This is Sleepy History. Sleepy History is a production of Slumber Studios. To listen ad-free, get access to bonus episodes, and support the ongoing production of this show, check out our premium feed. William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon, a man who left an enduring impact on English language and literature. You might have read his plays, seen them performed in the theatre, or watched one of the many on-screen adaptations inspired by his work. But who was this famous writer? What inspired him to write such masterful works? What is it about his plays in particular that speaks to us? Tonight, we'll delve into these questions as we examine his life and works. So just relax and let your mind drift. as we explore the sleepy history of William Shakespeare. It's 1592 in London, England, and a satirical pamphlet has just been published. In Green's Groatsworth of Wit, The Elizabethan playwright Robert Greene criticizes his peers. The pamphlet includes a scathing review of an upstart crow beautified with our feathers. It's targeting a lowly actor full of his own self-importance who thinks he can write plays. Ironically, Green's pamphlet is now most famous for this reference to William Shakespeare. The upstart Crow is widely considered to be Shakespeare, arguably the greatest writer in the English language. His plays and poems have been translated into more than 100 languages and are admired around the world. They've been read, studied, performed, and adapted, inspiring countless books, films, and other works of art. William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon on the 23rd April 1564. Stratford lies in the county of Warwickshire, just over 90 miles northwest of London. He was the third of eight children and the eldest surviving son of Mary Arden and John Shakespeare. His mother's family were wealthy landowners and his father was a man of many trades and talents. John Shakespeare came from a family of successful farmers and sold timber and barley from the land he inherited. While his main profession was glove-making, he also bought several local properties, which he leased out for extra income. A popular figure in the community, he took on various roles within local government. Positions ranged from town constable to Stratford's own official ale taster. And in 1568, when William was just four years old, John was elected as High Bailiff, the equivalent of Mayor. However, things took a turn a few years later. John was prosecuted and fined for selling wool illegally without a license. His reputation took a hit, alongside his finances. William is thought to have left school around the age of 13 or 14, perhaps due to his father's financial difficulties. On the other hand, back then it was common for boys to leave school at this age. We can't know for sure, and the history of Shakespeare's early life is patchy at best. But we can assume that he attended the local grammar school, studying a curriculum that included Latin and classical literature. There's no record of what William Shakespeare did between the ages of around 13 and 18. But, considering his situation and the context of the time, it's likely that he worked in his father's glove-making business. The next time Shakespeare's name appears in the historical records, it's to document his marriage to Anne Hathaway. The daughter of a prosperous farmer, Anne, was 26 years old, older than average for a first marriage. In Elizabethan England, marriages were commonly arranged by parents, sometimes for girls as young as 12, though most couples were in their 20s. Shakespeare's marriage may have caused gossip, as Anne was already pregnant when the couple wed in 1582. Historians have long speculated about the nature of their relationship. In all the plays and poetry Shakespeare would write, there don't appear to be any references to his wife. Some think that their marriage was distant and unaffectionate. Another possibility is that they had a close but private relationship. Like much in Shakespeare's life, the truth remains elusive. The couple went on to share three children together. Susanna was born in 1583, and then, two years later, Anne gave birth to twins, Hamnet and Judith. They likely lived with Shakespeare's family in Stratford, as young couples often did at the time. At this point, Shakespeare disappears from the records once again. Some have speculated that he may have been employed as a schoolmaster by a Catholic landowner named Alexander Houghton. However, there's little evidence for this, other than a mention in Houghton's will of an employee named William Shakespeare. What we do know is that by 1592, Shakespeare was living and working in London, and we know that he was writing because several of his plays were already being staged. It's that same year when his fellow playwright, Robert Greene, attacked him in print as an upstart Crow. Green didn't mention Shakespeare by name, but it was clear to all that the lines in the pamphlet were about him. Especially as Green parodied a line from one of Shakespeare's plays, Henry VI, Part II. Shakespeare had described one particular character as having a tiger's heart wrapped in a woman's hide. In his pamphlet, Green referred to the playwright as having a tiger's heart wrapped in a player's hide. It tells us something, that Shakespeare was chosen as a target. His plays were already a hit with the general public, so playwrights like Green may have felt threatened by his success. At this point in time, Elizabethan England was in the midst of the English Renaissance. There had been a cultural shift in arts and education. The Renaissance led to all sorts of advances, including a flourishing of literature and drama. It also led to the evolution of English Renaissance Theatre, which might be the era's crowning jewel. The country became more prosperous under Elizabeth I, which meant that more people had extra income. This could be spent on leisure and entertainment, like trips to the theatre to see the latest play. With the theatre business in bloom, there was competition between different playwrights and acting troops, something hinted at in Green's pamphlet. Shakespeare was employed with the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a theatre group who were named after their wealthy patron. They originally performed at a venue simply called The Theatre in the region of Shoreditch, just outside of London. Historical records from 1592 list Shakespeare's profession as a player or actor. Indeed, he would have acted out his own plays and others alongside a cast of male-only actors. Typically acting was considered a lowly profession Actors were often thought of as vagabonds who lived outside civilization But Shakespeare's company, the Lord Chamberlain's men, had noble patronage. These kinds of troops were increasingly respected and enjoyed legal protection. Although Shakespeare was living and working in London, he continued to provide for his family, who remained in Stratford-upon-Avon. Over the years, Shakespeare received financial support from wealthy patrons such as the Earl of Southampton. And of course, he also had his wages from the Lord Chamberlain's men for his work as both actor and playwright. Since the invention of the printing press in the century before, it had become easier for writers to share their work. Shakespeare's play scripts were circulated among his peers and staged soon after, having been well received The chronology of Shakespeare's writing requires educated guesswork but one of his earliest plays is believed to be the comedy The Taming of the Shrew The play follows the courtship of a couple and The Transformation or Taming of a Headstrong Woman. The Taming of the Shrew is thought to have been written sometime between 1590 and 1592. Around this time, he also wrote Henry VI, the first of many history plays. It took the form of three separate plays, parts 1, 2 and 3. It's believed that part 2 was the first to be performed. It was likely staged at the Rose Theatre in 1592. The other parts were probably performed soon after, either at the Rose or in a performance by his own troupe at the Theatre. Other historical works soon followed, including Richard III, Richard II, King John, and Henry V. And at the turn of the century, Shakespeare took a break from British history to write Julius Caesar. History plays were popular during the English Renaissance. For a long time, they were thought to be historically accurate. But today, we allow for Shakespeare's artistic license. For instance, we now know that Shakespeare's descriptions of Richard III, in terms of both his physical appearance and his character, were somewhat exaggerated. Tragedies were also very popular, including those that blended elements of history. Titus' earliest tragedy was Titus Andronicus, first performed in 1594. Although it's set in ancient Rome, the story is fictional. It's based on classical and medieval legends. Titus follows a general in the Roman army, returning from war with prisoners in tow. The play explores darker themes like revenge and murder, and most of the major characters meet their demise. Shakespeare's plays quickly became some of the most popular in London. The Lord Chamberlain's men began performing his plays almost exclusively. For years, the company had primarily been based at the theatre in Shoreditch. But in 1597, the landlord, Giles Allen, refused to renew the lease. This posed a predicament for the company. Luckily, the men had a solution in mind. one that would save their careers and their theatre. When negotiations failed, the company took advantage of some ambiguity in the terms of the lease. Working in secret, they dismantled the theatre and carried the timbers across the river. They then constructed a new venue in Southwark, the Globe Theatre. The former landlord was furious and sued for damages But the courts ruled in favour of the Lord Chamberlain's men This bold stunt likely raised the theatre's profile And helped to secure the company's future They now had their very own purpose-built playhouse By the time his work was being performed at the Globe, Shakespeare had written many plays that are still beloved today. This included the tragedy Romeo and Juliet, a tale of star-crossed lovers from rival families. It showcased Shakespeare's countless talents, such as his ability to convey emotion to an audience. He achieved this predominantly through the dialogue, which took center stage on a fairly simple set. A rear balcony at the Globe formed Juliet's bedroom window, where she listened to Romeo's proclamations of love. Towards the end, when tragedy befalls the couple, a trap door in the stage became a makeshift tomb. Music also helped to convey emotion. But the main focus was always on the acting. The cast were all male, as in Renaissance England, women weren't allowed to perform on stage. Female roles like Juliet would have been played by men in costume. It made little difference to the play's success, and perhaps that's testament to the skill of the actors. Those who worked with Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre went on to become celebrities in Elizabethan London. Richard Burbage was the company's biggest star, and perhaps the most famous actor in England at the time. Burbage was famed for his dramatic prowess, which lent itself well to title roles like Richard III and Hamlet years later. Will Kemp, by contrast, was a popular comedic actor. He brought out the humor as a servant in Romeo and Juliet, and perhaps as the self-important Dogbury in Much Ado About Nothing. He very well might have acted in other roles too, considering the number of comedies that Shakespeare wrote. They were often a little farcical, like a comedy of errors, in which two sets of identical twins are searching for their lost brother. In A Midsummer Night's Dream, two couples get lost in the woodland, where a mischievous fairy uses a love potion on them. Hilarity ensues as he matches the wrong couple, causing chaos between the human lovers. Whether inspired by history or entirely fictional, comedic or tragic, Shakespeare's plays always ended to applause. One of the first Shakespeare plays staged at the Globe was Julius Caesar, a historical tragedy set in ancient Rome. charted the events that led to the Roman dictator's assassination, exploring themes like ambition and abuse of power, the fickleness of the public, and the consequences of decisions. It's thought to have mirrored 16th-century anxieties about the danger of power held by absolute monarchs, and the potential for civil war if the queen died without an heir. This was one of Shakespeare's many talents, that he could take a story from a distant time and place and make it feel relevant to the audience. He could explore topics that paralleled contemporary themes and problems and, covertly, make a comment about Elizabethan issues. Plays like Richard III are, in part, propaganda, exaggerating the virtues of the Tudor rulers alongside the shortcomings of their political rivals. But at the same time, there seems to be an effort to educate the public and shine a spotlight on the consequences of poor leadership. Shakespeare was able to humanize monarchs at a time when they were thought to be appointed by God. It must have been refreshing to see kings and queens as real people, rather than heroes or villains, people who were susceptible to the same faults and misfortunes as everyone else. Sometime between 1599 and 1601, Shakespeare wrote one of his best-known works, Hamlet. It was written after the death of his 11 son Hamlet Some critics have speculated that Shakespeare may have channeled his grief into the play Either way, there's no doubt that Hamlet is profoundly emotional. It's the tale of the Prince of Denmark who wants to avenge his father's murder. He descends into madness and violence, with devastating results for all involved. Hamlet was one of many great plays that Shakespeare would write over the next decade and a half. There were more witty comedies and gory tragedies, and more historical plays mixing different elements. All's Well That Ends Well is a comedy that tells the story of unrequited love. After being rejected, a woman chases a nobleman around Europe and eventually wins his heart through cleverness and determination. Another popular comedy, Twelfth Night, includes a shipwreck, a love triangle, and a case of mistaken identity. Though, as with all of Shakespeare's comedies, there are layers beneath the laughter, poignant themes that stay with the audience. Take Measure for Measure, with its comedic plotline about the comeuppance of a corrupt tyrant. We don't have to dig too deep beneath the surface to find themes of morality, law, and justice. By criticizing the hypocrisy of one corrupt leader, Shakespeare condemns all who would act in this way. He emphasizes the qualities that a good leader should have, like the willingness to forgive and show mercy. Shakespeare was masterful in teaching moral lessons. His plots showed the consequences of certain actions, and characters were often punished for having low moral fiber, for being selfish, cruel, cowardly, or boastful. One example is the ruthless ambition of the Scottish general Macbeth in the tragedy of the same name. Goaded on by his power-hungry wife, he's driven to murder in his quest to be king. There are more deaths as Macbeth spirals into paranoia, and it's implied that the guilt causes Lady Macbeth to take her own life. The country is plunged into a civil war. Macbeth is killed and a new king is crowned. In Othello, Shakespeare explores the theme of jealousy, as the envious Iago manipulates Othello into thinking his wife is having an affair. This results in the deaths of nearly all the major characters. It's as if the playwright is sharing a message about the impact of jealousy. These are the consequences of coveting what others have and being quick to trust in those with ulterior motives. During this period, Shakespeare also wrote several history plays, fictionalized versions of real-life events. Some take place far from England, like Antony and Cleopatra, set in Italy and Egypt. It tells the tragic love story of the Roman general Mark Antony and the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Others are set closer to home, like Henry VIII, which Shakespeare co-wrote with John Fletcher in 1613. the story of the king's divorce from Catherine of Aragon and his marriage to his second wife, Anne Boleyn. The play ends with the christening of their daughter Elizabeth, who is prophesied to become a great leader. It was during a performance of Henry VIII in 1613 that the Globe Theatre burnt down. Cannons were fired as part of the theatrics. A stray spark ignited the thatched roof and reduced the building to ashes in less than an hour. The Globe would be rebuilt by the following year, and the Lord Chamberlain's men, by now called the King's Men, would once again delight audiences with Shakespeare's plays. However, the playwright himself wouldn't join them. By 1613, Shakespeare had mostly retired from writing. He moved to Stratford, for the house that he'd bought for his family years earlier. It was known as New Place, and it was one of the largest and most luxurious houses in Stratford. Here, Shakespeare would live out his short retirement. He passed away just three years later, at the age of 52. The cause of Shakespeare's death remains unknown. He may have had a fever, such as typhus. Another theory is that he might have contracted syphilis while living as a bachelor in London. There has long been speculation about Shakespeare's sexuality. The famous sonnet, Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day, is widely believed to address a young man. Some believe that man was Henry Risley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, Shakespeare's patron and perhaps lover Other sonnets describe the Dark Lady, a woman with dark hair and skin Some have speculated that she was a real person and tried to identify her But many scholars agree that the Dark Lady is most likely fictional, a product of Shakespeare's imagination. We'll likely never know of Shakespeare's real-life romances. But, judging from those in his plays and poems, it seems fair to assume that he experienced love. and, contrary to popular belief, Shakespeare's marriage was not necessarily a loveless one. Recent research suggests that rather than living separate lives, Shakespeare and Anne may have spent time together in London. Another interesting detail is that in his will, Shakespeare left Anne his second best bed. Although this has sometimes been interpreted as a snub, it may have actually been a sentimental gesture. The best bed in the house was usually for guests, so the second best bed was likely the one they had shared as a couple. To his wife, Shakespeare left the bed and furniture. To his eldest daughter, the majority of his estate. And to the world, he left an unparalleled legacy, one that changed the course of English literature. However, we can't give Shakespeare the entirety of the credit. After all, it was common practice for playwrights of the time to collaborate with others. Shakespeare worked with Thomas Middleton on Timon of Athens and collaborated with others on his last three plays. Equally, he took inspiration from contemporary dramatists, as well as medieval plays and works by Seneca, the ancient Roman playwright and philosopher. Not that this takes away from Shakespeare's own legacy, as the Bard of Avon and England's national poet. It's impossible to overstate the reach of his impact or the depth of his genius and individual flair. His works would be published after his death, thanks to the efforts of his former colleagues. The first folio was published in 1623. It was a collection of Shakespeare's work, including 36 plays. The preface was written by fellow playwright Ben Johnson. A former rival of Shakespeare, his appraisal was glowing. Shakespeare was not of an age, said Johnson, but for all time. The second folio was published in 1632. It was essentially a reprint with hundreds of minor changes and corrections. Looking through the works, we can track the development of Shakespeare's unique style. Characters become more intriguing with each play and narratives are brought to life through a range of devices Generally, Shakespeare wrote in iambic pentameter using unrhymed lines of ten syllables An unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed one a da-dum-da-dum rhythm This gives the writing a natural flow which lends itself perfectly to spoken dialogue Actors were given monologues and soliloquies, speaking their inner thoughts to a rapt audience. This revealed the depth of characters, their fears, desires, internal conflict and motivation. No person was straightforwardly good or bad, even the heroic could be flawed and human. Shakespeare is often credited with first recording or even inventing as many as 2000 words, including gossip, jaded, lonely and traditional. He also used a range of similes and metaphors in order to create an image in the audience's mind. Many common expressions today were first coined by Shakespeare, from I have not slept one wink and foregone conclusion, to the world is my oyster and what's done is done. Puns, wordplay and double entendres were expertly inserted to add humour and depth What's more, we likely miss some of the jokes because the spelling and pronunciation of certain words has changed since Shakespeare's day Today, experts are still looking for hidden layers in the body of work that Shakespeare left behind That's at least 38 plays 154 sonnets three long narrative poems and a few other verses There might well be more, too, that we don't yet know about Shakespearean scripts that have been lost over time. The plays are remarkable on so many levels, but perhaps it's the stories themselves and the characters that have assured Shakespeare's enduring legacy. Themes like jealousy, ambition, deceit, and power are just as relevant today as when the plays were first written. The same is true of the individual characters, the inner conflict they experience, their virtues and shortcomings, and the problems they face, which have no easy solution. These characters are real in a way that an audience can connect with. whether in the 17th century or the 21st. Shakespeare's plays raise questions, and perhaps there are some lessons to be learned. Some teach us to laugh through difficulty, while others counsel us to trust our instincts. Some guide us to take measured risks and to deal with the consequences, whatever they might be. These days, scholars are cautious about biographical readings of Shakespeare's work. Nonetheless, it's tempting to think that in the plays we can also learn something about the playwright himself, his own life philosophy. Maybe he was drawing on his own experiences and observations of people. He may have witnessed the real-life consequences of jealousy, deceit, corruption and greed, and understood the folly of revenge. The latter is a theme in one of his last plays, The Tempest. It emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, empathy over judgment, love over hate. Shakespeare reminds us of what unites us as people, the highs and lows that we all endure. As such, he made the world a brighter place, a little kinder, wiser, and more thoughtful. We'll leave you now with these words from The Tempest. Our revels now are ended. These are actors, as I foretold you, were all spirits and are melted into air, into thin air. And like the baseless fabric of this vision, the cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself, yea, all which it inherit shall dissolve. And like this insubstantial pageant faded, leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff as dreams are made on. And our little life is rounded with a sleep. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Amen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
