About Shakespeare
1) What year was William Shakespeare born in?
- 1564
2) What date do we recognize as his birthday?
- April 23, 1564
3) What was important about Stratford-upon-Avon in the 16th century?
- It was where Shakespeare was born and an important market town.
4) Name one of the acting companies Shakespeare was associated with in the early days.
- The Queen's Men
5) What is the probable year that Romeo and Juliet was written?
- 1595
6) Where did the timbers to build the Globe come from?
- The materials salvaged from The Theater.
7) Who was the carpenter who built the Globe?
- Peter Smith
8) What was Shakespeare's share as a "householder?"
- 10% of the total profit
9) What day and year did Shakespeare die?
- April 23, 1616
10) Why is this an interesting date?
- It was the same day he was born.
11) How old was Shakespeare when he died?
- 52
1) What year was William Shakespeare born in?
- 1564
2) What date do we recognize as his birthday?
- April 23, 1564
3) What was important about Stratford-upon-Avon in the 16th century?
- It was where Shakespeare was born and an important market town.
4) Name one of the acting companies Shakespeare was associated with in the early days.
- The Queen's Men
5) What is the probable year that Romeo and Juliet was written?
- 1595
6) Where did the timbers to build the Globe come from?
- The materials salvaged from The Theater.
7) Who was the carpenter who built the Globe?
- Peter Smith
8) What was Shakespeare's share as a "householder?"
- 10% of the total profit
9) What day and year did Shakespeare die?
- April 23, 1616
10) Why is this an interesting date?
- It was the same day he was born.
11) How old was Shakespeare when he died?
- 52
About Marriage
1) What does betrothal mean?
- A betrothal is basically getting engaged.
2) Name three marriage and betrothal customs found on this page.
- The man gives the woman a ring to be worn on the right hand. It changes to the left at the wedding.
- The bride carries her garland until after the ceremony, then wears it on her head.
- The bride takes her husband's
3) What color should a bride's dress be?
- Any color
4) How is the intention to marry announced? What happens if it is not announced previous to the event?
- The intention to marry must be announced in the Church three times. Any marriage not announced before-hand is considered clandestine, and illegal.
5) Describe the wedding procession.
- The procession is generally noisy, accompanied by musicians, laughter, and bawdy jokes.
6) What is dowry?
- Dowry is an amount of money, goods, and property the bride brings to the marriage.
7) Explain how important a wedding ring was to the Elizabethans.
- Wearing the espousal or marriage ring isn't either universal or sentimental.
1) What does betrothal mean?
- A betrothal is basically getting engaged.
2) Name three marriage and betrothal customs found on this page.
- The man gives the woman a ring to be worn on the right hand. It changes to the left at the wedding.
- The bride carries her garland until after the ceremony, then wears it on her head.
- The bride takes her husband's
3) What color should a bride's dress be?
- Any color
4) How is the intention to marry announced? What happens if it is not announced previous to the event?
- The intention to marry must be announced in the Church three times. Any marriage not announced before-hand is considered clandestine, and illegal.
5) Describe the wedding procession.
- The procession is generally noisy, accompanied by musicians, laughter, and bawdy jokes.
6) What is dowry?
- Dowry is an amount of money, goods, and property the bride brings to the marriage.
7) Explain how important a wedding ring was to the Elizabethans.
- Wearing the espousal or marriage ring isn't either universal or sentimental.
About Food
1) How many meals do people generally eat each day?
- 2
2) Why would people in Shakespeare's day not know what a chocolate chip cookie is?
- Chocolate had not come in yet, except for medicinal purposes.
3) Imagine you are in charge of the menu for Lord Capulet's huge party feast. Choose at least two vegetables, two meats, and two fruits or nuts.
1) How many meals do people generally eat each day?
- 2
2) Why would people in Shakespeare's day not know what a chocolate chip cookie is?
- Chocolate had not come in yet, except for medicinal purposes.
3) Imagine you are in charge of the menu for Lord Capulet's huge party feast. Choose at least two vegetables, two meats, and two fruits or nuts.
Dinner Party Menu
Appetizers:
Cabbage and Lettuce Salad topped with chopped Carrots and Onions with a bit of Garlic
Chopped Endives and Celery sticks sauteed with Garlic topped with Parsley
Main Courses:
Quail Meat covered in a Garlic and Parsley Sauce
Salmon seared in Lemon Juice
Desserts:
Sliced Apricots and Strawberries covered in Pomegranate Juice
Apple or Lemon Parfait topped with crushed Hazelnuts and a Cherry
Appetizers:
Cabbage and Lettuce Salad topped with chopped Carrots and Onions with a bit of Garlic
Chopped Endives and Celery sticks sauteed with Garlic topped with Parsley
Main Courses:
Quail Meat covered in a Garlic and Parsley Sauce
Salmon seared in Lemon Juice
Desserts:
Sliced Apricots and Strawberries covered in Pomegranate Juice
Apple or Lemon Parfait topped with crushed Hazelnuts and a Cherry
About Language
1) What does "wherefore" mean?
- why
2) What does "stay" mean?
- to wait
3) Rewrite the conversation replacing as many words as you can using Elizabethan English.
1) What does "wherefore" mean?
- why
2) What does "stay" mean?
- to wait
3) Rewrite the conversation replacing as many words as you can using Elizabethan English.
Person A: Hello. (sneezes) Excuse me.
Person B: Gesundheit! Person A: Thank you. Person B: Say, do you know where the closest bathroom is? Person A: Certainly. It's down the street in the Kings Tavern. Person B: Thanks. Goodbye. |
Person A: God ye good den. (sneezes) Pray pardon.
Person B: God Save You! Person A: I thank thee. Person B: Say, does thou knoweth where the nearest privy is? Person A: Certes! It is down the street in the Kings Tavern. Person B: Gramercy. Good day. |
About Theatre in Shakespeare's Time
1) How many women actors did the company usually feature?
- None
2) Was Shakespeare an actor? What was the term used to refer to actors?
- Yes. Actors were referred to as "Players."
3) How were the seating arrangements for the audience? How did one get a good seat?
- Well-to-do spectators sat in covered galleries around the stage. Most stood in the yard around the platform stage. You had to arrive early as it was a first-come, first-serve basis.
4) What would the audience do if they did not like the performance?
- They would throw small items and food at the actors.
1) How many women actors did the company usually feature?
- None
2) Was Shakespeare an actor? What was the term used to refer to actors?
- Yes. Actors were referred to as "Players."
3) How were the seating arrangements for the audience? How did one get a good seat?
- Well-to-do spectators sat in covered galleries around the stage. Most stood in the yard around the platform stage. You had to arrive early as it was a first-come, first-serve basis.
4) What would the audience do if they did not like the performance?
- They would throw small items and food at the actors.
Shakespearean Insults
1) Create your own personal Shakespearean insult.
- Thou loggerheaded clay-brained puttock.
1) Create your own personal Shakespearean insult.
- Thou loggerheaded clay-brained puttock.