William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet and actor born around 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. He wrote 37 plays and numerous sonnets and poems. His plays can be categorized as tragedies, histories, or comedies. Shakespeare's plays were performed in polygonal theaters like the Globe with three levels, an open center stage surrounded on three sides by the audience, and an upper stage used as a balcony. Actors in Shakespeare's time were all male, even for female roles, and costumes were passed down and not necessarily fashionable. Theater was seen as just above brothels in society at the time.
3. Biographical Information
Birthdate: unknown
Baptized April
26, 1564
Died April 23, 1616
How old?
Born in Stratford-upon-
Avon
Oftentimes called “The
Bard”
Married to Anne
Hathaway
6. Bio (cont’d)
Married at 18
Anne was 26
Pregnant when married
Three kids
Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith
Hamnet and Judith: twins
Father was a glove maker
Third child of eight
7. Shakespearean Literature
Wrote all types
Plays, sonnets, collaborations, narrative poems
37 plays
Tragedy
Protagonist is a good person with a “tragic flaw”
Overcomes his flaw because something bad
happens
History
Plays based on the lives of kings
Comedy
Not necessarily funny, but had a happy ending
9. Shakespearean Theatre
The physical theater
Polygonal in shape
Three levels of galleries
Open center
Stage
Platform surrounded on three sides by audience
Upper level of stage
Used as balcony
13. Shakespearean Theatre
(cont’d)
Actors
All men, even those
who played the part
of women
Women: normally
played by younger
men/boys
Costumes
Passed down from
wealthy
Not necessarily in
fashion
14. Society’s Thoughts of
Theater
Theater was only one step above the brothel
How does this differ from today’s beliefs?
Reason why actors were all men
Globe separated into class distinctions
Seated area: wealthier
Open area: lower class
Groundlings
