Shakespeare Summit

Williams Shakespeare an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. 

Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories.

His impact has been across several centuries. He was not good with spellings, but dictionary has words used by him now. 

Family Background : Shakespeare was the son of John Shakespeare, an alderman and a successful glover (glove-maker) originally from Snitterfield in Warwickshire, and Mary Arden, the daughter of an affluent landowning family. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he was baptised on 26 April 1564. His date of birth is unknown, but is traditionally observed on 23 April, Saint George's Day. This date, which can be traced to William Oldys and George Steevens, has proved appealing to biographers because Shakespeare died on the same date in 1616. He was the third of eight children, and the eldest surviving son. Died on same day 52 years later. At the age of 18, he married 26 year old, Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. 

Work : Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. 

He wrote 37 to 38 play - 10 history , 15 comedy and 10 tragedy. There are people who say only 2 are completely original, and all others are taken from here and there. 

He got inspiration from:

• Classical Literature
• Historical events
• Contemporary sources
• Folklore and Mythology
• Theatre Practice
• Audience Interaction

He was a keen observer. 

Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies is a collection of plays by William Shakespeare, commonly referred to by modern scholars as the First Folio, published in 1623, about seven years after Shakespeare's death. It is considered one of the most influential books ever published.

Initially, his plays were published as quarto edition. He was not an university graduate and so was criticised. 

During plague, when drama was not played, he started writing Sonnets. 

Then known as the 'Lord Chamberlain's Men. He was given a shareholder. After the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603, the company was awarded a royal patent by the new King James 1

His association with the company made him wealthy and be purchased his second house in Stratford (30 rooms). New Place. 

His name became a selling point. 

Growth: 

Pyramid structure - In folio - in 1603, he has mentioned :

If you like it, gift it to your friend, suggest to them. 

Growth from Plays:

1. Performance Days
2. Repertory Systems - One play every six months - Write more for the same set of people
3. Traveling Troupe with his plays
4. Special events - Charity events 

Marketing of Plays:

1. Easily accessible location of plays
2. Word of Mouth
3. Playbills or Pamphlets.
4. Town criers or heralds - Public Proclamation in market
5. Celebrity Actors
6. Special events

Key takeaways:

1. He focused on quality than quantity. He could write 7k words without repeating. Editing crisp. 
2. He was passionate and focused about his work. 
3. Don't get distracted from next shining thing - Be focused. 
4. He is known for his powerful speeches. He was an impactful speaker, actor. 
5. He didn't stop with one. He kept on working. 
6. He is the national poet of Germany too - his work has been translated into different languages, that kept him alive in different languages and countries. 
7. His work was revived by several artists and authors.  - they are timeless and relevant. 

Kaam Aisa Karo:  that you become part of the curriculum - may be in history, literature or GK. 

Why is Shakespeare popular even today?

1. His success was more after his death
2. Keep doing your work. 
3. People may or may not talk about you when you are alive. 
4. David revived Shakespeare's work, after 100 years. 
5. Educational Curriculum kept him alive. 
6. People kept rewriting his plays with happy ending
7. Theatre kept performing his plays across countries. 
8. Authors and Poets worshipped him or hated him.

Was fortunate to watch his play in his theatre 'The Globe' in London,  Then known as the 'Lord Chamberlain's Men. He was given a shareholder. After the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603, the company was awarded a royal patent by the new King James 1. The Globe theatre can reach 3000 people at once. 

As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 and first published in the First Folio in 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wilton House in 1603 (the house having been a focus for literary activity under Mary Sidney for much of the later 16th century) has been suggested as a possibility.

As You Like It follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle's court, accompanied by her cousin Celia to find safety and, eventually, love, in the Forest of Arden. In the forest, they encounter a variety of memorable characters, notably the melancholy traveller Jaques, who speaks one of Shakespeare's most famous speeches ("All the world's a stage") and provides a sharp contrast to the other characters in the play, always observing and disputing the hardships of life in the country.

Historically, critical response has varied, with some critics finding the play a work of great merit and some finding it to be of lesser quality than other Shakespearean works.

The play has been adapted for radio, film, and musical theatre.