SH+2014-15+P6+William+Shakespeare

Aim: Cade Powell

Much of William Shakespeare life is unknown except for his works as one author states, “There are two primary sources that provide historians with a basic outline of his life. One source is his work—the plays, poems and sonnets—and the other is official documentation such as church and court records” (William Shakespeare 1). William Shakespeare was a writer between approximately 1590 and 1613, he is attributed with writing 38 plays, multiple famous sonnets and 5 other poems. He is one of the most known and read authors because of his writings. Shakespeare were very intriguing as he used a pattern consisting of lines of unrhymed word that is now called blank verse. His plays were also composed using blank verse; there are passages in all the plays that deviate from the normal influencing other writers to adapt to Shakespeare's style. Shakespeare's first established himself through the theater as an actor which is supported one author saying,”By 1599, William Shakespeare and his business partners built their own theater on the south bank of the Thames River, which they called the Globe...This made him an entrepreneur as well as an artist” (William Shakespeare 1). This gave Shakespeare time to write and organize dramatic plays. Shakespeare's writing of stories that are dramatic and complex to the reader are still some the most well-known plays in the modern-day.

Alchin, Linda. "William Shakespeare Biography." William Shakespeare Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014. Mabillard, Amanda. What Inspired Shakespeare? Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug. 2000. Web. 21 Oct. 2014. "William Shakespeare Biography." Bio.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

Historical: Leonard Aros Though there is little known about William Shakespeare, his many works of literature have changed the English language and live on as masterpieces. An article states, “the personal history of William Shakespeare is somewhat a mystery. There are two primary sources that provide historians with a basic outline of his life. One source is his work—the plays, poems and sonnets—and the other is official documentation such as church and court records” (“William Shakespeare Biography” 1). Hardly anything is known about the life of William Shakespeare. Much of the information that is known about Shakespeare is based on official records such as marriage and baptism. Another article states, “In his poems and plays, Shakespeare invented thousands of words, often combining or contorting Latin, French, and native roots… Shakespeare wrote more than thirty plays” (“William Shakespeare” 1). During his life, Shakespeare wrote hundred of poems and over thirty plays which have have become influential in modern literature. Shakespeare’s poems were released in volumes at hundreds at a time, but never lived up to the critical acclaim of his plays. One his most famous works, Romeo and Juliet, was among the most popular that he wrote in his lifetime and has become a staple of American literature. Shakespeare’s greatest contribution to American literature was his creation of thousands of English words throughout his plays and poems which have dramatically shaped the language. This makes the poet/writer one of the most influential of his time. . "William Shakespeare" Poets.org. n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014 "William Shakespeare Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

Cultural: Alejandro Urquides Many of Shakespeare’s plays are still read in schools today, and are widely regarded as some of the greatest pieces of literature ever because of their ability to be interpreted and reinterpreted. He has had a large impact on writing and the English language, and is considered one of the greatest playwrights and writers of all time. Many think of him this way because of his ability to write all kinds of different plays; comedies, tragedies, and histories being his most famous. Many of his plays have been made into movies, and are referenced in modern culture, the most famous being Romeo and Juliet. He is so well known that he is the second most quoted writer in the history of the english language, only after writers of the bible (“Shakespeare Facts” 1). He has not only influenced many writers both in his time and in modern times, but has also had an impact on the english language as a whole, making over 1700 words, as well as coining phrases that are common today. Many quotes and cliches that are said today are because Shakespeare wrote them (“Why is Shakespeare Important?” 1). He also changed theatre, and introduced a new way for plays to be performed and written that have carried on to today’s theatre. He introduced new plot techniques that are combined with the character’s thought process.

"Why Is Shakespeare Important?" Why Is Shakespeare Important?, N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. "Shakespeare Facts: Read Facts About William Shakespeare." No Sweat Shakespeare N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

Audience: Aidan Nash William Shakespeare was, and still is one of the most well known authors of his time. Most of Shakespeare’s career was in the London, England area. At the beginning of his theatrical career, Shakespeare was like any other actor who worked their way up to the top. He had a few critics who thought he was reaching too high too fast. However, he also had many fans. Amongst what would be known as the middle class, many people enjoyed Shakespeare’s comedies and dramas. In the higher classes however, “the theater culture in 16th century England was not highly admired by people of high rank. However, many of the nobility were good patrons of the performing arts and friends of the actors” (“William Shakespeare Biography” 1). By the time of the peak in his career, Shakespeare had made his mark and had a vast audience of englishmen of every class who could attend the theatre. With his most famous histories, he expanded his audience, however, towards the end of his career, he made popular one play- type that is still utilized today; the tragic- comedy, or simply the romance attracted much attention. Being one of the most referenced writers in history, Shakespeare's poems affected how the rest of the renaissance would continue. Although there were many poets who developed poems in foreign languages, “ it was Shakespeare who endowed it with the rhyme scheme and sharp final “volta” (“turn”) recognized today” (Shilling 2). To this day, from students to teachers, people around the world analyze Shakespeare's poems for his writing style and figurative language.

"William Shakespeare Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. Shilling, Alana. "How Did William Shakespeare Affect the Renaissance? | The Classroom | Synonym." The Classroom. Synonym, n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.