The Life and Times of William Shakespeare

Introduction

William Shakespeare is one of the most famous playwrites in British Literature.  His tragedies and comedies have transcended time and are read by people all over the world.  This includes middle and high school students who read and analyze his plays in classrooms across America.

However, Shakespeare lived in a time that is quite different from ours.  It is important to understand the REnaissance and the role it played in the development of Shakespeare's plays.

Task

Today you will spend some time learning more about William Shakespeare.  You may use the Shakespeare PowerPoint that is on Haiku.  Please do not use other sources.  You will have one class period to complete this Webquest. You may work with another partner to complete your task.

Process

Below are questions that should be answered on the answer sheet you were provided in class.  You will turn this in when you are done.

  1. Where was Shakespeare born?
  2. When was Shakespeare born?
  3. Did Shakespeare ever get married?  If so, to whom?
  4. Who is the ruler of England during this time?
  5. What was the Elizabethean period?
  6. What illness stopped shows from being performed?
  7. What was the general feeling towards plays at this time?
  8. How many theatres were there?
  9. What was the name of the first theatre?
  10. The majority of the theatres are located on what river?
  11. Why was it more important to sit behind the actors instead of in front of them?
  12. What does the black flag stand for?
  13. What is the Admiral's Men?
  14. Was Shakespeare a member of the Admiral's Men or the Lord Chamberlain's Men?
  15. At what age could a girl be in a play?
  16. What influenced the writing of Hamlet?
  17. What is a collection of Shakespeare's works called?
  18. What genre's of plays did Shakespeare write?
  19. How many plays is Shakespeare credited with writing?

Evaluation

Choose from one of the following prompts and write a response.

  1. If you were to write over 30 different masterful plays, what would they be about?  Write the title of two of these world-changing plays along with a short description of each one of them. 
  2. Shakespeare comes over for dinner.  What do you make him and what do you and your family/friends talk about with him?
  3. If Shakespeare were to write a play about your life, what would it be?  A comedy, a tragedy, a romance, a history, or some combination?  Explain your choice and give your play a title.

Conclusion

After William Shakespeare's death in 1616, British author Ben Jonson said that Shakespeare was "... not of an age, but for all time."

Credits