...Shakespeare Who was William Shakespeare? Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, in 1564. Very little is known about his life, but by 1592 he was in London working as an actor and a dramatist. Between about 1590 and 1613, Shakespeare wrote at least 37 plays and collaborated on several more. Many of these plays were very successful both at court and in the public playhouses. In 1613, Shakespeare retired from the theatre and returned to Stratford-upon-Avon. He died and was buried there in 1616. What did he write? Shakespeare wrote plays and poems. His plays were comedies, histories and tragedies. His 17 comedies include A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Merry Wives of Windsor. Among his 10 history plays are Henry V and Richard III. The most famous among his 10 tragedies are Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear. Shakespeare’s best-known poems are The Sonnets, first published in 1609. What are the quartos? Shakespeare’s plays began to be printed in 1594, probably with his tragedy Titus Andronicus. This appeared as a small, cheap pamphlet called a quarto because of the way it was printed. Eighteen of Shakespeare’s plays had appeared in quarto editions by the time of his death in 1616. Another three plays were printed in quarto before 1642. In 1623 an expensive folio volume of 36 plays by Shakespeare was printed, which included most of those printed in quarto. Why are the quartos important? None of Shakespeare’s manuscripts survives, so the printed texts of his...
Words: 382 - Pages: 2
...William Shakespeare was great English playwright, dramatist and poet who lived during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Shakespeare is considered to be the greatest playwright of all time. No other writer’s plays have been produced so many times or read so widely in so many countries as his. William Shakespeare was born in Stratford in 1564. He was one of eight children. When William Shakespeare was about seven years old, he probably began attending the Stratford Grammar School with other boys of his social class. Students went to school year round attending school for nine hours a day. The teachers were strict disciplinarians. Stratford was an exciting place to live. Stratford also had fields and woods surrounding it giving William the opportunity to hunt and trap small game. The River Avon, which ran through die town, endowed him the title the Bard of Avon. Shakespeare’s poems and plays show love for nature and rural life which reflects his childhood. In London, Shakespeare’s career took off. It is believed that he may have become well I known in London theatrical life by 1592. By that time, he had joined one of die city’s repertory theatre companies. These companies were made up of a permanent cast of actors who presented different plays week after week. The companies were commercial organisations that depended on admission from their audience. Scholars know that Shakespeare belonged to one of the most popular acting companies in London called...
Words: 510 - Pages: 3
...Shakespeare was a respected poet and playwright in his own day, and is widely regarded today as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet. As quoted in an article,” The Romantics, in particular, acclaimed Shakespeare's genius, and the Victorians worshipped Shakespeare with a reverence that George Bernard Shaw called "bardolatry"”. In the 20th century, his work was repeatedly adopted and rediscovered by new movements in scholarship and performance, and is currently an active part of education curriculums. His plays remain highly popular today and are constantly studied, performed and reinterpreted in diverse cultural and political contexts throughout the world. It is safe to say that although Shakespearean plays were set in the Renaissance Era, they are still the epitome of English literature and are revered by theaters, performers and audiences alike due to their remarkable credibility in portraying everlasting political, social and moral issues. http://www.neptunetheatre.com/content/Shakespeare_hat_trick His plays move from romantic to tragic, humorous to serious so much so that he not only caters to all tastes but also all times by portraying the political situation of his times as well as the way of living. Even Romeo and Juliet, considered by many as a die –hard romantic scripture actually highlights political issues. One of the main political aspects of the play was when count Paris uses...
Words: 3064 - Pages: 13
...“King Lear”, a play written by Shakespeare is about a king from Britain who decides to step off the throne. He wants to divide his kingdom in three, and leave the pieces to his daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. He states that he will give the biggest piece to the daughter who can prove loves him most. Two of his daughters flatter him so dearly, and the other states that her true love for her father cannot be explained in words and she simply loves him with all her heart. The king is not happy with her words, so he banishes her from the castle and leaves her with nothing; however he unfortunately divides the pieces remaining to his two false daughters who have fed him with lies. While all this is going on Lear starts to realize the foolish mistakes he has been making and other families are having some similar issues. Many characters go through life altering events and finally see the plain truth at the end of the play, where it is in some cases too late to apologize for. They experience hardships, regrets, sorrow and grief. This play runs through many interlocking themes such as blindness, justice, and appearance and reality. The theme of blindness is ever so present in this play. For one, Cornwall and Regan poke out Gloucester’s eye because he helped Lear in a time of need. This physical act represents the symbolic nature of Lear and Gloucester’s great blindness. Both are blind to the falseness of their children. They praise the ones that are untrue to them, and believe...
Words: 1033 - Pages: 5
...issues of love, hate, jealous, incest, power struggle, and most importantly the revenge. These themes are all present in Hamlet, and were a theatre element that was most enjoyed by Elizabethan audiences. There are really only two great “speeches” in Act IV of Hamlet, one by Hamlet and one by the King Claudius. The King’s speech, in Act IV, Scene 5, which begins “O, this is the poison of deep grief,” gives a sort of summary of the situation in the play at that particular point. Hamlet’s speech in Act IV, Scene4 is probably the most affective one in the play “Rightly to be great Is not to stir without great argument, But greatly to find quarrel in a straw, When honor’s at the stake.” In the Elizabethan era version of Hamlet by William Shakespeare, many characters’ actions have an effect on the audience viewing the play. In Act I Scene IV King Claudius discovers that Hamlet has killed Polonius, his chief counsellor. This enrages Claudius and he expresses anger, fear and disappointment. These actions shown by Claudius affect the audience of the Elizabethan era because it shows that a King feels authority, humanity and inefficacy. Authority has always been a principle part of society. All rulers have used authority as control over people and their lives. King Claudius feels so powerful and has abused his authority with no regrets. He wants hamlet to be jailed for the crime he has committed. This expression of anger and authority by the King would have a great effect on the Elizabethan...
Words: 606 - Pages: 3
...Some think of it as an advocate for male supremacy; others call it a personification of affection. Written by William Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew, while having been produced in society ingrained with male dominance, also portrays side of playful affection and crimson love between couples in the Elizabeth age. Shakespeare writes of Petruchio and Kate, a male and female who sharply oppose each other. It touches on Kates changing character and allows her to undergo three phases: Kate's character in beginning, methods Petruicho uses to tame Kate and the final outcome (how Kate has changed). Petruicho must "tame" his wife Kate without breaking her true inner spirit. Taming of Shrew unravels to reveal a wild beastly Katharine lacking respect for her family, herself and others around her. Kate is a very outspoken and vulgar woman without respect to authority.Katharine, although depicted as a beautiful woman quickly becomes the talk of Padua. Kate has found that if she is loud and obnoxious she can have her way. She screams, grunts and pushes those who she does not get along with.The general character of Katharine seems to be that of a small child. Peturichos methods of pursuit in some cases border along the lines of torture. Peturicho manipulates and exploits Kates character in order to change her outward actions. Although Peturicho does not want to change Kates inward thoughts, he does not want to break her spirit. The greatest example can be quoted below; Petruchio says...
Words: 583 - Pages: 3
...The Strength of Social Identity Social identity is a very prominent feature that individuals learn to develop over the course of their life. In Shakespeare’s play, The Taming of the Shrew, Pertruccio, a wealthy businessman from Verona, has a very strong social identity that stems from his inner confidence in himself, and that explains his misconstrued outlook on women. On the other hand, in Shakespeare’s play, The Winter’s Tale, King Leontes, the king of Sicily has very little self-confidence and can be seen as a skeptic in most cases, which ultimately leads to his uncharacteristically low self-esteem for being a king. Tying these two together, it was fascinating how Pertruccio and King Leontes have such contrasting social identities given their respective roles in a society that is centered on hierarchy and social status. In The Taming of the Shrew, Pertruccio’s social identity plays a vital role in the outcome of the play. Overflowed with confidence, which can be easily viewed as arrogance, Pertruccio prides himself on being the master at taming women. From the beginning of the play it is apparent that his character is fairly predictable. As an example of the undeniably strong faith he has in himself, he claims that he can and will tame Katharine. He follows that definitive statement by saying, "Thou mush be married to no man but me; /for I am he am born to tame you, Kate; /and bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate conformable, /as other household Kates. Here comes your father;...
Words: 1107 - Pages: 5
...William Shakespeare is widely viewed as the most renowned playwright and poet of all time. He was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England to John and Mary.(1) Two of his siblings died shortly after birth after falling ill with the plague, not much else is known about the others. He married at the age of 18 and had three children. It is believed he began his career as an actor and and writer some time between 1585 and 1592, after retiring at 49.(2) In this time he wrote over 36 plays and with them introduced new ideas to the writing and creating of plays. Although Shakespeare was a great influence in his field during his lifetime, this is nothing compared to the cultural impact he has had in the hundreds of years since his death. Shakespeare's plays have long since been quoted and have inspired new adaptations, even being brought to film as large Hollywood productions. His works have inspired countless artists, novelists, playwrights in their art. Drama students can focus on becoming respected Shakespearean actors, specializing in the language and acting skills it takes to successfully perform in these productions. Around the country, actors and patrons alike celebrate Shakespeare and his plays by participating in festivals in his name. To this day, students around study Shakespeare's work in order to learn literature and the history of the English language. Shakespeare is responsible for...
Words: 405 - Pages: 2
...Continuing to Study Shakespeare in School I. Should students continue to study Shakespeare in school, that is the question? Nearly four centuries since of the death of William Shakespeare, the great classical poet and dramatist of the English language are met, and in addition to general acclaim for his work, the debate has increased with the discussion on the appropriateness or otherwise of teaching Shakespeare to American high school students today. a. High school curriculum should continue to keep such an important figure as part of their studies. b. The name William Shakespeare means so much to the history of literature; his ability to connect to the human emotion is timeless; however, his most important legacy is the lasting impression he had left on the English language and the world entertainment world. II. Historical importance - At first glance it would seem inappropriate to dispose of curricula US literary legacy so powerful, intimate and transcendent like Shakespeare. Somehow that is what, in the narrow field of education, defends Dusbiber Dana, a high school teacher in Sacramento, California, where most of the students come from families of minority and low income. a. For Dusbiber, according to the story in the Washington Post, Shakespeare is simply irrelevant. Dusbiber confesses he does not like Shakespeare and he does not believe an English white died in 1616 is the only way to teach your students about the human condition, and that the author should be taught...
Words: 1067 - Pages: 5
...William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe It’s amazing that the lives of these two men were so different. They worked in the same profession, in the same town, at the same time, with the same people and in the same places (London theatres). They were contemporaries, both writers for the Elizabethan stage. Both wrote tragedies, Comedies and poetry. They were both respected among their peers. This is where the similarities end. While Both Shakespeare and Marlowe were great writers. Though Marlowe died early in his career he may have been remembered as well as Shakespeare but for different reasons. Educationally they were a great contrast. Shakespeare had had little schooling, quitting school when he was fifteen years old. Marlowe, by comparison, had two degrees including a master’s from Corpus Christi College at Cambridge University. Shakespeare had had no opportunity to learn foreign languages though Marlowe was fluent in many. In a similar manner, Shakespeare had had no opportunity to learn protocol of military life, legal matters or court manners, things in which Marlowe was proficient -- things that were frequently a part of many of the Shakespearean plays. There are more than a hundred duplicate lines in the works of Shakespeare taken from previous writings of Marlowe. Many readers, critics, and biographers have remarked on close similarities between Marlowe’s works and Shakespeare’s poems and plays. The following material is summarized by Alex Jack, editor...
Words: 619 - Pages: 3
...Shakespeare We don’t know much about Shakespeare’s life. He comes from the little provincial town Stratford, which is close to Avon. The father was a craftsman and he was a member of the town council; for three years he also was a mayor. Shakespeare has probably gone to Stratford Grammar School, which you still can see in town, but we don’t know much about what he learnt in school. In 1582 when he was 18 years old, he married Ann Hathaway, who was 7-8 years older; she was the oldest daughter of a well-to-do farmer. Their first child was born the year afterwards, only six months after the wedding; later they got twins. There are lots of explanations, why Shakespeare went to London, but most of the explanations are anecdotes from a time afterwards. Some scientists mean that he became a member of a theatre company, there were on a visit in Stratford. The first time we are hearing about him again is in 1592, and at that time he is a famous person in London. He is mostly famous as an actor and as an act writer, but he was also owner of the Globe Theatre. Shakespeare wrote 37 plays; comedies, tragedies and historical dramas. His play has something for every taste; there are exciting acts, strong feelings, colors and comedy. Shakespeare’s themes are the love, the nature, the power and its responsibility. The central theme is the human, and especially after 1600 you feel the bitterness against the humans. About 1611 he turned back to Stratford, maybe the same year as he wrote...
Words: 322 - Pages: 2
...----------------------- FOUR TYPES OF PLAYS: I. Tragedy They contain a heroic figure, often a nobleman, who has a serious fatal flaw. Their weakness thus becomes their down fall and is often the cause of their or others demise. It also included a serious theme, and in the end the death of someone important. Ex. Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth II. Comedy They contain satiric language, word plays, heavy puns, and metaphors, love or lust with obstacles that the lovers must overcome throughout the play. Mistaken identities are often used in both intentional and unintentional ways for comic relief. Ex. The Merchant of Venice III. History The central theme is the gain and loss of power, and the theme of divine right. These plays also help to view the class system of the time period. Ex. King John IV. Romance They contain a redemptive plotline with a happy ending involving the re-uniting of separated family members and a mixture of civilized and pastoral scenes. Ex. The Winter’s Tale A TYPICAL ELIZABETHAN PLAYGOER: A. What time did the performance of plays begin at the Globe? The times of plays at the Globe Theatre generally started at 3:00 pm. B. What did the flying flag mean? Red, White or Black Flags flying form the flag mast at the top of the Globe Theatre indicated whether the play to be performed was a history, comedy or a tragedy. C. Why weather could affect the performance...
Words: 584 - Pages: 3
...To be or not to be Shakespeare? The authorship of Shakespeare's works is the subject of ongoing debate in literary and theatrical circles, where it is doubtful that Shakespeare was really the man of Stratford recognized by the official story. This controversy surfaced because it is difficult to believe that the tradesman of Stratford could be the genius behind the greatest poems and playwrights ever written. Since the 19th century , a fierce debate arose between the sulfur Oxfordians ( who believe that a man so uneducated as William Shakespeare could not have written works as remarkable ) and the Stratfordiens , for whom the identity and genius of Shakespeare make no doubt. According to biographical information William of Stratford grew up in an illiterate household in the remote agricultural town of Stratford-upon-Avon. There is no record that he traveled at all or that he ever left England. Firstly, how can an uneducated man write such a titanic work ? The Anti-Stratfordians speculate that the man in Stratford who did not even go through a day’s school education, could not have revealed to the world, at the age of twenty, his first verses of the most highly-regarded poems and playwrights in history. The Anti-Stratfordians argue that only a well educated person, versed in history, linguistics, politics and many other fields could have reached such feats of written art. Secondly, anoter idea upon which the Anti-Stratfordians base their conspiracy...
Words: 559 - Pages: 3
...Allusion |Literal Meaning |How it develops Theme |Sources | | |I would have such a fellow|The meaning is that Hamlet |This quote helps develop theme |http://www. | |whipped for o'erdoing |would beat up a man for |because it represents the theme |bignerds.com/papers/86464/Theme-And-Understan| |Termagant |acting out.(Termagant-acting |of revenge and how it not only |ding/ | | |like a shrew) Tergament is an|effects one person but others | | | |allusion to a God that the |around them. | | | |Elizabethans believed that | | | | |the Muslims worshipped | | | |It out herods Herod |Hamlet wants Ophelia to avoid|This quote develops the theme of |http://www.gradesaver.com/hamlet/q-and-a/i-ne| | |acting like a termagant or a |state of mind in hamlet because |ed-to-post-an-allusion-from-either-act-i-ii-o| | |Herod. Also to not be more |it gives us an idea of the |r-iii-its-literal-meaning-its-implicit-meanin| | |like Herod...
Words: 258 - Pages: 2
... Ms. Franklin English II 12 May 2014 William Shakespeare was one of the best writers of his time, and has written stories that are still being read and talked about today. He was thought of to be an inspiration to many upcoming writers and has helped to shape literature into what is today. Shakespeare’s writing s give vivid and interesting details about the topic he is writing about. His writings also tend to make others enjoy reading more often. Even though Shakespeare has no birth records there are church records which indicate that a William Shakespeare was baptized at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564. From that information they believed that he was born either on or near April 23, 1564. Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582. William was 18 and she was 26 and also pregnant. Shakespeare’s first child was a daughter born on May 26, 1583, they named her Susanna. Shakespeare was the third child of John Shakespeare who was a leather merchant and his mother Mary who was a local landed heiress. Shakespeare had two sisters Joan and Judith, and his three younger brothers Gilbert, Richard and Edmund. From roughly 1594 Shakespeare was an important member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men Company of theatrical players. It was said that “Shakespeare wrote plays that capture the complete range of human emotion and conflict. Shakespeare was also often called the English national poet and is to be considered the greatest...
Words: 616 - Pages: 3
