Shakespeare Background Review

Flashcards covering important facts about Shakespeare's life, his work, and related terminology.

What is the birth date of Shakespeare?

April 1564

Where was Shakespeare born?

Stratford-upon-Avon, England

What school did Shakespeare attend?

King's New School (no university)

Who was Shakespeare's wife?

Anne Hathaway

Name two of Shakespeare's children.

Hamnet Shakespeare and Susanna Hall

What was Shakespeare's career?

Playwright, poet, and actor

When was the Globe Theater constructed?

By Shakespeare's playing company in London.

Describe the Globe Theater's structure.

A three story open-air, 20-sided polygon with a thatched roof.

Where was the Globe Theater located?

Southwark, London.

How many people could the Globe Theater hold?

Around 3,000 people.

What are trap doors in the context of the Globe Theater?

A hinged or removable panel in a floor, ceiling, or roof.

What do 'heavens' refer to in Shakespeare's context?

The beautiful night sky.

What are galleries in a theater?

The upper seating areas.

What is the significance of the balcony regarding the Globe Theater?

Important seating area, typically for higher-status patrons.

What event led to Shakespeare's retirement in 1613?

A cannon fired during a play ignited the thatched roof of the Globe.

What year did the English Parliament close all theaters?

1642.

When did the Globe officially reopen in modern times?

June 12th, 1997.

What is a groundling?

A person who paid one penny to stand in front to watch the play.

What does it mean that Shakespeare was a sharer in the Globe?

He was a part-owner of the Globe Theater.

What is a drama?

A play for theater, radio, or television.

Define soliloquy.

An act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself, especially in a play.

What is an aside?

A brief remark spoken by a character directly to the audience or themselves, unheard by others.

What is a sonnet?

A 14 line poem usually written in iambic pentameter with a strict rhyme scheme.

What is blank verse?

A poem that does not rhyme.

What is iambic pentameter?

Lines of ten syllables that alternate between unstressed and stressed syllables.

Define a couplet.

Two lines of verse, usually in the same meter and joined by rhyme that form a unit.

What is a pun?

A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or words that sound alike but have different meanings.

Describe London during Shakespeare's era.

A rapidly expanding, crowded, and volatile metropolis of about 100,000-200,000 people.

Why was Queen Elizabeth important for Shakespeare?

Her support for the arts encouraged theater, helping Shakespeare’s career.

What were Lord Chamberlain’s Men?

The premier acting company in Elizabethan London.

Who was James I?

The king of Scotland who helped Elizabeth I to become queen.

Who was Richard Burbage?

The leading English actor of Shakespeare’s time.

What was Bankside?

A bustling, gritty, and unruly entertainment district in Southwark.

What skills did actors need to be successful in Shakespeare's time?

Memory for lines, strong vocal delivery, physical combat skills, dancing/singing ability, improvisation.

What was significant about the 1590s in Shakespeare’s career?

The period when Shakespeare started to gain recognition for his work.

What was the date of Shakespeare's death?

April 23rd, 1616.

How many plays did Shakespeare write?

38.

How many sonnets did Shakespeare write?

154.

What are the components of Shakespeare’s Five Act Formula?

Act I = Exposition; Act II = Rising Action; Act III = Climax; Act IV = Falling Action; Act V = Resolution.