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Meet Shakespeare: his world and his language
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At Key Stage 3 you study two Shakespeare plays, and at GCSE you will study another one in depth. Knowing a little about his world and his language makes the plays much easier to enjoy.
Who was he?
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564 and died in 1616.
He wrote plays and poems, and was also an actor and a part-owner of his theatre company.
His plays are often grouped as comedies, tragedies and histories. Many of his plays were performed at the Globe, an open-air theatre in London built in 1599.
He wrote plays and poems, and was also an actor and a part-owner of his theatre company.
His plays are often grouped as comedies, tragedies and histories. Many of his plays were performed at the Globe, an open-air theatre in London built in 1599.
Going to the theatre
Plays were performed in daylight, with few sets, so the words had to paint the scene.
The poorest audience members, called groundlings, stood in the yard around the stage.
Women did not act on the public stage: female roles were played by boys or young men.
The poorest audience members, called groundlings, stood in the yard around the stage.
Women did not act on the public stage: female roles were played by boys or young men.
Shakespeare's language
Translate 'Wherefore art thou sad?' into modern English.
- 'Wherefore' means why.
- 'art thou' means are you.
- So: Why are you sad?
Answer: Why are you sad?
Shakespeare (1564 to 1616) wrote comedies, tragedies and histories, many performed at the Globe. Learn the key old words: thou, thee, thy, art, doth, wherefore.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
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