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William Shakespeare (baptized on April 26, 1564 - April 23, 1616) was an English playwright, actor and poet who also known as the "Bard of Avon" and often called England's national poet. Shakespeare's works are known throughout the world, but his personal life is shrouded in mystery. Learn more at Biography.com.

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2. What day is recognized as his birthday?

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2. What day is recognized as his birthday?

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4. Under "Married Life:" Who did Shakespeare marry? How many children did they have?

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4. Under "Married Life:" Who did Shakespeare marry? How many children did they have?

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5. Under "Married Life:" What time period covered the "lost years"? Why are they called "the lost years"?

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5. Under "Married Life:" What time period covered the "lost years"? Why are they called "the lost years"?

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6. Under "Theatrical Beginnings:" What is the acting company Shakespeare was associated with in his early days?

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6. Under "Theatrical Beginnings:" What is the acting company Shakespeare was associated with in his early days?

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7. What day and year did Shakespeare die? What is interesting about this? How old was he when he died?

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7. What day and year did Shakespeare die? What is interesting about this? How old was he when he died?

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8. What does the word "bard" mean? Why is Shakespeare called "The Bard"?

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8. What does the word "bard" mean? Why is Shakespeare called "The Bard"?

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Use this link for #8

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William Shakespeare is called The Bard and also The Bard of Avon, because he is considered to be the greatest poet that ever lived.

Shakespeare: The Bard

The word "bard" means poet. Bards were traveling poets in medieval times, who made a living performing and telling stories. Shakespeare's plays can be grouped into three categories:

Comedies - Well known comedies include: A Midsummer Nights Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, and As You Like It.

Tragedies - Some popular tragedies are: Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Macbeth, and Hamlet.

Histories - Some of his best histories would be Richard III, Henry IV, Henry V, and Henry VI.

One thing that set him apart from other playwrights was the way he would combine parts of all three categories, so his tragedies would have comic relief and comedies would have some serious parts. This was something that had not been done before that time.

Shakespeare's Influence

Part of the genius that is Shakespeare was the fact that his work appealed to everyone, from kings to peasants. More than 400 years have passed since his birth, and his plays are still being read and performed all over the world.

There are some common themes in movies and television shows that were first used by Shakespeare, such as:

Romeo and Juliet - two young people fall in love, but are from feuding clans

The Taming of the Shrew - giving a person a taste of their own medicine

A Comedy of Errors - mistaken identity

Hamlet - being torn between loyalty and revenge

Shakespeare had influence in shaping the English language more than anyone has ever done. Over 2000 new words and phrases were created by him, including: football, schoolboy, mimic, upstairs, downstairs, shooting star, and partner.

There are many famous quotes of Shakespeare that have lasted through time that most educated people know. These show how he is still influencing our lives today:

"O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" (Romeo and Juliet)

"To be, or not to be, that is the question." (Hamlet)

"Out, damn'd spot! out, I say!" (Macbeth)

"Lord, what fools these mortals be!" (A Midsummer Night's Dream)

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" (Sonnet 18)

"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." (As You Like It)

Shakespeare's Sonnets

Most of Shakespeare's sonnets are constructed of three quatrains, or four-line stanzas, and end with a couplet (two lines). This makes up the 14-line sonnet.

The rhythm of each line is iambic pentameter. In English, to have a certain rhythm in a poem, you use a combination of stressed and unstressed syllables. Iambic is two syllables; the first is not stressed, but the second is accented. Each set of two syllables is called a foot, and five feet make up a pentameter. So each line of a Shakespearean sonnet has ten syllables.

Globe Theater

Besides being an actor and playwright, Shakespeare was also part-owner of a theatre company called Lord Chamberlain's Men. When the company's landlord, from whom they were leasing the land, wanted to tear down the theatre, they purchased land elsewhere and constructed the Globe Theatre. The Globe's first performance was in staged in 1599; with one of the first plays performed was Julius Caesar.

Shakespeare's Life

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England in April of 1564. His writing career was only 20 years long, and yet he wrote 37 plays, 154 sonnets and greatly influenced the world of literature.

He died at the age of 52 in 1616. He is called The Bard, because a bard is a poet, and The Bard of Avon, because of his birthplace.

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William Shakespeare is called The Bard and also The Bard of Avon, because he is considered to be the greatest poet that ever lived. The word "bard" means poet. Bards were traveling poets in medieval times, who made a living performing and telling stories.

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9. Shakespeare is not only famous for writing plays. He also wrote over 100 sonnets. What is a sonnet?

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9. Shakespeare is not only famous for writing plays. He also wrote over 100 sonnets. What is a sonnet?

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Traditionally, the sonnet is a fourteen-line poem written in iambic pentameter, which employ one of several rhyme schemes and adhere to a tightly structured thematic organization. Two sonnet forms provide the models from which all other sonnets are formed: the Petrarchan and the Shakespearean. Petrarchan Sonnet.

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10. Click on Sonnet 18 (one of Shakespeare's most famous) and write down the first line.

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10. Click on Sonnet 18 (one of Shakespeare's most famous) and write down the first line.

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globe theatre globe theater rebuilt globe theatre london globe theater

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Globe Theatre: Information on the outside and inside of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

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An in-depth look at Shakespeare's theater, the Globe, including a description of what the inside would have looked like.

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12. Who built the Globe (the carpenter)?

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12. Who built the Globe (the carpenter)?

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13. Where exactly was the Globe originally built?

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13. Where exactly was the Globe originally built?

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14. Summarize the use of props under the "General Structure of Shakespeare's Theatres" section. 

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14. Summarize the use of props under the "General Structure of Shakespeare's Theatres" section. 

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Use this link:

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The Globe Theater, where most of Shakespeare's plays debuted, burned down on this day in 1613.

The Globe was built by Shakespeare's acting company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, in 1599 from the timbers of London's very first permanent theater, Burbage's Theater, built in 1576. Before James Burbage built his theater, plays and dramatic performances were ad hoc affairs, performed on street corners and in the yards of inns. However, the Common Council of London, in 1574, started licensing theatrical pieces performed in inn yards within the city limits. To escape the restriction, actor James Burbage built his own theater on land he leased outside the city limits. When Burbage's lease ran out, the Lord Chamberlain's men moved the timbers to a new location and created the Globe. Like other theaters of its time, the Globe was a round wooden structure with a stage at one end, and covered balconies for the gentry. The galleries could seat about 1,000 people, with room for another 2,000 "groundlings," who could stand on the ground around the stage.

The Lord Chamberlain's men built Blackfriars theater in 1608, a smaller theater that seated about 700 people, to use in winter when the open-air Globe wasn't practical.

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The Globe Theater, where most of Shakespeare's plays debuted, burned down on this day in 1613. The Globe was built by Shakespeare's acting company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, in 1599 from the timbers of London's very first permanent theater, Burbage's Theater, built in 1576.

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16. How big was the Globe? How many people did it seat?

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16. How big was the Globe? How many people did it seat?

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Use this link:

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Visit this William Shakespeare site including information about the old Globe Theater history. Educational resource for the old Globe Theater history and William Shakespeare. Comprehensive facts about the old Globe Theater history plus many pictures.

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17. Why did the Globe have flags? How were they used? What did the various colors mean?

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17. Why did the Globe have flags? How were they used? What did the various colors mean?

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Use this link:

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Visit this site dedicated to providing information about Globe Theatre Flags.Fast and accurate facts about Globe Theatre Flags. Learn about Globe Theatre Flags.

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Look at the three photos above. The Globe Theatre (original and reproduction) has two ways to view the play: stand or sit. You can see there is no roof over the center of the theatre, called the "yard." If you sit, you are covered, but your view may be obscured at times by pillars. If you stand, you are called a "groundling" and can watch from the "yard" for a mere penny (back in the day) and a mere 5 pounds (today), but you are exposed to the elements.

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Look at the three photos above. The Globe Theatre (original and reproduction) has two ways to view the play: stand or sit. You can see there is no roof over the center of the theatre, called the "yard." If you sit, you are covered, but your view may be obscured at times by pillars. If you stand, you are called a "groundling" and can watch from the "yard" for a mere penny (back in the day) and a mere 5 pounds (today), but you are exposed to the elements.

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22. Read excerpts from Bentein's article about being a "groundling" (below). Explain whether it is better to view one of Shakespeare's plays from a seat or from the "yard." Give your own reasons and use evidence from the article. 

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22. Read excerpts from Bentein's article about being a "groundling" (below). Explain whether it is better to view one of Shakespeare's plays from a seat or from the "yard." Give your own reasons and use evidence from the article. 

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"Top tips from an experienced Groundling" By Kimberly Bentein (excerpts)

I’ve seen a lot of productions at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, it is without question one of my all-time favourite venues and the £5 standing “Groundling” ticket is – irony intended- the best seat in the house. As a Groundling, you’re part of the action as actors move through the crowd...

Eat dinner before the performance.

In all my years as a groundling, I’ve almost fainted once. I went to a matinee and skipped lunch, so I speak from personal experience when I say you should eat something before the performance starts.
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Get there early
Groundlings enter Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre via what’s known as Groundling Gate on Bankside. Experienced Groundlings will start to queue at Groundling Gate from as early as 18.00 to secure a good spot inside the yard once they’re allowed in which is normally around 19.00.

Opinions are divided on what the best place to stand in the yard is. Personally, I prefer standing at the back so you can lean against the lower gallery. Others I know, like standing right at the very front where you can lean on the stage but it does mean you have to look up the entire time.
...
Bring extra layers of clothing

The performance will continue if it rains so bring a mac or a raincoat. Umbrellas are not allowed as they block other people’s view so make sure you have something you can throw on in case it rains. It can get quite chilly towards the end of the performance so bring an extra layer you can put on.
...

Wear comfortable shoes

I think this one speaks for itself. [I have stood in the yard in heels but that was for a short student sharing of scenes. I would not recommend it for a full, 3 hour long, performance]

Bring a bottle of water and something sweet

3 hours is a long time so make sure you stay hydrated, you can refill them at water fountains on site. I also always bring a bag of sweets, so I have something on hand when I need a boost of energy.

The Globe creates a unique space in which to experience theatre because the actors can see their audience, their reactions and respond to it. It creates an atmosphere as the sun starts to set that’s nothing short of magical...
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Use the following link for questions 18-21

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Use the following link for questions 18-21

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18. How many female actors did the company usually feature?

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18. How many female actors did the company usually feature?

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19. Was Shakespeare an actor? What term was often used to refer to actors?

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19. Was Shakespeare an actor? What term was often used to refer to actors?

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20. How were the seats arranged for the audience? How did one get a good seat?

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20. How were the seats arranged for the audience? How did one get a good seat?

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21. What would the audience do if they did not like the performance?

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21. What would the audience do if they did not like the performance?