Shakespeare

John Shakespeare

Father of William Shakespeare; a successful glover and town official.

William Shakespeare

Renowned playwright and poet from Stratford-Upon-Avon, England, known for 37 plays and numerous sonnets.

Anne Hathaway

William Shakespeare's wife who married him at the age of 18 while pregnant.

Hamnet

Shakespeare's son who died from the Bubonic Plague at age 11.

Judith

Twin sister of Hamnet, one of Shakespeare's children.

Susanna

First child of William Shakespeare, born in 1583.

1564

Year of William Shakespeare's birth in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

1616

Year of William Shakespeare's death in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

The Elizabethan Age

Period of Queen Elizabeth I's reign (1558-1603), part of the English Renaissance.

Groundlings

Audience members who stood in the pit of the Globe Theatre.

Shakespeare's sonnets

A collection of 154 poems focusing on themes of love and beauty.

Globe Theatre

Established in 1599 to enhance the theatrical experience for Shakespeare's plays.

Bubonic Plague (1564)

A significant event that led to the death of many, including members of Shakespeare's family.

Lord Chamberlain’s Men

Leading theatrical company Shakespeare joined, later known as the King’s Men.

Lost Years

The period between 1585 and 1592 with no documentary records of Shakespeare's activities.

Comedies

Shakespeare's plays that generally have happy endings and focus on love and relationships.

Tragedies

Shakespeare's plays that often end in death or disaster and explore themes of fate and ambition.

Vocabulary size of Shakespeare

Ranged from 17,000 to 34,000 words, larger than the average educated person's vocabulary today.

Cause and Effect: Bubonic Plague

Led to Shakespeare losing many family members, influencing themes of mortality in his writing.

Cause and Effect: Globe Theatre Rise

Increased popularity of Shakespeare's plays and solidified his reputation as a playwright.

Cause and Effect: Queen Elizabeth I

Patronage led to the flourishing of English literature and drama, contributing to Shakespeare's success.

Theme of Fate in Romeo and Juliet

The characters are fated to a tragic end, experiencing unkind fortune.

Theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet

Love overcomes family hatred, first demonstrated in Romeo's pain over unrequited love.

Theme of Hate in Romeo and Juliet

Human choice results in prejudice and drives the conflict between the families.

Theme of Death in Romeo and Juliet

Death becomes synonymous with love, leading to the reconciliation of the feuding families.

First play example: A Midsummer Night's Dream

A comedy by Shakespeare focusing on love and relationships.

First play example: Hamlet

A tragedy by Shakespeare exploring themes of fate and ambition.

Establishment year of Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre was established in 1599.

Destruction year of original Globe

The original Globe was destroyed by fire in 1613.

Reconstruction year of Globe

The Globe Theatre was rebuilt in 1614.

Modern reconstruction of Globe

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre opened in 1997.

Notable themes in Shakespeare's works

Include fate, love, hate, and death.

Mercutio's curse

Cursed bloodstained conflict of Romeo and Juliet's families.

Romeo's view of fate

He believes he is fortune's fool, manipulated by greater powers.

Symbolism of birds in Romeo and Juliet

Bird colors symbolize peace and purity.

Religious imagery in Romeo and Juliet

Prominent when Romeo meets Juliet.

Thematic element: Ownership in Love

Desire and ownership are prominent themes in Romeo and Juliet.

Ending of Romeo and Juliet

The story ends where it began, symbolized with a kiss.

Prejudice in Romeo and Juliet

Hate drives the conflict, with families hating each other by association.

Reconciliation through death

The families make up only after their children's deaths.

Shakespeare's impact on literature

His works significantly shaped English literature and drama.

Themes in modern adaptations of Shakespeare

These themes continue to resonate in modern literature and theater.

The Globe Theatre and audience diversity

There was a large divide between the rich and the poor in the audience.

Significance of the Globe Theatre

Enhanced the theatrical experience and showcased Shakespeare's works.

Influence of Shakespeare's family on his writing

The loss of family members influenced themes of mortality and loss.

Cerebral hemorrhage

Likely cause of Shakespeare's death in 1616.

Shakespeare's comedic style

Uses humor and wit, with generally happy endings.

Shakespeare's tragic style

Employs serious and dramatic tones, often ending in disaster.