The document provides background information on William Shakespeare and the English Renaissance period in which he lived and wrote. It summarizes that Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and became a successful playwright and theater owner in London during the late 1500s. The Renaissance period in England from 1400-1600 AD saw a rebirth of literature and art, influenced by the earlier Italian Renaissance. Theater flourished during this time, especially under Queen Elizabeth I, who was a patron of the arts.

1. How The Great Bard Was Born The English Renaissance and William Shakespeare

2. “He was not of an age, but for all time” Ben Johnson on William Shakespeare

3. The most famous writer in history was just as influenced by the culture he was born into as he influences modern culture. In learning about his life and reading his works, we learn about ourselves and about human nature. It is no mistake that every high school student in this country studies Shakespeare. He is quite simply the best and you are about to experience the power of his writings. William Shakespeare circa 1609

4. The Renaissance Period

7. Marked as high time in art (THINK Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo)

8. Authors: Petrarch (sonnets) and Castiglione (courtier book)

10. Began with Henry VIII and ended with King James I

11. Highest point occurred during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign

12. High time in literature: Sidney, Spencer, Marlow, Shakespeare

13. Courtiers (professional kiss-ups) were very important

14. Social classes were strictly enforced

16. Family name and nobility were very important

19. Had SIX wives: Catherine of Aragon(divorced), Anne Boleyn(beheaded), Jane Seymore (died), Ann of Cleves(divorced), Kathryn Howard (beheaded), Katherine Parr (survived)

20. Divorced the Catholic Church in order to marry his mistress

21. Wanted a male heir

22. Fathered two daughters (Mary and Elizabeth) and one son (Edward)

25. Devoutly Catholic and looking to vindicate her mother (Henry’s first wife), Mary vowed to wipe out Protestantism.

26. Ordered the mass execution of Protestants to restore the Catholic faith.

28. Was both acknowledged and disowned by her father when he was alive

29. Devoutly Protestant

30. “Virgin Queen”—never married, used her feminine wiles to gain and maintain power

31. The art of flirtation became a lucrative enterprise during her reign

32. Encouraged poetry and theater

33. Powerful, wise, and important monarch

35. What does this have to do with Shakespeare????

37. Brief Biography of William Shakespeare April 23, 1564-April 23, 1616

38. He was baptized on April 26, 1564 There were no such things as birth certificates at this time. However, babies were usually baptized three days after their birth—hence Shakespeare’s birth date of April 23, 1564 He was married at the age of 18 to 26 year old Anne Hathaway (she was pregnant) He fathered three children (two girls, one boy) His son died young He was part owner of the Globe Theater He died on April 23, 1616 The Five Provable Facts About Shakespeare

39. Everything else that is “known” about the world’s greatest writer is speculation, best guesses, and agreed upon facts. Due to the lack of actual evidence of Shakespeare’s life, many people have questioned whether he really existed or not. The collection of works credited to him are all too similar to be the works of more than one person. Others argue that Shakespeare could not have been smart enough to write such important literature. Pure genius is often misunderstood It is a Mystery . . .

41. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon

42. His family was respected and wealthy—but not noble

43. He attended grammar school and learned Latin

44. There is no evidence of further education beyond this

45. By the early 1590’s Shakespeare had left his wife and three children in Stratford-upon-Avon and traveled over 100 miles away to London to pursue his acting and writing career. He lived there for most of his adult life.

46. His marriage was not great—he rarely went home to visit his wife and upon his death, he willed Anne his SECOND-BEST bed. Everything else went to his daughters.

47. He became VERY wealthy in his life time which afforded him the chance to buy his family’s coat of arms (a sign of nobility) and the largest estate in Stratford.

49. Wrote comedies, tragedies, histories, and romances (not what you think)

50. Also wrote 154 sonnets and several narrative poems all dedicated to Sir Henry Wriothesley

51. He was an actor, writer, director, and business man

53. Under Elizabeth—women were portrayed as strong, Catholicism was mocked, marriage was not made to be the ultimate goal for characters

56. It is a comedy—there is a happy ending

57. It was written for a noble wedding

58. It contains a play within the play—namely Pyramus and Thisbe.

60. How are women portrayed?

61. How is marriage portrayed?

62. Look for messages about LOVE and the nature of love