Podcast
Questions and Answers
How much do we know about Shakespeare's life and why?
How much do we know about Shakespeare's life and why?
Everything we know about him is because of his works, and various legal and church documents. We only know things from certain periods of his life.
Where was Shakespeare born?
Where was Shakespeare born?
Stratford-upon-Avon
What date was he born on?
What date was he born on?
April 23, 1564
Did Shakespeare ever get married? If so, to whom?
Did Shakespeare ever get married? If so, to whom?
Shakespeare established himself as an __________ and _________.
Shakespeare established himself as an __________ and _________.
What day did he die? What is unusual about this date?
What day did he die? What is unusual about this date?
What did he leave his wife in his will?
What did he leave his wife in his will?
What were the two major religions in Elizabethan England?
What were the two major religions in Elizabethan England?
Who dictated the favoured religion?
Who dictated the favoured religion?
Which Monarchs reigned during this time? When?
Which Monarchs reigned during this time? When?
Which religion did each Monarch believe in?
Which religion did each Monarch believe in?
How did each Monarch treat those who did not follow their favoured religion?
How did each Monarch treat those who did not follow their favoured religion?
Why did Queen Elizabeth I ban all performances of religious plays and stories?
Why did Queen Elizabeth I ban all performances of religious plays and stories?
What was the Elizabethan Period?
What was the Elizabethan Period?
When was this period?
When was this period?
What was the most significant invention of this time and why?
What was the most significant invention of this time and why?
What did this lead to a renewed interest in?
What did this lead to a renewed interest in?
During the Elizabethan Period, what were unexplained events blamed on?
During the Elizabethan Period, what were unexplained events blamed on?
Why were people of this period superstitious?
Why were people of this period superstitious?
What were the four humours and what were they associated with?
What were the four humours and what were they associated with?
How was Elizabethan class structure maintained?
How was Elizabethan class structure maintained?
What was the Chain of Being and what did it uphold?
What was the Chain of Being and what did it uphold?
What is the Rotae Fortuna?
What is the Rotae Fortuna?
What did Education depend on?
What did Education depend on?
What was the main purpose of schooling?
What was the main purpose of schooling?
Why were students taught Latin?
Why were students taught Latin?
What were girls from wealthy families educated in?
What were girls from wealthy families educated in?
Why were courses in university conducted in Latin?
Why were courses in university conducted in Latin?
What was the general feeling towards plays during this period in time?
What was the general feeling towards plays during this period in time?
What was the name of the first theater?
What was the name of the first theater?
What was the name of the most famous theater?
What was the name of the most famous theater?
What happened to this theater?
What happened to this theater?
Where did people sit or not sit?
Where did people sit or not sit?
When did they have performances? Why?
When did they have performances? Why?
How many women performed in these plays?
How many women performed in these plays?
What did the audience do if they didn't like the performance?
What did the audience do if they didn't like the performance?
What does Shakespeare's work provide reference for?
What does Shakespeare's work provide reference for?
What were Shakespeare's histories a tribute to?
What were Shakespeare's histories a tribute to?
What was Shakespeare attempting to do with these tributes?
What was Shakespeare attempting to do with these tributes?
How many words did Shakespeare invent?
How many words did Shakespeare invent?
Give an example of a word or phrase we have gotten from Shakespeare.
Give an example of a word or phrase we have gotten from Shakespeare.
Name one poet who was influenced by Shakespeare.
Name one poet who was influenced by Shakespeare.
Study Notes
Shakespeare's Life and Works
- Knowledge of Shakespeare's life primarily derives from his literary works and various legal and church documents.
- Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon.
- His birthdate is recorded as April 23, 1564.
- Married Anne Hathaway.
Career and Death
- Established himself as an actor and playwright.
- Died on April 23, 1616, coinciding with his birthday.
- Left his wife "my second best bed" in his will.
Religion in Elizabethan England
- Dominant religions were Catholicism and Protestantism.
- Favored religion dictated by reigning monarchs.
- Queen Mary (1553-1558) was Catholic; Elizabeth I was Protestant.
- Mary persecuted Protestants, while Elizabeth tolerated them unless they threatened her reign.
Elizabethan Cultural Context
- Queen Elizabeth I banned religious performances to prevent violence.
- The Elizabethan Period (1558 - 1603) marked the Renaissance with new ideas and thinking.
- The printing press was a crucial invention, spurring knowledge and interest in sciences.
Superstitions and Beliefs
- Renewed interest in the supernatural emerged during this era, leading to witch hunts predominantly targeting women.
- Fear of the supernatural fostered high superstition levels among people.
Theories of Medicine
- The four humours were central to Shakespearean cosmology, influencing behavior.
- Melancholic: Black bile, associated with old age.
- Phlegmatic: Phlegm, linked to maturity.
- Choleric: Yellow bile, connected with childhood.
- Sanguine: Blood, associated with adolescence.
Education and Class Structure
- Education varied based on a family's financial standing and social class.
- Main purpose of schooling was to instill appropriate behavior for social usefulness.
- Latin was taught as it was the language of the educated and international affairs.
Roles and Opportunities in Education
- Wealthy girls learned household management and reading, while boys focused on broader educational subjects.
- University courses were conducted in Latin to facilitate communication amongst educated men.
Theater in Elizabethan Society
- Theater had a negative reputation and the first theater was simply named "theater."
- The Globe was the most famous theater, destroyed by fire during a performance.
- Performances were held in the afternoon due to lack of artificial lighting.
- Women were not permitted to act, and audience members could express dissatisfaction by throwing food.
Influence of Shakespeare's Work
- Shakespeare’s plays appealed to all classes using mythology and folklore that included Christian elements.
- His histories paid tribute to the British monarchy.
- He aimed to legitimize both Elizabeth I’s reign and his own status as a favored playwright.
- Invented over 1,700 words; notable phrase includes "dead as a door-nail."
- Influenced poets such as John Keats.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the life of William Shakespeare. From his birthplace to significant dates and family details, this quiz covers essential aspects of the playwright's personal history. See how well you know the man behind the works.
