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(1564-1616) Why Shakespeare is so popular For more than 350 years, William Shakespeare has been the world’s most popular playwright. His plays are filled with action, his characters are believable, and his language is thrilling to hear or read. He was a profound student of people and he understood them. He had a great tolerance, sympathy, and love for all people, good or evil. Types of Plays There are three main types of plays: Tragedies, Comedies, and Histories. Many of his plays were based on literary and historic works that had already been published. TRAGEDIES- depict the fall of people in high positions. Shakespeare often tried to show the dignity of people who are faced with defeat. COMEDIES- a lighter form of drama which aimed to amuse audiences. These plays ended happily. HISTORIES- based on the lives of real people. Most of these plays concerned the rise and fall of English kings and nobility. Boyhood in Stratford •Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564. This was the sixth year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The day of his birth is unknown, but he was christened on April 26 of that year. •He was born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. He was the third child and oldest son. His father was an alderman in town, and he also served as a mayor. •Little is known of Shakespeare’s youth, except that he attended the Stratford Grammar School, and did not proceed to Oxford or Cambridge. Marriage & Life in London •In 1582, when he was 18, he married Anne Hathaway. Anne was about 8 years older than William. They had three children together. The first was Susanna, born in 1583. Then, they had twins in 1585, Hamnet and Judith. •What Shakespeare did between 1583 and 1592 is not known. There are stories that he may have taught school, worked in a lawyer’s office, served on an estate, or traveled with actors. •By 1592, Shakespeare was in London, and already recognized as an actor and a playwright. He was then 28 years old. •Between 1592-1594, plague kept the London theatres closed most of the time. During these years Shakespeare wrote sonnets and poems. The Globe Theater & acting groups •Shakespeare became very well known as a poet, actor, and a playwright. •A few years later he joined one the most successful acting groups in London, called “The Lord Chamberlain’s Men”. In 1599, the group lost their lease of the theatre (which was called the “Theatre”) where they performed. •However, they were wealthy enough to build their own theatre across the Thames River, south of London. They called it “The Globe”. Shakespeare was associated with the Globe Theatre for the rest of his life. He owned shares in it, which brought him much money. This theatre opened in July of 1599. Shakespeare’s duties to the Throne Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603. King James I followed her to the throne. Shakespeare’s theatrical company (The Lord Chamberlain’s Men) was taken under the king’s patronage and called the “King’s Men”. Shakespeare and the other actors were made officers of the royal household. The company was the most successful of its time. Burned Down •Shakespeare entertained the King and the people for another ten years until June 19, 1613, when a canon fired from the roof of the theatre during a performance of Henry VIII, and set fire to the roof and burned the theatre to the ground. The audience was so absorbed in the play they ignored the fire at first. Amazingly, there were no casualties, and the next spring the company had the theatre rebuilt. •Although Shakespeare invested in the rebuilding, he retired from the stage to his home in Stratford. The death of Shakespeare Shakespeare continued to write at his home until his death in 1616, on the day of his 52nd birthday.