8-4QueensMen

How did Shakespeare begin a life and career in the theatre? Who are the Queen's Men and what role may they have played in Shakespeare's early life?

//Answer prepared by Sophie Vick.//

As the son of John Shakespeare, a prosperous glove maker in Stratford, young William Shakespeare would have been exposed to acting companies which toured the countryside during the warm summer months. In the book Bard of Avon by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema, the authors have noted that a theatrical troupe was hired by Shakespeare’s father to perform in Stratford for nine shillings, the equivalent of $50. There is no documentation regarding William Shakespeare’s first theatrical experiences, but it may have been performances in Stratford which first drew him to his later career in the theatre. Luckily for the British people, plays and theatre were also loved by England’s royalty, Queen Elizabeth and King James I. Despite the disapproval of the extremely conservative Puritans, theatre thrived with the financial support of the Royal family and aristocrats. In fact, both the Queen and the King had their own acting companies: The Queen’s Men and The King’s Men. There isn’t a lot known about the early theatrical career of William Shakespeare. However, by 1592, it is known that Shakespeare had left his wife and three children at his parent’s house in Stratford and was working in London as an actor. He had also written several plays. At this time, fame and fortune were reserved for the actors. As an actor, Shakespeare gained both recognition and financial rewards. This career later helped him become a better writer for actors. He understood how an actor could effectively use his voice and body, and he learned how to get into the imagination of the audience.



 He invested a generous gift from a patron in his own acting company called, The Chamberlain’s Men. This company was named after the Queen’s cousin, Lord Chamberlain who financially supported the group. Unlike most acting companies, Shakespeare and his group were “respectable family men, homeowners, and taxpayers”, according to the book Who Wrote the Classics? by Nora Stirling on p. 20. The Chamberlain’s Men became very popular and performed annually at court. Shakespeare continued performing and rehearsing, as well as, writing three to four plays per year.

Works Cited “The Elizabethan Period” 6 April 2009.  Fallon, Robert Thomas. //How to Enjoy Shakespeare//. Chicago: Ivan R. Dee, 2005. “McEvoy, Sean. //Shakespeare: The Basics//. New York: Rout Ledge, 2000. Stanley, Diane and Vennema, Peter. //Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare//. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc, 1992. Stirling, Nora. //Who Wrote the Classics?// New York: The John Day Company, Inc., 1965.