An American Hero



William Shakespeare

A Multigenre Project

by Cheryl L. Gaines

Contents:

1-Birth Certificate

2-Newspaper

3-Want Ad

4-Interview

5- Letter

6-Obituary

Why I Picked this Topic:

I chose to research William Shakespeare because I have always enjoyed his works, but knew very little about the man. The only facts I knew were that he was born in Stratford and married to Anne Hathaway. The past two summers I have gone to London and worked at the Globe Theater studying Shakespeare’s works, but never the man. I was curious about his life. I have enjoyed researching the life of Shakespeare. I only wish there had been more time to complete other project pieces. I had so many ideas as I read about Shakespeare’s life that I had a difficult time choosing, as you can probably tell, due to the fact I already have more than three. I have learned so much from this project. I’m sure I know more now than if I’d just been asked to write a report. Completing a variety of projects made me think about my subject in a different way…to get into his head…draw conclusions about his life…and overall gain a greater understanding of the person.

Annotation about Genres:

I have written a brief explanation of each genre below. The full annotations are located on the back of each piece. I thought it would be easier to match the annotation to the project piece this way.

1-Birth Certificate: Birth certificate of William Shakespeare.

2-Newspaper:

a) Feature article on Queen Elizabeth in which William is quoted by the reporter.

b) Advertisement for Shakespeare’s Glovers

3-Want Ad: Advertising an opening for an actor.

4-Interview: Interview of William after receiving heraldry

5- Letter: Letter to William from his father while William is London. Letter warns of son’s illness.

6-Obituary: Newspaper Obituary of William Shakespeare

NOTES:

1-Birth Certificate:

I chose to create a birth certificate for Shakespeare because there is much discussion among scholars about the correct date. No one knows for sure. The only thing known for sure is he was christened on April 26, 1564 as evidenced by church records. Father John Bretchgirdle was vicar at the time. England officially celebrates Shakespeare’s birthday on the 23rd because it is believed that children in those days were christened three days after birth. Also, it suits the romantic notions of those who would like to think Shakespeare was born on St. George’s Day. St. George is the patron saint of England. According to the Schoenbaum book, A prayer book at the time stated that a child must be christened before the first Sunday or Holy day after the birth of the child” unless a great and reasonable cause” be declared to the curate. April 23 of that year was ON a Sunday, and two days later was a St. Mark’s day, considered a holy day. This so, Shakespeare should have been christened by the 25th, but they parents may have obtained permission to wait a day to avoid St. Mark’s Day, a day considered unlucky. I used John Taylor as one of the witnesses because he served as a town burgess (mayor) and chamberlain, a high governmental position shared with William’s father.

NOTES:

2-Newspaper Articles: (Front page)

a) Feature article on Queen Elizabeth: William is quoted.

I decided to do a feature article on the Queen’s visit to Kenilworth Castle because this would have been a major news event in those days. Kenilworth was only about 12 miles outside of Stratford. It is logical then to assume that many of the town’s people traveled to see the festivities surrounding her visit which lasted for almost three weeks. William would have been 11 years old that year, and it is very possible, in fact, probable that he would have gone to see the Queen and watch the entertainment. One of the major spectacles was Arion riding a mechanical dolphin around the castle. Years later, William would mention Arion’s dolphin ride in TWO of his plays.

SIDE NOTE: The other article is also based on fact. Puritans were beginning to put the heat on and were trying to shut down the theaters. Fortunately, Queen Elizabeth was a huge patron of the arts and supported the players throughout her reign.

b) Advertisement for Shakespeare’s Glovers

John Shakespeare, William’s father, was a Glover. He created and sold leather gloves and other leather items for a living. It is possible that William apprenticed under him after he left school at the age of 15 or 16.

NOTES:

3-Want Ad:

I thought this would be a good way to show what Shakespeare chose as his career and maybe how he got started. The Queen’s men were in Stratford the year Shakespeare left his wife and two children to go to London. They also need players. According to the Evans book, one of their players killed another in self-defense. He of course was arrested and could no longer travel with the players, so they were short two actors. It was very unusual for anyone to travel alone in Shakespeare’s time, especially over a long distance for fear of robbers or vagabonds. So it makes sense that Shakespeare might have joined this troupe, because we know he did end up in London that year.

NOTES:

4-Interview: Interview of William after receiving heraldry

I thought an interview was a great idea after watching the video where a girl and her father went back in time to talk with Shakespeare about his works. However, since my focus was not on his works, but his life, I decided on an important aspect of his life which affected his entire family. William’s father, John, had applied for a coat of arms 27 years before one was approved. About the time he was applying, John went through some hard times and money was tight. Whether or not John was turned down or just dropped the idea is not known. A design was already in the process of being reviewed. It is possible he just let it go because of the expense involved. William applied again later in his father’s name and was approved. Possibly because of his rising fame, although the reasoning on the documents states for family service rendered to the King years before and his father’s political work in the local government. Some criticized this decision and made it known. They felt those unworthy were being accepted into heraldry. I created a coat of arms based on the original description.

(See Coat of Arms inside box)

NOTES:

5- Letter: Letter to William from his father

I chose to include a letter to William from his father because William lived away from his family much of the time. They would have had to write letters in order to keep in touch. This would have been a good way for William to share news about his plays, meetings with the Queen, the Puritan upheaval, the Plague and any other big news. There is no evidence that William’s father, a farmer’s son, was educated enough to read and write, but it is probable because he was able to rise high in local government and would have been required to keep records and notes. During the year 1596 William received news from someone that his only son, Hamnet had died. Maybe the news came from his father.

NOTES:

6-Obituary: Newspaper Obituary of William Shakespeare

I decided to write an obituary because I didn’t feel I covered all of the important events and accomplishments in William’s life. I felt this would be a good way to summarize his entire life and mention the things I left out. Also the box in which I organized my project is painted grey like the plaque over William’s tomb. I wrote the words on it from his tomb. These are believed by many to be William’s own words penned just days before he died. It was customary for the church elders to dig up the bones of those long buried to make room for others. They kept the remains in what they called the “bone room.” Maybe William feared this fate and wrote the words which conveyed a curse, to prevent anyone from moving his body. It must have worked, because to this day, William’s remain are untouched.

(See outside of box)

GENRE SAMPLES:

Advertisement: Want Ad

1587

HELP WANTED: Two players needed immediately to join Queen Elizabeth’s Men. No acting experience necessary. Requirements: ability to travel light and desire for adventure. Ability to read and write helpful, not required. Pays little, food and board are covered. Offers opportunity to break into London drama scene. If interested, contact a player of Queens Elizabeth’s Men in the open market center. Troupe leaves Stratford next Friday

Interview

The following is a transcript of an interview with Mr. William Shakespeare by London News reporter, Guy Tuno after the approval of the Shakespeare family’s application for a family coat of arms.

Tuno: Good afternoon Mr. Shakespeare. Thank you for coming. I understand you are busy working on a play and I appreciate you taking time to speak with me. First, I’d like to offer my congratulations on your recent acceptance into the British Hall of Heraldry. Tell me a little about how someone might obtain a family coat of arms.

Shakespeare: Well Guy, not everyone who applies is granted a coat of arms. Most families with a coat of arms are born into the gentry. In our world of such division among classes, it’s difficult indeed to change your status. However, if you can prove your worth as a citizen, your application may be accepted.

Tuno: Now your grandfather Shakespeare was a farmer, obviously not gentry, and your father a glove maker. So, if you don’t mind me asking, how did you manage to convince the powers that be of your worth?

Shakespeare: Well, my father actually applied about 27 years ago. It’s true my father was not born into wealth or a title, but he has worked his way up in the local government serving on the town council, and as mayor. He’s made quite name for himself. And some of my ancestors fought faithfully in service for the King. And of course, my mother’s family already has a coat of arms. However, father ran into some financial trouble around the time the application was being reviewed and had to suspend his desire for heraldry for more important things. He just never renewed the application until now.

Tuno: Wow! That’s quite a story. You know there are people who say you and others have been granted a coat of arms unrightfully making those who are true gentry look bad. Players aren’t usually granted such high honors.

Shakespeare: Yes Guy, I am aware of that. But, I can’t let what others say get to me. I know the Shakespeare name is with honor and I feel the grant was given rightfully. As My Motto implies, “Non Sanz Droict” – “Not without right.” And as far as this honor being granted a player…it was not. The application is in the name of my father. Of course, this will mean much to me and my heirs as well. For now they will be known as gentlemen.

Tuno: Well spoken, Mr. Shakespeare. I appreciate your time and hope to see many more of your wonderful plays this Season.

Shakespeare: Thank you, Guy. I’ll see you at the Wooden O!

June 1596

Dearest Son:

I am happy the Plague has subsided and your company is able to perform again. I am proud of the success you have achieved in London. I hear your company entertains our fair Queen in her palace several times a year. It is good that you have won her support and patronage. Pressure from the Puritans to close theatres must be getting rather intense. In your last letter, you mentioned the new play you’re writing about a Jew named Shylock. Do you think this is wise considering the religious tension present already? Then again, considering the loud, unruly masses who attend your performances, maybe no one will care.

Now to the purpose of my letter, I write compelling you to hurry home as soon as possible. Your son, Hamnet, is very ill. He has taken a fever which doesn’t want to break. I fear his time with us may be short. I regret to end with such depressing news and hope to see you soon.

Your loving father,

John

Obituary

STRATFORD – Master William Shakespeare, gentleman, 52, died April 23, 1616, at his Stratford home. He fell ill after an extended marriage celebration for his daughter several months before, possibly from exposure to the weather. He never recovered and died on the anniversary of his birth from a fever.

William was born in Stratford, the son of John Shakespeare, a glover and town councilman and Mary Arden, the daughter of local gentry. He attended Gild Hall Grammar School where he was educated in Latin, Greek, poetry, drama, history, and other classical subjects. Although he did not continue his education at university, William retained an interest in drama and poetry throughout his life.

Married at the young age of 18, William fathered three children with wife, Anne. In Stratford, he worked at several trades including apprenticing with his father, the glover, before joining the London community of players.

William soon became a playwright as well as an actor and joined London’s best company, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. William later became a shareholder in a new theatre called The Globe located on the banks of the Thames River in Southwark. William was a prosperous gentleman and playwright. His plays gained popularity and he invested in properties including, New Place, the second-finest house in Stratford.

William retired from the stage in 1610 and returned home to Stratford where he became an important member of our

local gentry. Though his acting days were over, William spent his final years collaborating with fellow-playwright, John Fletcher to complete three more plays. William wrote thirty-seven plays, a collection of sonnets, and other poetry during his lifetime.

William is survived by his mother, Mary Arden Shakespeare, his wife, Anne Hathaway Shakespeare, two daughters, Susanna Hall and Judith Quiney, his son-in-laws, Dr. John Hall, and local vintner, Thomas Quiney, one grandchild, Elizabeth Hall, his sister, Joan Hart, a widow of William Hart, a local hatter, and three nephews: William, Thomas, and Michael Hart.

A memorial service will be held April 25, at the Holy Trinity Church, where he will thereafter be interned. A plaque and monument will be erected in honor of this favored son of Stratford.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: The King’s Men Players in care of: The Globe Theater, London, England.

Annotated Bibliography

Books

Greenblatt, S. (2004). Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

*I used this book for information on Queen Elizabeth’s visit and the Shakespeare family’s coat of arms.

Schoenbaum, S. (1975). William Shakespeare: A Compact Documentary Life. New York: Oxford University Press.

* I took details of Shakespeare’s birth from this book and facts about his family.

Brandenberg, A. (1999). William Shakespeare and the Globe. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

* I used general bibliographical information and facts about the Elizabethan audience from this book.

Evans, G. & B. (1978). The Shakespeare Companion. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

*This book gave me the idea of the possibility that Shakespeare joined a troupe like The Queen’s Men

Dunton-Downer, L. & Riding, A. (2004). Essential Shakespeare Handbook. New York: DK Publishing, Inc.

*I found other information about the Queen’s visit and biographical facts from this book. Also Shakespeare was called an upstart crow by a fellow playwright.

Robbins, M. (1995). Shakespeare – Challenging: Teacher Created Materials. USA: Rachelle Cracchiolo, M.S. Ed. & Mary Dupuy Smith, M.S. Ed.

*I used biographical information from this book as well as details about bearbaiting and the Puritan fight against plays.

Web Pages

Alchin, L. K. (2004). William Shakespeare info (the Complete Works online) e.g. Retrieved June 21, 2005, from .

*I got details about what the Coat of Arms looked like from this site.

Mabillard, Amanda. (2000). “Shakespeare of Stratford.” Shakespeare Online. Retreived June 22, 2005, from .

*I discovered details about Shakespeare as an actor and playwright.

Holden, A. (1999). “William Shakespeare: The Man Behind the Genius.” The Early Life Story of William Shakespeare. Retrieved June 24, 2005, from .

• I took details about Shakespeare’s childhood and family from here.

Videos

The videos I watched were very old and did not have labels with bibliographical information. I had returned them to the library before I thought to watch the credits for this information. Therefore, all I have is the name for each one. I hope that’s okay.

Historical Interview Series. Shakespeare: Time Quest. (20 min.)

*Interveiw was about Shakespeares works, but I got the idea of using this genre from watching the video.

TeleVideo. Shakespeare’s World. (90 min.)

*This video gave a good bit of information about Stratford and the surrounding area.

*I used several books for the same information. Since we know few hard facts about Shakespeare’s life, there is much conjecture. I liked reading different view points from a variety of people. It helped me acquire enough information to form my own opinions.

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