William Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1616 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He wrote 37 plays that are considered part of the literary canon. His plays are divided into categories of comedy, history, and tragedy. Some of his most famous plays include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Shakespeare's writing explored themes and used language that were unique for his time period in 16th century England.

1. Name(s) __________________________________ Period_______
An Internet Scavenger Hunt – The History of Shakespeare
You will be taking many adventures through Shakespeare’s time on this Scavenger Hunt. Simply read
the numbered questions, search the links provided, then type your response right on this document!
Remember to save frequently. You will be printing this completed Scavenger Hunt out for the
equivalent of one test grade. Good Morrow to you!
Part I: Meet Mr. William Shakespeare
**Note- If you are unable to find the information at the web address I have supplied, you must use
your research skills to search the Internet for the answer. Also, sometimes the site might not be
accessible-- be patient, move on and go back to it later.
Read about the world’s most famous playwright.
http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/timeline/timeline.htm
http://www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/History_n2/a.html
http://www.island-of-freedom.com/SHSPEARE.HTM
http://www.romeoandjuliet.com/author/bio.html
1.) What are the dates of Shakespeare’s life?
Birthdate: April, 1564
Death: April 23, 1616
2.) List five facts about Shakespeare’s early life.
http://www.william-shakespeare.org.uk/
1. He became part of the Lord Chamberlian’s actors.
2. Married Anne Hathaway when he was 18.
3. Went to a grammar school in Stratford.
4. He finished his education when he was 14 years old.
5. Baptized on April 26th, 1564
Have you ever read a tree? A family tree that is. . .
Check out the Shakespeare’s family genealogy at the site below.
3.) List the names of the following people:
Parents: John & Mary.
Siblings: Joan (died in infancy), Margaret, Gilbert, Joan, Anne, Richard, Edmund
Wife: Anne Hathaway
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2. Children: Susanna, Hamnet, Judith.
4.) How old was Shakespeare’s son when he died?
11 years old.
6.) There’s no place like home . . . there’s no place like home. . .
Where did Shakespeare live?
After he left Stratford-upon-Avon, he moved to London. (http://www.william-shakespeare.org.uk)
7.) Name two buildings from Shakespeare’s era that still stand today.
1. Shakespeare’s Birthplace
2. The Second Globe
A Look at the Globe! Not the map of the Earth – the theatre.
8.) When was the original Globe completed?
1598
9.) What happened to the original Globe?
It was burned down when a cannon was shot during a performance.
10.) We see various forms of advertisement today, how did they advertise at Shakespeare’s plays?
Flags were used for advertising. Pictures would be displayed on the flags to show which plays were
being performed.
11.) What role did women have in theatre at this time in history?
Women were forbidden to act in the theater.
What does a “canon” have to do with William Shakespeare? To find out, look up the literary
definition of “canon.” What canon means in literature.
12.) A literary canon is a…
Group of literary works that are important in a specific time period or genre.
13.) How many plays were in the Shakespeare canon?
37
14.) When did the canon begin and end? Begin - 1590; Ended - 1613
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3. 15.) Name two comedies and the name of a character in each. (Name cannot be a name in the title
of the play.)
1. All’s Well That Ends Well; Bertram
2. As You Like It; Rosalind
16.) Name two histories and the name of a character in each. (Name cannot be a name in the title
of the play.)
1. King John; Constance
2. Richard II; Henry Bolingbroke
17.) Name two tragedies and the name of a character in each. (Name cannot be a name in the title
of the play.)
1. Romeo and Juliet; Tybalt
2. Hamlet; Laertes
 The Shakespeare Mystery
There have been some claims as to the authorship of Shakespeare’s plays.
Read the article and list two reasons for the controversy.
- The fame and richness of William’s works and the information about the author caused the
controversy.
18.) If Will didn’t write the plays, who do they think might have been the author?
Some people think that the philosopher Francis Bacon wrote the plays, while others think that
Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford, wrote the plays.
Part II: Life in Elizabethan Times
 So, what else is going on? How does our world compare to his?
Visit the sites listed below and following the directions for each topic:
Education:
19.) Give two ways schools have changed from then till now.
1. Girls can go to school and not just boys
2. The school day was longer back then.
Childhood:
20.) Give three reasons why you wouldn’t have liked being a kid back then.
1. The school day back then ended around 5:00 pm.
2. Girls couldn’t go to school.
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4. 3. People had to pay to get public education.
Marriage:
21.) Explain the marriage contract.
The marriage starts off with a betrothal or engagement. The two people join hands and the man
gives the lady a ring that is to be worn on the right hand. The contract is sealed with a kiss and
signatures. The contract also includes the bride’s dowry which guarantees her welfare if her
husband dies first. If the man breaks the contract without a good reason, he has to give back
anything he received from others. Betrothals can be terminated if there is a mutual consent.
22.) Give three reasons why feminists (women’s liberators) would not be happy with the institution
of marriage in Shakespeare’s day.
1. The men had all of the power in the marriage.
2. The women had to either marry or be a burden to their families.
3. The women were considered as their husband’s property.
 “What you talkin’ bout Willis?”
Shakespeare certainly didn’t have the same dialect and “lingo” you are most familiar with. In fact, not
even close to today’s language of double entendres.
23.) List at least four examples of how Shakespeare’s “talk of the time” was different than how we
talk now. Good morrow. (Site #2)
1. Okay - Marry shall I.
2. Excuse Me - I crave your forgiveness
3. Please - An thou likest
4. Thank You - I thank thee
Everyone isn’t always kind and caring in Shakespeare’s plays. He certainly had a way with words
and at the next site you will find a list of insults that are sure to bring about a look!
24.) Pick out four of your favorite insults and list them. It doesn’t matter if you understand them –
just pick out the ones that sound good.
1. Away, you bottle-ale rascal, you filthy bung, away!
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5. 2. You are as a candle, the better burnt out.
3. Out of my sight! Thou dost infect my eyes.
4. Thou unmuzzled toad-spotted foot-licker!
What is that you are wearing? You won’t find this at the Gap!
The Renaissance Era brought about some unusual attire. How about wearing a jerkin to dinner? No, I
didn’t say invite one, I said wear one. Ha-ha!! Go to the next site and research the clothes of the time.
25.) List five articles of clothing unlike what people wear today and explain what they are used for or
what they have been replaced with.
(Hint: a corset could be one of them)
1. Smock/Shift - first layer of clothing a women puts on. It was an undergarment worn to protect
outer clothing
2. Corset - close-fitting bodice stiffened with reed and whalebone.
3. Stockings - came just above the knee, stockings are still used today and are often called
‘tights’
4. Spanish Farthingale - cone-shaped hoop skirt
5. Gowns - This is usually the last layer of clothing that is put on.
26.) What were some of the penalties in Elizabethan times associated with NOT wearing the proper
clothing?
Fines, the loss of property, title and sometimes life.
Food: Who doesn’t like food? How are food items different in Elizabethan times?
27.) List four differences with an explanation of the differences.
1. Elizabethan food was sweeter than today’s. Most food were cooked with fruits which created
the sweetness.
2. Tomatoes were considered doubtful if they weren’t poisonous, and in today’s world, tomatoes
are very popular.
3. Almond was the most common sweet back then, and now almond’s aren’t even used much.
4. Potatoes weren’t very popular but turnips were. Potatoes are used so much in today’s world.
The mighty pen. . .
Let’s look at Shakespeare’s use of the English language. Go here and look at some of Shakespeare’s
most popular quotes. (Try your best.)
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6. 28.) Pick one to translate into modern English and explain it in your own words.
Quote: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." ~
Romeo & Juliet
Modern Translation: It doesn’t matter what the name is, because something will remain the same even if
the name was different or changed.
Explanation: Romeo and Juliet can’t be together because of their names. Juliet says that she can’t be
with Romeo because of his name, but then she questions why his name even matters. Romeo’s name is
just a name, and he will still be Juliet’s love even if his name is changed, just like the rose that will still
smell the same even if it was called differently.
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