Why don’t we know much about Shakespeare's life?
Where was Shakespeare born?
What date was he born on?
Why do scholars believe that he attended the grammar school in Stratford?
Who did Shakespeare marry and what was unusual about their ages?
Why are the years between 1585 to 1592 called “The Lost Years”?
Shakespeare established himself as an 1588.
and a in
What day did he supposedly die? What is unusual about this date?
What did he leave his wife in his will?
Who did Shakespeare curse on the epitaph of his gravestone?
How did Marlowe (one of Shakespeare’s contemporaries) die?
What was the general feeling towards plays during this period in time? (What type of reputation did the theatre have?)
Before theatres were built, where were plays performed?
What was the name of the most famous theatre (built in 1599)?
What happened to this theatre?
Where did rich nobles have the option of sitting at the theatre?
What time of day were plays performed? Why?
How many women performed in these plays?
Shakespeare had a large effect on the development of English.
What word is given in the article as an example of Shakespeare creating a new word by turning a noun into a verb?
There was more influence from other European languages at this time because of the .
When addressing a superior, someone in Shakespeare’s time would use the pronoun
. When the superior responded to them, they would use the pronoun .
find phrases from Shakespeare. Write down two that are familiar to you and explain what they mean:
(phrase w/ meaning)
(phrase w/ meaning)
Shakespeare is known for his colorful insults. write a Shakespearean insult.
(insult)
What are three key arguments the author gives for believing Shakespeare did not really write what is credited to him?
1)
2)
3)
What are three key arguments that Shakespeare really did write everything that is credited to him?
1)
2)
3)
1) The Authorship Question: The author presents the argument that there is no concrete evidence to suggest that anyone else wrote Shakespeare's works. The plays and poems bear Shakespeare's name and were published during his lifetime, indicating that he was the rightful author.
2) Knowledge of Elizabethan England: The author highlights Shakespeare's extensive knowledge of Elizabethan England, its culture, politics, and society, which is reflected in his works. It is unlikely that someone else could have possessed such intimate knowledge and successfully portrayed it in writing.
3) The Stratford-upon-Avon Connection: Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, and there are records and documents that link him to the town. Additionally, his contemporaries, like Ben Jonson, referred to him as the author of the plays. This connection between Shakespeare and his hometown provides strong evidence for his authorship.
answer all the questions
Why don’t we know much about Shakespeare's life?
We don't know much about Shakespeare's life because there are very limited historical records and documents from his time. Many documents that could have shed light on his life, such as his personal letters or manuscripts, have been lost or destroyed over time.
Where was Shakespeare born?
Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
What date was he born on?
Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564.
Why do scholars believe that he attended the grammar school in Stratford?
Scholars believe that Shakespeare attended the grammar school in Stratford because there are records of his father, John Shakespeare, paying school fees for him. Additionally, Shakespeare's education level and knowledge, as reflected in his works, suggest that he received a formal education.
Who did Shakespeare marry and what was unusual about their ages?
Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. What was unusual about their ages was that Shakespeare was 18 when he married Anne, who was 26 at the time.
Why are the years between 1585 to 1592 called “The Lost Years”?
The years between 1585 and 1592 are called "The Lost Years" because there is a lack of historical records and information about Shakespeare's whereabouts and activities during this time. There are no reliable records or documents from this period, leading to speculation and speculation about what Shakespeare might have been doing during these years.
What day did he supposedly die? What is unusual about this date?
Shakespeare is believed to have died on April 23, 1616, which is also believed to be his birthday. It is unusual because dying on the same day as one's birthday is statistically rare.
What did he leave his wife in his will?
Shakespeare left his wife, Anne Hathaway, his second-best bed in his will. This has been seen as a controversial bequest, as some interpret it as a slight towards Anne, while others believe it to be a more personal and meaningful gift.
Who did Shakespeare curse on the epitaph of his gravestone?
Shakespeare's gravestone does not have an epitaph. It simply bears the inscription, "Good Friend, for Jesus' sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones."
How did Marlowe (one of Shakespeare’s contemporaries) die?
Christopher Marlowe, one of Shakespeare's contemporaries, died in 1593. He was killed in a tavern brawl, where he was stabbed to death.
What was the general feeling towards plays during this period in time? (What type of reputation did the theatre have?)
During Shakespeare's time, theatre had a mixed reputation. While it was popular among the masses and attracted large crowds, it was also seen as a morally questionable form of entertainment. The theatre was associated with immorality, rowdy behavior, and even considered a breeding ground for disease.
Before theatres were built, where were plays performed?
Before the construction of dedicated theatres, plays were performed in various locations, including courtyards of inns, public squares, and even private homes.
What was the name of the most famous theatre (built in 1599)?
The most famous theatre built in 1599 was called the Globe Theatre.
What happened to this theatre?
The original Globe Theatre burned down in 1613 during a performance of Shakespeare's play, "Henry VIII." However, it was rebuilt and continued to operate until it was closed down by the Puritans in 1642. The modern-day reconstructed Globe Theatre stands near the original site in London.
Where did rich nobles have the option of sitting at the theatre?
Rich nobles had the option of sitting in covered galleries located above the stage in the theatre. These galleries offered a better view and more comfortable seating compared to the lower-priced standing areas.
What time of day were plays performed? Why?
Plays were primarily performed in the afternoon, starting at around 2 or 3 p.m. This was because there was no electric lighting during that time, making it necessary to have performances during daylight hours to ensure proper visibility for the audience.
How many women performed in these plays?
During Shakespeare's time, women were not allowed to act on the public stage. Female roles were played by young boys or men who could convincingly portray female characters.
Shakespeare had a large effect on the development of English.
The word given in the article as an example of Shakespeare creating a new word by turning a noun into a verb is "gossip." He transformed the noun "gossip," meaning a close friend or companion, into a verb, meaning to engage in idle talk or spread rumors.
There was more influence from other European languages at this time because of the Renaissance.
When addressing a superior, someone in Shakespeare’s time would use the pronoun "you." When the superior responded to them, they would use the pronoun "thou." This difference in pronouns reflected the social hierarchy and respect for rank in Elizabethan society.
Find phrases from Shakespeare. Write down two that are familiar to you and explain what they mean:
1) "To be or not to be, that is the question" - This phrase is from Shakespeare's play Hamlet and is often used to reflect on the existential dilemma of making choices or deciding on the best course of action.
2) "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players" - This line is from Shakespeare's play As You Like It and suggests that life is like a play, and all individuals are merely actors playing their respective roles.
Shakespeare is known for his colorful insults. Write a Shakespearean insult.
"Thou art a knave, a rascal, an onion-eyed flap-dragon!"
What are three key arguments the author gives for believing Shakespeare did not really write what is credited to him?
1) Lack of education and background: The author argues that Shakespeare, coming from a modest background and without a formal education, could not have possessed the knowledge and mastery of language displayed in his works.
2) Lack of documentary evidence: The author suggests that the absence of personal letters, manuscripts, or contemporary documents specifically linking Shakespeare to the plays raises doubts about his authorship.
3) Collaboration and collective authorship: The author suggests that the collaborative nature of theatre at that time, where different playwrights contributed to a single piece, implies that Shakespeare's works may have been a result of such collaborations rather than solely his own creation.
What are three key arguments that Shakespeare really did write everything that is credited to him?
1) Contemporary acknowledgment: The author emphasizes that Shakespeare's contemporaries, such as Ben Jonson, referred to him as the author of the plays, indicating their belief in his authorship.
2) Publishing records: The author highlights that Shakespeare's name appears on the title pages of many published plays during his lifetime, implying that he was recognized as the author by those involved in their publication.
3) Internal evidence: The author argues that the depth of knowledge and insights into human nature displayed in Shakespeare's plays reflect a distinct voice and vision, pointing to his authorship.
To answer your questions and provide explanations on how to find the answers:
1) Why don't we know much about Shakespeare's life?
- We don't know much about Shakespeare's life primarily because there are few surviving records from his time and little documentation about his personal life. To learn more, you can research biographies on Shakespeare or read scholarly articles analyzing the available information.
2) Where was Shakespeare born?
- Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. You can find this information by referring to Shakespeare's biography or historical records about his birthplace.
3) What date was he born on?
- Shakespeare's exact date of birth is not known, but he was baptized on April 26, 1564. You can find this information by referring to historical records and biographies.
4) Why do scholars believe that he attended the grammar school in Stratford?
- Scholars believe that Shakespeare attended the grammar school in Stratford because his father held an important position in the town, and it was expected for children of his social standing to receive an education. There are also records of a grammar school in Stratford during Shakespeare's time, further supporting this belief.
5) Who did Shakespeare marry and what was unusual about their ages?
- Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. The unusual aspect of their ages is that Shakespeare was 18 years old at the time, while Anne Hathaway was 26 years old. You can find this information by referring to historical records and biographies on Shakespeare's life.
6) Why are the years between 1585 to 1592 called "The Lost Years"?
- The years between 1585 to 1592 are called "The Lost Years" because very little is known about Shakespeare's life during this period. Scholars have limited information on his activities and whereabouts during these years. However, some theories suggest that he may have been working as an actor or playwright in London during this time. To learn more, you can refer to Shakespearean biographies or research on "The Lost Years."
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