William Shakespeare (1564-1616), `The Bard of Avon', English poet and playwright wrote the famous 154 Sonnets and numerous highly successful oft quoted dramatic works including the tragedy of the Prince of Denmark, Hamlet;
'Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!'
--Lord Polonius, Hamlet Act I, Scene 3
Romeo and Juliet (Film 1968) Summary. Buy Study Guide. The film takes place in Verona, Italy, where a violent, ancient feud between the Montague and Capulet families ravages the city and terrorizes the townsfolk. One day, a brief spat between the enemy families erupts into a full-fledged street brawl, which is then broken up by Prince Escalus, who warns that from now on, those who fight will be put to death. Major Works Data Sheet Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Title: Romeo & Juliet Author: William Shakespeare Date of Publication:1597 Genre: Tragic Drama Biographical Information about the Author: William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom.
While Shakespeare caused much controversy, he also earned lavish praise and has profoundly impacted the world over in areas of literature, culture, art, theatre, and film and is considered one of the best English language writers ever. From the Preface of the First Folio (1623) 'To the memory of my beloved, The Author, Mr. William Shakespeare: and what he hath left us'--Ben Jonson;
'Thou art a Moniment, without a tombe
And art alive still, while thy Booke doth live,
And we have wits to read, and praise to give.'
Over the centuries there has been much speculation surrounding various aspects of Shakespeare's life including his religious affiliation, sexual orientation, sources for collaborations, authorship of and chronology of the plays and sonnets. Many of the dates of play performances, when they were written, adapted or revised and printed are imprecise. This biography attempts only to give an overview of his life, while leaving the more learned perspectives to the countless scholars and historians who have devoted their lives to the study and demystification of the man and his works.
England's celebration of their patron Saint George is on 23 April, which is also the day claimed to be the birth date of Shakespeare. Although birth and death dates were not recorded in Shakespeare's time, churches did record baptisms and burials, usually a few days after the actual event. The infant William was baptised on 26 April 1564 in the parish church Holy Trinity of Stratford upon Avon. He lived with his fairly well-to-do parents on Henley Street, the first of the four sons born to John Shakespeare (c1530-1601) and Mary Arden (c1540-1608), who also had four daughters. John Shakespeare was a local businessman and also involved in municipal affairs as Alderman and Bailiff, but a decline in his fortunes in his later years surely had an effect on William.
In his younger years Shakespeare attended the Christian Holy Trinity church, the now famous elegant limestone cross shaped cathedral on the banks of the Avon river, studying the Book of Common Prayer and the English Bible. In 1605 he became lay rector when he paid 440 Pounds towards its upkeep, hence why he is buried in the chancel. Early on Shakespeare likely attended the Elizabethan theatrical productions of travelling theatre troups, come to Stratford to entertain the local official townsmen, including the Queen's Men, Worcester's Men, Leicester's Men, and Lord Strange's Men. There is also the time when Queen Elizabeth herself visited nearby Kenilworth Castle and Shakespeare, said to have been duly impressed by the procession, recreated it in some of his later plays.
Although enrolment registers did not survive, around the age of eleven Shakespeare probably entered the grammar school of Stratford, King's New School, where he would have studied theatre and acting, as well as Latin literature and history. When he finished school he might have apprenticed for a time with his father, but there is also mention of his being a school teacher. The next record of his life is in 1582, when still a minor at the age of eighteen and requiring his father's consent, Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway (1556�1623) married in the village of Temple Grafton. Baptisms of three children were recorded; Susanna (1583-1649), who went on to marry noted physician John Hall, and twins Judith (1585-1662) who married Richard Quiney, and Hamnet (1585-1596) his only son and heir who died at the age of eleven.
It is not exactly clear what Shakespeare was doing in the first few years after the marriage, but he did go to London and worked at The Globe theatre, possibly as one of the Queen's Men whose works were harshly anti Catholic in a time of rising Protestantism. He was writing poems and plays, and his involvement with theatre troupes and acting is disparagingly condemned in a 1592 pamphlet that was distributed in London, attributed to Robert Green the playwright titled 'Groats Worth of Witte' haughtily attacking Shakespeare as an 'upstart crow';
'Yes trust them not: for there is an upstart Crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his Tyger's hart wrapped in a Player's hyde, supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blanke verse as the best of you: and beeing an absolute Iohannes fac totum [Jack-of-all-trades, Master of none], is in his owne conceit the onely Shake-scene in a countrey. O that I might entreate your rare wits to be employed in more profitable courses: & let these Apes imitate your past excellence, and never more acquaint them with your admired inventions.'
By 1593 the plague was haunting London and many who were able fled the teeming city for the cleansing airs of open country. While it was a time for many upstart theatres, the popular public entertainment of the day, they were often shut down and forbidden to open for stretches of time. Shakespeare probably spent these dark days travelling between London, Stratford, and the provinces, which gave him time to pen many more plays and sonnets. Among the first of his known printed works is the comedic and erotically charged Ovidian narrative poem Venus and Adonis (1593). It was wildly popular, dedicated with great esteem to his patron Henry Wriothesly, third earl of Southampton, the young man that some say Shakespeare may have had more than platonic affection for. It was followed by the much darker The Rape of Lucrece in 1594, The Passionate Pilgrim in 1599 and the allegorical The Phoenix and the Turtle (1601).
At this time of prolific writing, Shakespeare began his association until his death with The Lord Chamberlain's Men. With the accession of James I they became the King's Men, who bought and performed most of Shakespeare's plays. The troupe included his friend and actor Richard Burbage. They performed frequently at court, and in the theatres that Shakespeare was co-owner of including the Blackfriars, The Theatre, and The Globe in London until it burnt down during a performance of King Henry VIII. It is said that Shakespeare himself acted in a number of roles including the ghost in Hamlet and Old Adam in As You Like It. In the late 1590s he bought `New Place' on Chapel Street in Stratford, one of his many real estate investments.
Shakespeare wrote most of his plays as `quarto texts', that being on a sheet of paper folded four ways. A few of his plays were printed in his lifetime, though they appeared more voluminously after his death, sometimes plagiarised and often changed at the whim of the printer. First Folio would be the first collection of his dramatic works, a massive undertaking to compile thirty-six plays from the quarto texts, playbooks, transcriptions, and the memories of actors. The approximately nine hundred page manuscript took about two years to complete and was printed in 1623 as Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. It also featured on the frontispiece the famous engraved portrait of Shakespeare said to be by Martin Droeshout (1601-c1651).
Under the favour of the court The Kings' Men became the eminent company of the day. Most likely Anne and the children lived in Stratford while Shakespeare spent his time travelling between Stratford and London, dealing with business affairs and writing and acting. In 1616 his daughter Judith married Quiney who subsequently admitted to fornication with Margaret Wheeler, and Shakespeare took steps to bequeath a sum to Judith in her own name. William Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616, according to his monument, and lies buried in the chancel of the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford upon Avon. While there is little known of her life, Anne Hathaway outlived her husband by seven years, dying in 1623 and is buried beside him. It is not clear as to how or why Shakespeare died, but in 1664 the reverend John Ward, vicar of Stratford recorded that 'Shakespeare, Drayton and Ben Johnson had a merie meeting, and itt seems drank too hard, for Shakespeare died of a feavour there contracted.' His tombstone is inscribed with the following epitaph;
Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare
To digg the dust encloased heare
Blessed by y man y spares hes stones
And curst be he y moves my bones
Poetry
It is generally agreed that most of the Shakespearean Sonnets were written in the 1590s, some printed at this time as well. Others were written or revised right before being printed. 154 sonnets and 'A Lover's Complaint' were published by Thomas Thorpe as Shake-speares Sonnets in 1609. The order, dates, and authorship of the Sonnets have been much debated with no conclusive findings. Many have claimed autobiographical details from them, including sonnet number 145 in reference to Anne. The dedication to 'Mr. W.H.' is said to possibly represent the initials of the third earl of Pembroke William Herbert, or perhaps being a reversal of Henry Wriothesly's initials. Regardless, there have been some unfortunate projections and interpretations of modern concepts onto centuries old works that, while a grasp of contextual historical information can certainly lend to their depth and meaning, can also be enjoyed as valuable poetical works that have transcended time and been surpassed by no other.
Evoking Petrarch's style and lyrically writing of beauty, mortality, and love with its moral anguish and worshipful adoration of a usually unattainable love, the first 126 sonnets are addressed to a young man, sonnets 127-152 to a dark lady. Ever the dramatist Shakespeare created a profound intrigue to scholars and novices alike as to the identities of these people.
Tragedies
Some probably inspired by Shakespeare's study of Lives (trans.1597) by Greek historian and essayist Plutarch and Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles (1587). Some are reworkings of previous stories, many based on English or Roman history. The dates given here are when they are said to have been first performed, followed by approximate printing dates in brackets, listed in chronological order of performance.
Titus Andronicus first performed in 1594 (printed in 1594),
Romeo and Juliet 1594-95 (1597),
Hamlet 1600-01 (1603),
Julius Caesar 1600-01 (1623),
Othello 1604-05 (1622),
Antony and Cleopatra 1606-07 (1623),
King Lear 1606 (1608),
Coriolanus 1607-08 (1623), derived from Plutarch
Timon of Athens 1607-08 (1623), and
Macbeth 1611-1612 (1623).
Histories
Shakespeare's series of historical dramas, based on the English Kings from John to Henry VIII were a tremendous undertaking to dramatise the lives and rule of kings and the changing political events of his time. No other playwright had attempted such an ambitious body of work. Some were printed on their own or in the First Folio (1623).
King Henry VI Part 1 1592 (printed in 1594);
King Henry VI Part 2 1592-93 (1594);
King Henry VI Part 3 1592-93 (1623);
King John 1596-97 (1623);
King Henry IV Part 1 1597-98 (1598);
King Henry IV Part 2 1597-98 (1600);
King Henry V 1598-99 (1600);
Richard II 1600-01 (1597);
Richard III 1601 (1597); and
King Henry VIII 1612-13 (1623)
Comedies, again listed in chronological order of performance.
Taming of the Shrew first performed 1593-94 (1623),
Comedy of Errors 1594 (1623),
Two Gentlemen of Verona 1594-95 (1623),
Love's Labour's Lost 1594-95 (1598),
Midsummer Night's Dream 1595-96 (1600),
Merchant of Venice 1596-1597 (1600),
Much Ado About Nothing 1598-1599 (1600),
As You Like It 1599-00 (1623),
Merry Wives of Windsor 1600-01 (1602),
Troilus and Cressida 1602 (1609),
Twelfth Night 1602 (1623),
All's Well That Ends Well 1602-03 (1623),
Measure for Measure 1604 (1623),
Pericles, Prince of Tyre 1608-09 (1609),
Tempest (1611),
Cymbeline 1611-12 (1623),
Winter's Tale 1611-12 (1623).
Biography written by C.D. Merriman for Jalic Inc. Copyright Jalic Inc. 2006. All Rights Reserved.
The above biography is copyrighted. Do not republish it without permission.
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The film takes place in Verona, Italy, where a violent, ancient feud between the Montague and Capulet families ravages the city and terrorizes the townsfolk. One day, a brief spat between the enemy families erupts into a full-fledged street brawl, which is then broken up by Prince Escalus, who warns that from now on, those who fight will be put to death.
Romeo Montague, a handsome youth of about 17, is miserably in love with a girl named Rosaline (who makes no appearance in either the film or the original play). Meanwhile, Juliet Capulet and her family are preparing for a great masquerade ball at their home that night. A wealthy, older bachelor, Count Paris, has asked the permission of Juliet's father, Lord Capulet, to marry his only daughter, which her father asks to postpone until her approaching 14th birthday. That night, Romeo and the other Montagues secretly attend the Capulet feast. The objective of the evening is for Romeo to overcome his love for Rosaline, and when he meets and dances with Juliet, the two teenagers immediately fall in love.
Later, in one of the most famous scenes in all of Shakespeare's works, Romeo approaches Juliet's private garden and hears her speak of her feelings for him from below her balcony. He accidentally startles her, telling her that he has the same feelings and that he would renounce his family name if it meant that he could be with her. The two make plans to see each other again the next day.
Romeo goes to Friar Lawrence, a friend and confidant of his, and asks him to wed the two lovers in secret. The Friar is frustrated that Romeo's passions have switched from Rosaline to Juliet so seamlessly, but agrees to marry them, citing his hope that it will bring peace to their families. Next, Juliet sends her Nurse to meet Romeo in public. Romeo asks the Nurse to have Juliet meet him that afternoon to get married in secret. The Nurse is elated and agrees. At the chapel, the Friar warns Romeo to love Juliet in moderation, lest their love meet its untimely end. He then proceeds to marry them.
The next day, another battle in the street breaks out between one of Romeo's best friends, Mercutio, and Juliet's cousin, Tybalt. Tybalt initially wants to confront Romeo, citing his intrusion at the masquerade ball as a grave insult. Romeo, however, is riding the high of his new marriage to Juliet and greets Tybalt with warmth and respect. Thinking he's mocking him, Tybalt insults Romeo, and Mercutio jumps to defend his friend. He and Tybalt duel, and though Romeo tries to stop the fight and create peace, remembering the prince's warning, he accidentally gets in between them, and Tybalt mistakenly stabs Mercutio under Romeo's arm.
Mercutio dies a horrific, drawn-out death in which he begs for help and his friends only laugh, thinking he's kidding. When they finally realize that he was concealing a mortal wound, it is too late. Romeo becomes enraged and avenges the loss of his best friend by dueling with and slaughtering Tybalt. The bodies of Mercutio and Tybalt are brought before the prince, where Benvolio, another one of Romeo's best friends, explains to him that Romeo acted to avenge Mercutio. The prince, a relative of Mercutio's, shows mercy and banishes Romeo from Verona instead of sentencing him to death.
Major Works Data Sheet Romeo And Juliet Pdf
Unaware that Juliet has already married Romeo, Lord Capulet arranges for her to marry Paris. Juliet refuses, sending her father into a rage in which he threatens to throw her out on the streets. The Nurse implores Juliet to forget Romeo and marry Paris, which Juliet sees as a monstrous betrayal. She seeks out Friar Lawrence and together they concoct a plan to fake Juliet's death so that she can escape and be with Romeo. The Friar gives Juliet a potion to drink that will make her look dead for around 42 hours. The plan is that the Capulets, thinking her to be deceased, will send Juliet to her tomb, and then Friar Lawrence will send another Friar, Friar John, to alert Romeo of his lover's fake death. Meanwhile, Friar Lawrence will plan to meet Juliet at her tomb and help her flee.
Friar John is delayed in delivering Romeo the letter, however, and a friend of Romeo's named Balthasar witnesses Juliet's funeral and reports to Romeo that the false news she has died. In despair, Romeo goes to Juliet's tomb and, bereft at what he thinks is his lover's demise, kills himself by drinking a poison that he bought in Mantua. Friar Lawrence arrives and finds Romeo's body besides Juliet's. She then wakes up, and the Friar tries desperately to get her out of the tomb without noticing Romeo's corpse. She sees it, however, and refuses to leave him. Hearing the police approaching, the Friar flees. Juliet tries to find a way to get the potion out of Romeo, and when she can't, she uses his dagger to stab herself. She collapses onto his chest, dead.
After the police arrive, the two families and the Friar attend the funeral for Romeo and Juliet and the families agree to end their feud.
