Shakespeare: Who and Why

OVERVIEW

This is a brief (one class period) introduction to Shakespeare's life and times. Emphasis is on Shakespeare's importance in literature, his historical setting, and basic names-and-dates of his biography.

AUDIENCE AND PREREQUISITE SKILLS

Intended mainly for high school students preparing to read a Shakespearean play, students from 6th through 8th could equally benefit from this introduction if they will be reading one of Shakespeare's plays. Some prior knowledge of English history would be helpful, but not required.

MATERIALS

None needed except note-taking materials. A brief Scantron quiz is available that covers some of the main details of Shakespeare's life. I will forward it to anyone who would like to use it.

PROCEDURE

• 1. Point out importance of Shakespeare in world literature, and influences in our daily lives.
• 2. Summarize English historical background leading up to Elizabethan Age. (This part can be briefly summarized to fit the entire lesson into one period, or it can be developed and extended into a period of its own to give a fuller account of the Wars of the Roses, etc. The longer version would be especially useful for students prior to reading one of the English historical plays.
• 3. Discuss Shakespeare's life and career, including the English theater in the Elizabethan Age.
• 4. List several of Shakespeare's best-known plays in each category.

EVALUATION

Students will be able to pass a brief quiz (mentioned above) on the main details of Shakespeare's life and times. During or after the reading of a play, they will be able to discuss or write about the influence of Shakespeare's historical milieu on that play.

RESOURCES

Quiz

Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare (highly recommended)

complete works of Shakespeare

plays by category

entrance to Shakespeare Web

today in Shakespeare history

personalized Shakespeare insult server