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Introduction To Shakespeare Notes

William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and spent most of his time in London as a playwright and actor, creating his most famous works. In Elizabethan England, entertainment included theatre, executions, and bear-baiting, with low literacy rates and poor sanitation. The Globe Theatre, built in 1599 and located on the Thames, hosted Shakespeare's acting company and could hold 3000 people from all social classes.

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496 views

Introduction To Shakespeare Notes

William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and spent most of his time in London as a playwright and actor, creating his most famous works. In Elizabethan England, entertainment included theatre, executions, and bear-baiting, with low literacy rates and poor sanitation. The Globe Theatre, built in 1599 and located on the Thames, hosted Shakespeare's acting company and could hold 3000 people from all social classes.

Uploaded by

mckee_jem
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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(Re) Introduction to Shakespeare Notes

(About) William Shakespeare

• Born 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon

• Married to Anne Hathaway & had three children, son


died in childhood

• Spent most of his time in London, not with his family

• Was a playwright and an actor

• Most famous writer of all time

Living Conditions in Shakespeare’s Time

• Low literacy rate

• Lack of cleanliness*

• Theatre, public executions, gambling and bear-baiting


were popular entertainment

Elizabethan England

• Monarch in 1590s was Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry


VIII

• Ruled for 44 years

• She supported English drama and the arts

• Period of political stability & patriotism

• 1603 - Elizabeth dies and James I from Scotland


becomes king**

• James I commissioned a ‘modern’ English version of


the Bible – now known as King James Bible

The Globe Theatre


• Built in 1599 for The Lord Chamberlain’s Men acting
company

• Shakespeare and some of the actors became


shareholders

• Circular playhouse could hold 3000 people

• Located on the River Thames across from central


London in a seedy part of town

• All classes came to together, but the commoners


stood in the courtyard and the upper class sat in the
balcony section

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