Shakespeare's Two Famous Plays
Shakespeare's Two Famous Plays
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Shakespeare was one of the most original
minds of his time, developing ideas & lines that last to this day.
Don't believe me?
If you've ever said: It's Greek
to me, or you act more in sorrow than in anger, or you suffer from the
green-eyed monster; if you bid me good riddance & send me packing;
if you wish me as dead as a door-nail; if you think me the devil incarnate,
a stony-hearted villain, bloody-minded, or a blinking idiot-- you're
quoting Shakespeare.
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
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Shakespeare was born April 23, 1564, in Stratford, England. He was baptized a few days later in Holy Trinity Church. He was the third of 8 children & almost died from the plague as a child. Educated in the basics at Stratford Grammar School, his real learning came from watching people. |
| The most photographed & well-known house is Shakespeare's birthplace, located in downtown Stratford. It receives thousands of visitors each year. |  |
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Another favorite is Anne Hathaway's house in the country. Anne was Shakespeare's wife, whom he married when he was only 18. Her family was rather well-off & owned lots of land. They married in 1582 & had three children. |
| Shakespeare's father, John, was an apprentice glover & leather tanner; he later became mayor. Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden, owned a large estate in Willmecote. They married between 1556 & 1558. |  |
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Shakespeare soon went to London to make his fortune & became a very successful writer & actor. He retired in 1611, returned to Stratford, & bought "New Place." |
| He died on April 23, 1616, & is buried in Holy Trinity Church. His gravestone is complete with a curse against moving his body. |  |
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Stratford is now known as the home of William Shakespeare. The famous & respected RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) is based there. |
THE GLOBE
"All the world's a stage, & all the men & women merely players"
Shakespeare was probably the most
popular playwright in England in his day. When the flag flew over the Globe,
Londoners flocked to the theatre. A full house was as many as 2000 people
& when a new play debuted, you can bet the place was packed to capacity.
Shakespeare understood the audience
for which he was writing. He gave the more educated people in the high-priced
seats his dramatic language & inventive words. He didn't write only
for scholars; those who had to stand to watch the plays were a rough bunch
(a kind of Elizabethan biker gang). They chose Shakespeare over bear-baiting,
gambling, drinking, & women because Shakespeare knew what they liked:
his plays deal with witches, ghosts, drunks, lovers, murderers, & dirty
puns with double meanings. He was a great study of human nature; this is
what made him a good writer. The motives, events, & people in his plays
can be found today. Change the words & it's a modern must-see TV show;
his plays are timeless - that's why he's a great writer
WHAT WAS IT LIKE? A LOOK INSIDE THE NEW GLOBE THEATRE IN LONDON
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You can see the stage & how ornately decorated it was, as well as the pillars, balcony, & doors to the tiring house. You're standing in the yard with the other groundlings; off to the right you can see the gallery seats. |
The Heavens are located under the stage roof. Painted to appear like the night sky, this version has the sun, moon, stars, clouds, & several zodiac signs. |
LINKS
Shakespeare's Globe Research Database