of the greatest writers in the English language and the world's pre-eminent playwright.

Tragedies
- Hamlet
- Othello
- King Lear
- Macbeth
Comedies
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Much Ado About Nothing
- Twelfth Night
- As You Like It
Histories
- Richard III
- Henry V
Poetry
- Sonnets (154 sonnets)
- Narrative poems such as "Venus and Adonis" and "The Rape of Lucrece"

Love and Relationships: Explores various forms, including romantic love, friendship, and familial bonds.
Power and Ambition: Often depicts the rise and fall of individuals due to ambition (e.g., Macbeth).
Fate and Free Will: Characters frequently grapple with destiny versus their choices.
Identity and Disguise: Many plays feature mistaken identities and the fluidity of self (e.g., Twelfth Night).
Mortality: Reflects on the human condition, death, and the passage of time.

Elizabethan Era: Flourished during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a time of cultural and artistic flourishing in England.
Theatre Development: The rise of public theatres, such as The Globe, where many of his plays were performed.
Political Climate: Plays often reflected or commented on contemporary political issues and social structures.

Language: Known for inventive use of language, including puns, metaphors, and rich imagery.
Iambic Pentameter: Predominantly wrote in this rhythmic scheme, which mimics natural speech.
Characterization: Created complex characters with psychological depth.
Dramatic Structure: Utilized a five-act structure in plays, with clear exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Use of Soliloquies: Characters often express inner thoughts, providing insight into their motivations and conflicts.

Born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England; died on the same date in 1616.
Married Anne Hathaway in 1582; they had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith.
Active as a playwright and actor in London from the late 1580s until 1613.
Member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, which became the King’s Men after the accession of King James I.
Regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language and recognized as the world's pre-eminent playwright.

Tragedies include notable plays such as:
- Hamlet
- Othello
- King Lear
- Macbeth
Comedies include:
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Much Ado About Nothing
- Twelfth Night
- As You Like It
Histories include significant works like:
- Richard III
- Henry V
Poetry comprises 154 sonnets and narrative poems including:
- Venus and Adonis
- The Rape of Lucrece

Love and Relationships: Explores diverse aspects of love, such as romance, friendship, and family bonds.
Power and Ambition: Dramatically illustrates the consequences of ambition, particularly in characters like Macbeth.
Fate and Free Will: Characters often confront the tension between destiny and their own choices.
Identity and Disguise: Mistaken identities and shifting selves are prevalent, exemplified in Twelfth Night.
Mortality: Contemplates death and the human experience over time.

Thrived during the Elizabethan Era, characterized by cultural and artistic achievements under Queen Elizabeth I.
The emergence of public theaters, notably The Globe, facilitated the performance of many of his plays.
Contemporary political issues were often reflected and critiqued in his works, mirroring the social structures of the time.

Famous for inventive language, utilizing puns, metaphors, and vivid imagery.
Predominantly wrote in iambic pentameter, echoing the rhythms of natural speech.
Developed complex characters with deep psychological insights.
Employed a five-act structure in plays, consisting of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Utilized soliloquies, allowing characters to reveal inner thoughts and motivations, enhancing conflict and understanding.