Shakespeare history for kids

These plays did not necessarily tell the truth, but the version that was most acceptable to the queen or king. The politics of the court and what people on the street were talking about also inspired Shakespeare. When James I came to the throne, Shakespeare wrote his Scottish play, Macbethwhich featured the witches James was interested in.

The character of Banquo was portrayed as good and wise — because James was descended from him. Shakespeare set some of his plays, such as Twelfth Night and A Merchant of Venicein Italy — which was far enough away to be a kind of fantasy world for the English. Italians were also the butt of a lot of English jokes at the time — probably because Italy was where the Pope lived, and was strongly associated with Catholics.

Shakespeare used stories from older books of all sorts for his non-historical plays. He borrowed from Latin and Greek authors as well as adapting stories from elsewhere in Europe. Hamlet is borrowed from an old Scandinavian tale, but Romeo and Juliet comes from an Italian writer writing at the same time as Shakespeare. Adapting the work of other writers was very common at the time.

Although he borrowed plots, Shakespeare made the details his own, and often combined different plots. Find out more by working through a topic. About Shakespeare - audience and social attitudes. About Shakespeare - language and relevance. Shakespeare has been credited for adding new words and phrases to the English language and for making some words more popular.

He created over 1, English words. Shakespeare was the son of John Shakespearean alderman and a successful glover glove-maker originally from Snitterfield in Warwickshireand Mary Ardenthe daughter of an affluent landowning family.

Shakespeare history for kids: William Shakespeare was born in in

He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. His date of birth is unknown, but is traditionally observed on 23 April, Saint George's Day. He was the third of eight children, and the eldest surviving son. Although no attendance records for the period survive, most biographers agree that Shakespeare was probably educated at the King's New School in Stratford, a free school chartered inabout a quarter-mile m from his home.

Grammar schools varied in quality during the Elizabethan era, but grammar school curricula were largely similar: the basic Latin text was standardised by royal decree, and the school would have provided an intensive education in grammar based upon Latin classical authors. At the age of 18, Shakespeare married year-old Anne Hathaway. The couple had three children, Susanna married John HallHamnet Shakespeare died at the age of 11 due to unknown reasons and Judith married Thomas Quiney.

It is not known when Shakespeare began writing, but several of his plays were on the London stage by Byhis name had become a selling point and began to appear on the title pages. Shakespeare continued to act in his own and other plays after his success as a playwright. Throughout his career, Shakespeare divided his time between London and Stratford.

Shakespeare history for kids: 1) During his lifetime, William Shakespeare

Inthe year before he bought New Place as his family home in Stratford, Shakespeare was living in the parish of St Helen'sBishopsgate, north of the River Thames. He moved across the river to Southwark bythe same year his company constructed the Globe Theatre there. Gambling was very popular and people watching the fights would often bet on the results.

These cruel sports often saw the animals fight to the death. Watching an execution or public beating was another gruesome type of entertainment. Shakespeare used images from these cruel entertainments in his plays. Macbeth compares himself to a bear shortly before he is killed by Macduff:. It was an open-air theatre and it is believed that it could hold around 3, people.

The standing tickets in front of the stage only cost one penny, which meant everyone could afford to experience the theatre. People who stood to watch the play were called groundlings. Seats in the gallery were more expensive, and were higher up and covered. The most expensive seats were near the stage. Some people even rented a stool to sit on the stage, which was a popular choice for those who wanted to show off their expensive clothes.

The upper classes were also badly behaved at the theatre.

Shakespeare history for kids: Very little is known about William

One observer at the time wrote that the gallants close gallant An old-fashioned term for a man who wore fashionable clothing. Narrator: From the diary of Thomas Platter. A contemporary account of a visit to an Elizabethan theatre. Platter: There are separate galleries, and there one stands more comfortably and, moreover, can sit.

But one pays more for it. Thus anyone who remains on the level, standing, pays only one English penny. But, if he wants to sit, he is let in at a farther door, and there he gives another penny. If he desires to sit on a cushion, in the most comfortable place of all, where he not only sees everything well but can also be seen, then he gives yet another English penny at another door.

And in the pauses of the comedy, food and drink are carried round amongst the people and one can thus refresh himself at his own cost. Historic events happened during his life, including the Gunpowder Plot. He married Anne Hathaway when he was eighteen. Shakespeare's plays sometimes had magicwitches and strange, far-off places.

Shakespeare history for kids: William Shakespeare was born in

This was new and exciting for the time. Shakespeare wrote famous poetry as well as plays. Did you know? You can visit the actual house in which Shakespeare was born. Plays had to be approved by somebody called the Master of the Revels. Girls and women were not allowed to perform on stage. Their roles were played by boys or men. Activity 1 — Sort the events of William Shakespeare's life.