WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
(1564
(1564
-
-
1616)
1616)
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Life
s Life
the first documentary reference: the parish Register from Stratf the first documentary reference: the parish Register from Stratford ord- -
upon upon- -Avon recording William Avon recording William s s baptism baptism on on April 26, 1564 April 26, 1564 - -
Guiliamus Guiliamus filius filius J ohannes J ohannes Shakspere Shakspere, , that is, that is, William son of William son of
J ohn J ohn Shakspere Shakspere ( (the third child of eight born to the third child of eight born to J ohn J ohn and and Mary Mary
Shakespeare, but the first son, and the first child to survive p Shakespeare, but the first son, and the first child to survive past ast
infancy.) ( infancy.) (the date of birth the date of birth most likely most likely April 23, 1564 April 23, 1564) )
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s birthplace
s birthplace
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Life
s Life

Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s father,
s father,
J ohn Shakespeare
J ohn Shakespeare
:
:
a tanner,
a tanner,
glove
glove
-
-
maker and dealer in agricultural products, who
maker and dealer in agricultural products, who
also held a number of public offices over a twenty year
also held a number of public offices over a twenty year
period, ranging from Borough Ale
period, ranging from Borough Ale
-
-
Taster to alderman to
Taster to alderman to
bailiff, the highest public office in Stratford
bailiff, the highest public office in Stratford
-
-
upon
upon
-
-
Avon
Avon
(by that time, a prosperous market centre for the county
(by that time, a prosperous market centre for the county
of Warwickshire in the rural heartland of England)
of Warwickshire in the rural heartland of England)

Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s mother,
s mother,
Mary Shakespeare
Mary Shakespeare
(born Mary
(born Mary
Arden) : the daughter of a well
Arden) : the daughter of a well
-
-
to
to
-
-
do landowner in a
do landowner in a
lesser branch of an aristocratic family from the
lesser branch of an aristocratic family from the
neighbouring
neighbouring
Wilmcote
Wilmcote
.
.
Mary Arden
Mary Arden

s house
s house
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Life
s Life
Education: Education: up to the crisis of his father up to the crisis of his father s fortune (about 1577) s fortune (about 1577) - - the the
Stratford Grammar School Stratford Grammar School established by the corporation of the town as established by the corporation of the town as
early as 1553. early as 1553. This is where Shakespeare learnt This is where Shakespeare learnt small Latin and less Greek small Latin and less Greek . .
(Ben J onson, (Ben J onson, To the Memory of My Beloved Master William Shakespeare To the Memory of My Beloved Master William Shakespeare) )
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Life
s Life
the next official public record on William Shakespeare: a 40 pou the next official public record on William Shakespeare: a 40 pound nd
marriage marriage bond of sureties posted by two Warwickshire farmers on bond of sureties posted by two Warwickshire farmers on
November 28, 1582 November 28, 1582 for the for the legality legality of the marriage between William of the marriage between William
Shakespeare ( Shakespeare ( William William Shagspere Shagspere ) (18) and Anne Hathaway ( ) (18) and Anne Hathaway ( Anne Anne
Hathwey Hathwey ) (26). ) (26).
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Life
s Life
the next public record the next public record: : May 26, 1583 May 26, 1583, Shakespeare , Shakespeare s first daughter s first daughter
Susanna was christened. Susanna was christened.
February 2, 1585 February 2, 1585: : the christening of the twin children the christening of the twin children Hamnet Hamnet
and and J udith J udith, , sonne sonne and daughter to William and daughter to William Shakspeare Shakspeare. .
Unfortunately, Unfortunately, Hamnet Hamnet, Shakespeare , Shakespeare s only son, died at the age of s only son, died at the age of
11 and was buried at Stratford in 1596. 11 and was buried at Stratford in 1596.
1585 1585- -1592: only vague information about his life in London 1592: only vague information about his life in London
about 1587 about 1587- - fleeing Stratford for London fleeing Stratford for London (caught poaching (caught poaching deer deer
in the park of the influential Sir Thomas Lucy at in the park of the influential Sir Thomas Lucy at Charlcote Charlcote?); ?);
theatrical career theatrical career: : accepted as an actor in the company of the accepted as an actor in the company of the
Earl of Leicester, as his name appears in casts of players for B Earl of Leicester, as his name appears in casts of players for Ben en
J onson J onson s plays; s plays;
1592: Robert Greene 1592: Robert Greene s s A A Groatsworth Groatsworth of Wit Bought with a of Wit Bought with a
Million of Repentance Million of Repentance: : an upstart Crow, beautified with our an upstart Crow, beautified with our
feathers, that with his Tiger feathers, that with his Tiger s heart wrapped in a Player s heart wrapped in a Player s hide, s hide,
supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the
best of you: and being an absolute best of you: and being an absolute J ohannes Factotum J ohannes Factotum, is in his , is in his
own conceit the only Shake own conceit the only Shake- -scene in the country. scene in the country.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Life
s Life
1592 1592- -93 93: during the plague, the : during the plague, the
theatres were closed theatres were closed 1593: the 1593: the
narrative poem narrative poem Venus and Adonis Venus and Adonis; ;
1594: the narrative poem 1594: the narrative poem The Rape of The Rape of
Lucrece Lucrece, both dedicated to Henry , both dedicated to Henry
Wriothesley Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton. , Earl of Southampton.
Some of the Some of the sonnets sonnets may have also may have also
been composed during the same period. been composed during the same period.
1595 1595: Shakespeare : Shakespeare an important an important
member of the Lord Chamberlain member of the Lord Chamberlain s Men. s Men.
1596 1596- - 1599 1599: The College of Heralds : The College of Heralds
granted a coat of arms to the family granted a coat of arms to the family
patriarch, J ohn Shakespeare. patriarch, J ohn Shakespeare. The grant The grant
was approved on the basis of the was approved on the basis of the
faithefull faithefull & approved service to H7 & approved service to H7
[Henry VII] [Henry VII] performed by J ohn performed by J ohn s great s great- -
grandfather, and because J ohn himself grandfather, and because J ohn himself
had had maryed maryed the the daughter daughter & one of the & one of the
heyrs heyrs of Robert Arden of of Robert Arden of Wellingcote Wellingcote. .
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Life
s Life
1597 1597: Shakespeare, aged 33, : Shakespeare, aged 33,
had already had already improved his improved his
fortune and bettered his fortune and bettered his
social status. social status. He He invested invested
60 pounds in New Place, the 60 pounds in New Place, the
second largest house in second largest house in
Stratford, with two barns and Stratford, with two barns and
two orchards attached. two orchards attached.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Life
s Life
From 1598, Shakespeare From 1598, Shakespeare s name began to appear upon published plays: s name began to appear upon published plays:
Richard III Richard III , , Richard II Richard II , , Love Love s Labour s Labour s Lost s Lost. . ( (Titus Andronicus Titus Andronicus
had also been published but anonymously in 1594.) had also been published but anonymously in 1594.) appreciated by appreciated by
his contemporaries, e.g. his contemporaries, e.g. Francis Francis Meres Meres ( (Palladis Palladis Tamia Tamia, Wits Treasury , Wits Treasury - -
1598): 1598): praising Shakespeare praising Shakespeare s poetry s poetry the two narrative poems, the two narrative poems, Venus Venus
and Adonis and Adonis and and The Rape of The Rape of Lucrece Lucrece, , and the and the Sonnets Sonnets and then and then
comparing Shakespeare to comparing Shakespeare to Plautus Plautus in comedy and to in comedy and to Seneca Seneca in tragedy. in tragedy.
1601 1601: : Shakespeare Shakespeare s name was related to that of the Earl of Essex s name was related to that of the Earl of Essex
conspirers against Queen Elizabeth I (the performance of his pla conspirers against Queen Elizabeth I (the performance of his play y
Richard II Richard II by Shakespeare by Shakespeare s company, the Lord Chamberlain s company, the Lord Chamberlain s Men). s Men).
Nonetheless, that did not affect Shakespeare Nonetheless, that did not affect Shakespeare s popularity at the royal s popularity at the royal
court: during the last ten years of Elizabeth court: during the last ten years of Elizabeth s reign, the Lord s reign, the Lord
Chamberlain Chamberlain s Men performed at court thirty s Men performed at court thirty- -two times, compared to two times, compared to
thirty thirty- -seven performances by all other companies combined. seven performances by all other companies combined.
1603 1603: The royal documents mention Shakespeare as one of the sharers : The royal documents mention Shakespeare as one of the sharers
of the King of the King s Men (the former Lord Chamberlain s Men (the former Lord Chamberlain s Men) and 5 years s Men) and 5 years
later, he becomes an owner of the Blackfriars Theatre with a sev later, he becomes an owner of the Blackfriars Theatre with a seventh enth
share. share.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Life
s Life
1607 1607: Shakespeare : Shakespeare s eldest daughter Susanna married Dr. J ohn Hall and one s eldest daughter Susanna married Dr. J ohn Hall and one
year later, in February 1608, her only child Elizabeth was born. year later, in February 1608, her only child Elizabeth was born.
1609 1609: Shakespeare : Shakespeare s sonnets were s sonnets were piratically piratically printed, apparently without printed, apparently without
their author their author s knowledge or consent. s knowledge or consent.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Life
s Life

1610
1610
-
-
11
11
: Shakespeare retired from London to
: Shakespeare retired from London to
Stratford
Stratford
-
-
upon
upon
-
-
Avon at New Place
Avon at New Place
to lead the life of a
to lead the life of a
country gentleman, taking interest in municipal affairs or
country gentleman, taking interest in municipal affairs or
receiving visits from his old friends Ben J onson and his
receiving visits from his old friends Ben J onson and his
fellow actors
fellow actors
Heminge
Heminge
, Burbage and Condell.
, Burbage and Condell.

1611
1611
: He was one of a number of citizens who
: He was one of a number of citizens who
contributed to the maintenance of highways in the
contributed to the maintenance of highways in the
Stratford area.
Stratford area.

1612:
1612:
He was in London, giving evidence in a civil suit
He was in London, giving evidence in a civil suit
brought by a London
brought by a London
tire
tire
-
-
maker
maker
against a former
against a former
apprentice.
apprentice.

J une 29, 1613
J une 29, 1613
: the performance of the play he wrote
: the performance of the play he wrote
in collaboration with J ohn Fletcher,
in collaboration with J ohn Fletcher,
Henry VIII
Henry VIII

The
The
Globe burned to the ground.
Globe burned to the ground.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s
s
Life
Life
March 25, 1616 March 25, 1616: : He revised and signed his will. He revised and signed his will.
April 25, 1616 April 25, 1616: his burial recorded in the Stratford Parish Register, : his burial recorded in the Stratford Parish Register,
but he died on but he died on April 23 April 23 (this is the date given on the funerary (this is the date given on the funerary
monument erected before 1623). monument erected before 1623).
buried on April 25, 1616 in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford, whe buried on April 25, 1616 in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford, where he re he
had been baptised just over 52 years earlier. His epitaph: had been baptised just over 52 years earlier. His epitaph:
Good friend for J esus sake forbear Good friend for J esus sake forbear
To dig the dust enclosed here! To dig the dust enclosed here!
Blest be the man that spares these stones, Blest be the man that spares these stones,
And curst be he that moves my bones. And curst be he that moves my bones.
(In 1741, a monument was erected to his memory in the Poets (In 1741, a monument was erected to his memory in the Poets Corner Corner
of Westminster Abbey. The house where he was born was purchased of Westminster Abbey. The house where he was born was purchased
for preservation as a National Memorial in 1847 and the First for preservation as a National Memorial in 1847 and the First
Shakespeare Memorial Theatre Shakespeare Memorial Theatre now the Royal Shakespeare Theatre now the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
was opened in 1879.) was opened in 1879.)
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Will
s Will

the executors:
the executors:

my son
my son
-
-
in
in
-
-
law, J ohn Hall, gent. and my
law, J ohn Hall, gent. and my
daughter Susanna, his wife.
daughter Susanna, his wife.

Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Legacy
s Legacy
Between 1594 Between 1594- -1598, some of 1598, some of
Shakespeare Shakespeare s plays appeared s plays appeared
in small, cheap quartos, hastily in small, cheap quartos, hastily
compiled for quick sale during compiled for quick sale during
his life his life. . At his death, in 1616, At his death, in 1616,
18 quartos of his plays had 18 quartos of his plays had
been printed, the text having been printed, the text having
been pirated from stage been pirated from stage
copies. copies.
1623
1623

The First Folio

The First Folio

In 1623, Shakespeare
In 1623, Shakespeare

s fellow
s fellow
actors J ohn
actors J ohn
Heminge
Heminge
and
and
Henry Condell published the
Henry Condell published the
first complete edition
first complete edition

also
also
known as the
known as the
First Folio
First Folio

containing 36 plays in all. The

containing 36 plays in all. The
so
so
-
-
called
called
Doeshut
Doeshut
portrait of
portrait of
the poet was on the title page
the poet was on the title page
and Ben J onson composed the
and Ben J onson composed the
verse accompanying it. The text
verse accompanying it. The text
of Shakespeare
of Shakespeare

s First Folio was

s First Folio was
in double column format,
in double column format,
totalled 908 pages and sold for
totalled 908 pages and sold for

1.
1.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Work
s Work

The first period of creation (1589
The first period of creation (1589
-
-
1600):
1600):

Before about 1594:

Before about 1594:
Four history plays Four history plays (Henry VI, Parts One, Two, (Henry VI, Parts One, Two, and and Three Three
1589 1589- -1591 1591; Richard III ; Richard III 1592 1592- -1593 1593) )
Two narrative poems Two narrative poems (Venus and Adonis (Venus and Adonis 1592 1592- -1593; 1593; The The
Rape of Rape of Lucrece Lucrece 1593 1593- -1594 1594) )
A comedy in the style of A comedy in the style of Plautus Plautus (The Comedy of Errors (The Comedy of Errors - -
1589 1589) )
A comedy in the courtly style of A comedy in the courtly style of J ohn Lyly J ohn Lyly (The Two (The Two
Gentlemen of Verona Gentlemen of Verona 1592 1592- -1593 1593) )
A farcical comedy which today we might call a problem A farcical comedy which today we might call a problem
comedy comedy (The Taming of the Shrew (The Taming of the Shrew 1593 1593- -1594 1594) )
A tragedy of blood in the style of A tragedy of blood in the style of Kyd Kyd (Titus Andronicus (Titus Andronicus - -
1589 1589) )
Some of the Some of the sonnets sonnets (1592 (1592- -1598) 1598)
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Work
s Work

The first period of creation (1589
The first period of creation (1589
-
-
1600):
1600):

To about 1600:
To about 1600:
Two profoundly original comedies Two profoundly original comedies (Love's Labours Lost (Love's Labours Lost 1593 1593- -
1594 1594, A Midsummer Night , A Midsummer Night s Dream s Dream 1595 1595- -1596 1596) )
A history, not part of a group of history plays A history, not part of a group of history plays (King J ohn (King J ohn
1596 1596- -1597 1597) )
A tragedy of youth, love and fate A tragedy of youth, love and fate (Romeo and J uliet (Romeo and J uliet 1591 1591- -
1595 1595) )
A comedy that seems at times more like the tragedy of its A comedy that seems at times more like the tragedy of its
supposed supposed villain villain (The Merchant of Venice (The Merchant of Venice - -1596 1596- -1597 1597) )
Four histories, written over several years Four histories, written over several years (Richard II (Richard II - -1595 1595- -
1596 1596, Henry IV, Parts One and Two , Henry IV, Parts One and Two 1596 1596- -1597 1597, Henry V , Henry V
1597 1597- -1599 1599) )
A tragedy set in Roman times A tragedy set in Roman times (J ulius Caesar (J ulius Caesar 1599 1599- -1600 1600) )
A group of three great romantic comedies A group of three great romantic comedies (Much Ado About (Much Ado About
Nothing Nothing 1597 1597- -1599 1599, As You Like It, Twelfth Night , As You Like It, Twelfth Night 1599 1599- -
1600 1600) )
A comedy of the fat knight, Falstaff, originally created in the A comedy of the fat knight, Falstaff, originally created in the
history plays history plays (The Merry Wives of Windsor (The Merry Wives of Windsor 1597 1597- -1599 1599) )
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Work
s Work

The second period of creation (1600
The second period of creation (1600
-
-
1608):
1608):
One of Shakespeare One of Shakespeare s finest tragedies s finest tragedies (Hamlet (Hamlet - - 1601 1601- -1602 1602) )
Two dark comedies Two dark comedies (All's Well That Ends Well (All's Well That Ends Well - -1602 1602- -1603 1603, ,
Measure for Measure Measure for Measure 1603 1603- -1604 1604) )
A disturbing play that defies category A disturbing play that defies category (Troilus and Cressida (Troilus and Cressida
1601 1601- -1602 1602) )
A tragedy of love and jealousy A tragedy of love and jealousy (Othello (Othello 1602 1602- -1603 1603) )
A tragedy of old age, of parents and children A tragedy of old age, of parents and children (King Lear (King Lear - - 1605 1605) )
A tragedy of power, of husband and wife A tragedy of power, of husband and wife (Macbeth (Macbeth 1605 1605- -
1606 1606) )
An odd and possibly unfinished tragedy An odd and possibly unfinished tragedy ( (Timon Timon of Athens of Athens - -
1605 1605- -1609 1609) )
A tragedy of Rome, Egypt, power and love A tragedy of Rome, Egypt, power and love (Antony and (Antony and
Cleopatra Cleopatra 1607 1607- -1608 1608) )
A tragedy of Rome and power, of mother and child A tragedy of Rome and power, of mother and child (Coriolanus (Coriolanus
1607 1607- -1608 1608) )
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s Work
s Work

The third period of creation (to about 1614):
The third period of creation (to about 1614):
A patchwork tale of adventure, shipwreck, loss and rediscovery A patchwork tale of adventure, shipwreck, loss and rediscovery
(Pericles, Prince of Tyre (Pericles, Prince of Tyre - - 1606 1606- -1608 1608) )
A romance of Britain and Rome A romance of Britain and Rome (Cymbeline (Cymbeline 1609 1609- -1610 1610) )
A tale of tragic jealousy and pastoral rebirth A tale of tragic jealousy and pastoral rebirth (The Winter's Tale (The Winter's Tale
1610 1610- -1611 1611) )
A tale of a brave new world A tale of a brave new world (The Tempest (The Tempest - - 1611 1611) )
Two final plays written in collaboration, in each case probably Two final plays written in collaboration, in each case probably
with a younger playwright, J ohn Fletcher: a history of recent with a younger playwright, J ohn Fletcher: a history of recent
time in England time in England (Henry VIII (Henry VIII 1612 1612- -1613 1613) ) and a romance of and a romance of
chivalry chivalry (The Two Noble Kinsmen (The Two Noble Kinsmen 1613 1613- -1614 1614) ). .

Recent Shakespearean studies have included in the
Recent Shakespearean studies have included in the
Shakespearean canon the plays
Shakespearean canon the plays
Edward III
Edward III
(published in
(published in
quarto in 1596 and 1599, but not included in the First Folio)
quarto in 1596 and 1599, but not included in the First Folio)
and
and
Cardenio
Cardenio
/Double Falsehood
/Double Falsehood
(adapted by the eighteenth
(adapted by the eighteenth
-
-
century playwright Lewis
century playwright Lewis
Theobald
Theobald
), and ascribed to the Bard
), and ascribed to the Bard
a fragment from
a fragment from
Sir Thomas More
Sir Thomas More
.
.
The Shakespearean Controversy
The Shakespearean Controversy

1769
1769
:
:
Herbert Lawrence challenged for the first
Herbert Lawrence challenged for the first
time the ascription of the plays to William
time the ascription of the plays to William
Shakespeare, the minor actor and mild Stratford
Shakespeare, the minor actor and mild Stratford
bourgeois.
bourgeois.

The
The

Baconian
Baconian
Theory
Theory

1857
1857
:
:
Delia Bacon
Delia Bacon
, an American writer of plays and
, an American writer of plays and
short stories, published a book arguing that
short stories, published a book arguing that
Sir
Sir
Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon
, the great Elizabethan philosopher,
, the great Elizabethan philosopher,
was, most likely, one of the authors of
was, most likely, one of the authors of

Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s
s

plays.
plays.

Mark Twain
Mark Twain
was also a proponent of Bacon in his
was also a proponent of Bacon in his
book
book
Is Shakespeare Dead?.
Is Shakespeare Dead?.
He could not say for
He could not say for
certain who wrote the plays, but said that he was
certain who wrote the plays, but said that he was

quite composedly and contentedly sure that

quite composedly and contentedly sure that
Shakespeare
Shakespeare
didn't
didn't
,
,

and strongly suspected that

and strongly suspected that
Bacon
Bacon
did
did
.
.
The Shakespearean Controversy
The Shakespearean Controversy
a modern group of a modern group of unorthodox unorthodox or or anti anti- -
Stratfordian Stratfordian scholars = the scholars = the Oxfordians Oxfordians
Edward de Edward de Vere Vere, the 17th Earl of , the 17th Earl of
Oxford Oxford. . The The Oxfordians Oxfordians claim that the plays claim that the plays
of Shakespeare reveal an aristocratic of Shakespeare reveal an aristocratic
sensibility, an intimate familiarity with the life sensibility, an intimate familiarity with the life
and manners of the court, and a level of and manners of the court, and a level of
education and worldly experience that would education and worldly experience that would
seem beyond a barely educated commoner. seem beyond a barely educated commoner.
Pros Pros: uncanny correspondences between de : uncanny correspondences between de
Vere Vere s s copy of the copy of the Geneva Bible Geneva Bible and Biblical and Biblical
references in Shakespeare references in Shakespeare s plays s plays (Roger (Roger
Stritmatter Stritmatter s s doctoral dissertation doctoral dissertation Edward de Edward de
Vere Vere s s Geneva Bible Geneva Bible, defended at the , defended at the
University of Massachusetts at Amherst in University of Massachusetts at Amherst in
2001 2001) )
Cons Cons: : Oxford died in 1604, before such Oxford died in 1604, before such
masterpieces as masterpieces as Macbeth Macbeth, , Antony and Antony and
Cleopatra Cleopatra, and , and The Tempest The Tempest are generally are generally
accepted to have been written. accepted to have been written.
The Shakespearean Controversy
The Shakespearean Controversy
The The Marlovians Marlovians: Calvin Hoffman : Calvin Hoffman s book, s book, The The
Murder of the Man Who Was "Shakespeare" Murder of the Man Who Was "Shakespeare"
(1955): (1955): Marlowe Marlowe known by historians to known by historians to
have been a spy in Elizabeth have been a spy in Elizabeth I I s s secret service secret service
did not die in 1593 in Deptford, on the banks did not die in 1593 in Deptford, on the banks
of the Thames, but faked his own death and of the Thames, but faked his own death and
fled England to escape the notorious Star fled England to escape the notorious Star
Chamber, Protestant England Chamber, Protestant England s equivalent of s equivalent of
the Inquisition. the Inquisition. He is said to have settled in He is said to have settled in
Italy, where his artistic development Italy, where his artistic development
accelerated amidst the late Italian accelerated amidst the late Italian
Renaissance. Renaissance. H He sent back the plays he wrote e sent back the plays he wrote
in exile to his patron in England, Sir Thomas in exile to his patron in England, Sir Thomas
Walsingham Walsingham, cousin of Sir Francis , cousin of Sir Francis Walsingham Walsingham, ,
Elizabeth Elizabeth s spy master. After having the works s spy master. After having the works
recopied in another hand, recopied in another hand, Walsingham Walsingham then then
passed the plays on to a convenient front man passed the plays on to a convenient front man
the actor William Shakespeare the actor William Shakespeare who who
brought them to the stage. brought them to the stage.
The Shakespearean Controversy
The Shakespearean Controversy

The
The
Marlovians
Marlovians
-
-
Pros:
Pros:
striking similarities between Marlowe striking similarities between Marlowe s works and those s works and those
attributed to Shakespeare attributed to Shakespeare ( (lines and passages from Marlowe lines and passages from Marlowe s s
plays and poems that are echoed, if not quoted verbatim, in plays and poems that are echoed, if not quoted verbatim, in
Shakespeare Shakespeare s s). ).

The
The
Stratfordians
Stratfordians
-
-
Cons:
Cons:
such similarities such similarities - - proof only of the fact that the Bard borrowed proof only of the fact that the Bard borrowed
rather liberally (not to say stolen) from his contemporaries. rather liberally (not to say stolen) from his contemporaries.
differences in the two playwrights differences in the two playwrights styles: Shakespeare appears styles: Shakespeare appears
much slower in terms of innovation, but excels in some aspects much slower in terms of innovation, but excels in some aspects
of playwriting (i.e. feminine characters and comedy) in which of playwriting (i.e. feminine characters and comedy) in which
Marlowe was deficient. Marlowe was deficient.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare

s sources
s sources
Preliminary difficulties in identifying Shakespeare Preliminary difficulties in identifying Shakespeare s sources: s sources:
Many Elizabethan books and many plays which Shakespeare may Many Elizabethan books and many plays which Shakespeare may
have known have been lost. have known have been lost.
The extent of Shakespeare The extent of Shakespeare s knowledge of foreign languages is s knowledge of foreign languages is
still a matter of debate. still a matter of debate.
There is still controversy about the relation of some of There is still controversy about the relation of some of
Shakespeare Shakespeare s plays to other plays of the period. s plays to other plays of the period.
The officially acknowledged sources: The officially acknowledged sources:
Holinshed Holinshed s chronicles s chronicles provided Shakespeare with the plots of provided Shakespeare with the plots of
Richard III Richard III , , Richard II Richard II , , Henry IV Henry IV, , Henry V Henry V, , Henry VI Henry VI , , Macbeth Macbeth and and
King Lear King Lear. .
Plutarch Plutarch s s Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans
(translated by Thomas North in 1571) provided the plots in (translated by Thomas North in 1571) provided the plots in J ulius J ulius
Caesar Caesar, , Antony and Cleopatra Antony and Cleopatra and and Coriolanus Coriolanus. .
Italian sources Italian sources were used, at least partly, in were used, at least partly, in Romeo and J uliet Romeo and J uliet, ,
The Merchant of Venice The Merchant of Venice, , Much Ado about Nothing Much Ado about Nothing, , Othello Othello, ,
Measure for Measure Measure for Measure. .
English pastoral romances English pastoral romances like Greene like Greene s s Pandosto Pandosto and Lodge and Lodge s s
Rosalynd Rosalynd were also exploited in plays like were also exploited in plays like As You Like It As You Like It. .