1. The Merchant Of Venice The Merchant of Venice Task 1 Done by: Zhu Jiahua (33) 2P3

2. Shakespeare Facts Famous playwright and poet Lived around 400 years ago Widely known as the greatest English writer His plays have been translated into every major living language

3. Shakespeare’s Life Born around 23rd April, in Stratford-upon-Avon The third child of eight children, of John and Mary Shakespeare Shakespeare’s social status at the time was quite high His father was a glove-maker, and became rich, rising to positions of importance in the town, becoming the mayor Mary Shakespeare was from a rich and ancient landowning family

4. Shakespeare’s Life Began education at around the age of seven, at the local grammar school, the King’s new school Studied Latin and the classics Left school at the age of fifteen or sixteen Worked under his father as an apprentice or trainee Married Anne Hathaway at the age of eighteen Anne gave birth to Susanna, the twins Hamnet and Judith Hamnet passed away at the age of eleven

5. Shakespeare’s Life Eventually went to London Became an actor and playwright Member of the group of actors called The Lord Chamberlain’s Men (renamed King’s man when James I became King in 1603) Became famous for writing tragedy, comedy and history plays, as well as poetry

6. England in Shakespeare’s time Vast difference from the England we know today People lived in small towns or villages Majority were farmers Transport was very difficult People also carried on many trades and crafts Clothmaking, leatherwork, pottery, carpentry etc.

7. England in Shakespeare’s time London was the capital city Trade was carried out with many other countries Crowded and dirty Several outbreaks of plague and other diseases The people had a strong sense of social class People who were born in a social class normally stayed there Big gap between the rich and the poor

8. England in Shakespeare’s time Rich people supported drama or music, becoming “patrons” to a group of actors or musicians, paying them for their work Queen Elizabeth I was the head of all these rich and powerful people Ruled England from 1558 to 1603 Patroness of poetry, drama, music and all the crafts Poetry and drama flourished in England at that time

9. England in Shakespeare’s time Theatres had no roof Depended on sunlight for lighting Plays were not done in the night as there were no lighting Plays were not done too early because the sun may be too bright The audience stood in the yard in front of the stage Those who could pay higher prices sat on seats There were no props for scenery, so the narrator has to show where and when the story takes place No actresses! Female were played by young boys

10. The Renaissance Means “the Rebirth of Learning” Began in Northern Italy and spread throughout Europe The people turned away from the restrictive ideas and believes of the middle ages The idea of free thinking and growing knowledge New interest in the new form of art as well as the Greek and Roman classics

11. The Renaissance (Significant Events) Black Death Discovery and translations of Plato’s works Copernican revolution Discovery of the New World Invention of the printing press

12. The Renaissance (Impact on Shakespeare) Changed the way of thinking of the people Influenced the way Shakespeare wrote his plays Less focus on religion and plays became more realistic Characters had more depth in terms of thinking Allowed him to explore the humanity of every charater, regardless of social status Used his knowledge of Greek and Roman classics in his plays that were suppressed by the Catholic Church before the Renaissance

13. The End