William Shakespeare Biographical and Historical Context                         Name:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAfih_YUgMk   

1. What are the only 5 facts about William Shakespeare that historical records confirm for sure?

Fact 1:  Shakespeare was christened in the town of __________________________ in April _______.

Fact 2:  At age 18, he married __________________ in November ____________.

Fact 3:  He was the father of three children: _____________________, born in May 1583, and twins ________________ and ____________________, born in February _______________.

Fact 4: His name first appears in print in ____________ in an attack by fellow writer Robert Green, who called Shakespeare an ______________________ for presuming to write as well as men educated at university (when Shakespeare had not been).

Fact 5: He died on________________ in ____________________________________.

2. Who did Shakespeare write his plays for and about?

1. England’s royalty                        b. Sophisticated city folk                c. People at all levels of society

3.  After 400 years, why is Shakespeare still so popular? (This question is addressed throughout the video.)

4. What are universal topics he wrote about that are still interesting to/relevant to audiences today? Provide 3.

A.  

B.  

C.  

5.  What are 2 facts you learn about the design or operation of playhouses/theaters during Shakespeare’s time?

1.    

2.  

6.  What deadly contagious disease caused theatres to close a number of times during Shakespeare’s lifetime?

7.  Only ___________________________could be actors in a play.

8.  Sons and daughters in Elizabethan times were expected to _________________________their parents.