Building Background

Knowledge
-William Shakespeare-
 -Shakespeare’s Early Life-
One of five children, William Shakespeare is the son of John
Shakespeare and Mary Arden, who is believed to have be born on
April 23, 1564. He is believed to have attended King’s New School in
Stratford, but there are no records to prove this assumption.
 -Shakespeare’s Married Life-
When Shakespeare was 18 years old, he married Anne Hathaway.
While together, they had one daughter, Susanna, and a set of twins,
Hamnet and Judith. Unfortunately, when Hamnet 11, he passed
away.
 -Shakespeare’s Lost Years-
After Shakespeare’s wife gave birth to their twins, 7 years went by
where there were no records of Shakespeare’s existence anywhere.
There are many theories as to where Shakespeare was during this
time, such as he was in hiding or he was being an assistant
schoolmaster in Lancashire.
 -Shakespeare’s Theatrical Beginnings-
At the beginning of Shakespeare’s career, he often wrote histories
and a few comedies. He was apart of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men
Company, which is where he was a managing partner. In 1605,
Shakespeare and 4 other Acto-Sharers, built a theater called the
Globe Theater.
 -Shakespeare’s Work-
Histories and Comedies Tragedies and Tragicomedies

Shakespeare’s plays were often During Shakespeare’s late

more historic during this time,
but he also began to write a
few comedies, such as A
Midsummer Night’s Dream.
period, he wrote many
tragedies, such as Hamlet.
Which is known as some of his
best work. He also wrote many
Tragicomedies, such as The
Tempest during this time.
 -Shakespeare’s Death-
Shakespeare is believed to have died on April 23, 1616 due to an
illness, but nothing is for sure confirmed about his death, such as the
date or cause since records weren’t really kept back then.
 -Bibliography-
Bulfinch, Thomas. “Pyramis and Thisbe.” About.com. About.com, 2015.
Web. 25 February, 2013.
Folger Shakespeare Library. Folger Shakespeare Library, 2015. Web.
January 21, 2019.
“Myths.” LessonSnips. LessonSnips, 2009. Web. 20 February, 2013.
“Romeo and Juliet Summary.” Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, 2014
Web. January 21, 2019.
“Shakespeare’s Stage.” Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, 2014 Web.
January 21, 2019.
Standard Deviant School Shakespeare Tragedies: Module 1: Intro to
Shakespeare. Discovery
Education. Cerebellum, 2001. Web. January 21, 2019.
Standard Deviant School Shakespeare Tragedies: Module 2: What is
Tragedy? Discovery Education.
Cerebellum, 2001. Web. January 21, 2019.
“The History of Romeo and Juliet.” Greek and Roman Myths. Cranbury,
CT: Learning Links, Inc., 2005.
Print.
“William Shakespeare.” Biography.com. A & E Networks, LLC, 2015.
Web. January 21, 2019.