1. Where did Shakespeare get the inspiration for Romeo and Juliet?

 

The storyline of this play was actually not originally Shakespeare's idea. Around the same time in Spain, a work by the title of Capulet and Montague. Before that, however, the story had been passed around from culture to culture, originating in Ancient Greece. The funny thing is the story Pyramus and Thisbe from which the story of Romeo and Juliet originated from, is referred to in A Midsummer Night's Dream. That is the play they perform at the wedding in the end of the story. Another version of the story, probably the one Shakespeare based his off of, was written in poem form by Arthur Brooke. However, massive changes were made to this plot by Shakespeare.

 

2. How were his plays produced?

 

Shakespeare's plays were produced very much like Ancient Greek plays were. The costumes were simple, the props and sets were few. In many cases, the audience had to imagine what the setting would look like if there was one. Also, there were no female actors. The roles of older women were played by men, and boys whos' voices had not changed often played girls.

 

3. Did Shakespeare carry some of his own life into any of his plays?

 

Yes. It is widely believed that he lent his own experiences to his plays in bits and pieces. For example, in The Merrie Wives of Windsor, there is a scene where a school aged boy named William is being quizzed by his Welsh school master. Also in A Midsummer Night's Dream, the story from which Romeo and Juliet evolved is in the play. Pyramus and Thisbe is the play performed by the artisans at the wedding.

 

 

 

1. Why is Shakespeare called "The Bard"?

Shakespeare is called "The Bard" because the word Bard means poet. Shakespeare is the most well known poet in the history of the world so he was bestowed with the title.

 

2. What significance do the names de Ver and Marlow have to Shakespeare?

 

Edward de Ver and Christopher Marlow are two of the people who have been attributed to writing Shakespeare's plays, instead of Shakespeare himself. For those who speculate, de Ver died in 1604. Many of Shakespeare's plays were writen after that. In the case of Christopher Marlowe he died in 1593! Long before many of Shakespeare's plays were performed for Queen Elizabeth. Another contender for Shakespeare's play authorship is Sir Francis Bacon. Unfortunately for supporters of that theory, Bacon wouldn't have had time to act and write plays while leading a double life (his actual title was Lord Verulam, but he wrote under the name Bacon to hide his identity).

 

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