Hamlet, with 1569 lines, is the most loquacious Shakespearean character. Richard III is second, with 1161 lines. Iago is next, with 1117 lines, and then Henry V, with his 1063 lines. No other characters have more than 1000 lines. *Note that if we include all of the lines Henry V speaks in the Henry IV plays (when he is known as "Prince Hal"), then Henry V has the most lines of any character.

Which of Shakespeare's plays has the most lines? Which is the shortest play?

According to research conducted by noted Shakespearean scholar Tucker Brooke, Hamlet has the most lines (3924 lines) and The Comedy of Errors has the fewest (1770 lines). Macbeth is the shortest tragedy (with 1993 lines).

What can you tell me about the group 'The King's Men'?

In 1603, Queen Elizabeth I died and James the VI of Scotland became the new monarch, King James I of England. James loved the arts and was very generous to actors, playwrights, and other performers of the day. In particular, James I loved the theatre, and was captivated by Shakespeare's acting troupe, the Chamberlain's Men. Within ten days of arriving in London, James demanded that Shakespeare's troupe come under his own patronage. So they were granted a royal patent and changed their names to the King's Men, in honour of King James. It was indeed lucky for the King's Men that James held them in such high regard, for in 1603, England saw its worst outbreak of the plague in decades, and all the theatres had to be closed. Shakespeare and his troupe were not out of work, however, because James provided them with many engagements, performing for royalty outside of the infected London area. By 1608 the King's Men had a permanent winter home at the Blackfriar's Theatre and they played to a mostly rich and well-educated audience (they spent the summer months at the Globe). Their creativity began to flourish and they are credited with starting the new style of Jacobean drama.

What is the name of the work that some scholars have recently attributed to Shakespeare?

The work some scholars have controversially attributed to Shakespeare is a poem called Shall I die?. The poem, consisting of ninety lines, was first suggested to be a Shakespeare original by a professor at Oxford, Gary Taylor. Most people do not agree with Taylor's hypothesis because the poem contains weak and uninspired verse and looks nothing like Shakespeare's other work.

I need some information on two of Shakespeare's contemporary actors -- Richard Burbage and Edward Alleyn.

Richard Burbage was the son of James Burbage, the theatrical entrepreneur, and the brother of another famous actor of the day, Cuthbert Burbage. Richard Burbage played all the major Shakespearean characters, including Othello, Hamlet, Lear, and Richard III. He was a member of the Chamberlain's Men (later known as the King's Men) until his death in 1619. He was also a wonderful painter and, with William Shakespeare as his partner, he designed a ceremonial shield for the Earl of Rutland (1578-1632), to be used at a tournament in 1613 honoring James I. Edward Alleyn was also considered one of the greatest actors of Shakespeare's time. In 1585 he joined the Admiral's Men and, in 1592, he married the daughter of theatre owner and patron, Philip Henslowe. He was so popular that, when he decided to retire in 1598, Queen Elizabeth herself requested that he return to acting. He agreed, but retired again in 1604 and never returned to the stage. In 1623 his wife died and he remarried -- this time to the daughter of the great English poet, John Donne. He died in 1626. For more information on both actors, click here.

Were Renaissance actors respected?

Elizabethan actors were highly regarded. They were usually active members of the community, and beloved by most, even by royalty. Queen Elizabeth and James I were great patrons of the arts, and often they would associate with actors like Alleyn, Burbage, and Kempe. Queen Elizabeth personally asked Alleyn to come out of retirement in 1600.

Could you tell me where I find the text of "Who is Sylvia"?

The poem, "Who is Sylvia", is found in The Two Gentlemen of Verona (iv.ii.40).

How many plays did Shakespeare actually write?

How many of Shakespeare's plays are set in Italy?

The plays in which some or all of the action is set in Italy are: All's Well that Ends Well, Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus, Cymbeline, Julius Caesar, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, Titus Andronicus, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Winter's Tale. Keep in mind that some of these plays are not set exclusively in Italy.

Is Shakespeare the most widely read author of all time?

Shakespeare is the most widely read author in English speaking countries. His works are second only to the Bible in popularity. 90% of American high school students must read some work by Shakespeare, and all British students in high school must read Shakespeare at some point.

I need to know about the audience during Shakespeare's time.

Most of the poorer audience members, referred to as groundlings, would pay 1 penny (which was almost an entire days wages) to stand in front of the stage, while the richer patrons would sit in the covered galleries. The audience would have been composed of tanners, butchers, iron-workers, millers, seamen from the ships docked in the Thames, glovers, servants, shopkeepers, wig-makers, bakers, and countless other tradesmen. With the exception of the very rich members of the audience, their diets would have been rather plain. Bread, wine when available, meat, pudding, and a small assortment of vegetables would be the staples for the people of London and surrounding areas.

What types of entertainment did they have in Elizabethan England?

In Elizabethan England, during the times when plays were not completely outlawed, going to the theatre was the favourite pass time of the masses. In times of pestilence, when disease ravaged London, comedians would travel across the English countryside, entertaining farmers. There were also many days devoted to feasting, such as Mad Day, Midsummer Day, and Ascension Day (just to name a few), when people would drink and make merry. Dances were popular, whether you lived in London or in a small town, and so was getting together at the local pub for sing-alongs. Games like chess and checkers were extremely popular -- Miranda plays chess in The Tempest and Queen Elizabeth herself was known to love the game. The upper classes also hunted for fun (shame on them), and engaged in tournaments of fencing. Reading was very popular, and most educated people could read their favorite books in more than one language. One other form of entertainment, called bear baiting, was popular for a short time but stopped after the staging of plays became popular. You can read more about this in my section called "Elizabethan Theatres."

What was Judaism like during Shakespeare's time?

Jewish communities were first established in England with the arrival of William the Conqueror in 1066. Although Jews soon began to play key roles in English economic development and flourished as doctors and tradesmen, they could not escape the rampant anti-Semitism that swept Europe. Jews were subjected to vicious persecutions, including charges of the ritual sacrifice of Christian children, which culminated with their expulsion in 1290 by Edward I. The exile lasted until 1655, when Jewish scholar Manasseh ben Israel obtained Oliver Cromwell’s assent for Jews to return to London. Thus, the Elizabethan people knew little about Jews, other than the false information handed down through years of propaganda.

Many people feel that The Merchant of Venice is anti-Semitic. Although Shakespeare crafts Shylock as an often sympathetic character, you can see anti-Semitism in the Merchant of Venice, as well as in other works of the day that had Jewish characters, like Marlowe's The Jew of Malta. Others believe that Shakespeare rises from the bigotry of the day, pleading for religious tolerance through Shylock's famous speech:

I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a
Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses,
affections, passions? fed with the same food,
hurt with the same weapons, subject to the
same diseases, healed by the same means,
warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as
a Christian is? (3.1.62-73) -- Shylock to Salarino

Can you tell me about revenge tragedy as a genre?

The revenge play was a genre popular in the Elizabethan and Jacobean period. Elements common to all revenge tragedy include: a hero who must avenge an evil deed, often encouraged by the apparition of a close friend or relative; scenes of death and mutilation; insanity or feigned insanity; sub-plays; and the violent death of the hero. Seneca, the Roman poet and philosopher, is accepted to be the father of such revenge tragedy, and a tremendous influence on Shakespeare. Thomas Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy, written in 1592, is credited with reviving the Senecan revenge drama and it spawned many other revenge plays, such as Marlowe's The Jew of Malta, Webster's The Duchess of Malfi, the Ur-Hamlet (see "Sources" section), and Shakespeare's own Titus Andronicus, in addition to Hamlet.

When Shakespeare uses the word "niggardly" is it racially motivated?

Shakespeare uses the term in The Comedy of Errors (3.1.30); Henry V (2.4.49); The Merry Wives (2.2.187); and Twelfth Night (2.5.5). He uses the terms "niggard" and "niggarding" in more plays and sonnets still. He uses it in two ways: "to put off" or "miserly"/"sparingly". The word, originating from the Middle English "nigard" and the Scandinavian word "nig" which means "stingy person", does not have any racial connotations in Shakespeare's works.

Did Queen Elizabeth demand that Shakespeare write a play just so she could see Falstaff again?

Very shortly after the completion of Henry IV, Part II, Shakespeare wrote The Merry Wives of Windsor (1599), featuring the errant knight in the starring role. What prompted Shakespeare to resurrect Falstaff so soon? Two independent sources confirm that Shakespeare revived Falstaff at the insistence of Queen Elizabeth I, who had been delighted by Falstaff's presence in the Henry IV plays. John Dennis, a literary critic who adapted The Merry Wives of Windsor in 1702, asserted, “I know very well that it hath pleased one of the greatest queens that ever was in the world ... This comedy was written at her command, and by her direction, and she was so eager to see it acted that she commanded it to be finished in fourteen days; and was afterwards, as tradition tells us, very well pleased at the representation." Moreover, Nicholas Rowe, in his Life of Shakespeare (1709), reports that the Queen "was so well pleased with that admirable character of Falstaff in the two parts of Henry IV that she commanded him to continue it for one play more, and to show him in love."

There is evidence in the play itself to corroborate the story documented by Rowe and Dennis. Unlike any of his other dramas, Shakespeare deals exclusively with English society in The Merry Wives, localizing the play at Windsor, and making overt complementary references to Windsor Castle. And Falstaff is the romantic lead, determined to woo the wives of Ford and Page, two gentlemen of Windsor.

I've heard of two references in Shakespeare and have no idea how they affected Shakespeare and the time in which he lived: "Conversations with Drummond of Hawthornden" and Foxe's "Act and Monuments." How do they pertain to Shakespeare's life and period?

Foxe's "Act and Monuments", also known as the "Book of Martyrs", is a history of the Christian Church, particularly during the reign of Queen Mary. Protestant martyrs are the heroes of the book, and they engage in dialogues with their persecutors. First printed in Latin in 1559, it was translated into English in 1563, and became second only in popularity to the Bible. Shakespeare used the fourth edition of John Foxe's Book of Martyrs, written in 1583, in constructing some of his plays, including II Henry VI. Here is a link to Foxe's entire text: The Book of Martyrs

Drummond of Hawthornden (1585-1649) was a scholar and traveller and in 1610 he began to write his own poetry and books. In 1618 Jonson visited him and he recorded their talk in his "Conversations". From this document we have received many of Jonson's famous quotes about other authors of his day, like Shakespeare.

Can you tell me what love scenes in Shakespeare's plays are good to perform?

The best love scene to perform would be the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet (2.2). This is by far the most famous of love scenes. Also, there are some great love scenes in Antony and Cleopatra (3.2), (4.1), and in Troilus and Cressida (4.4), just to name a few.

Where can I get information on the costumes worn by actors in Shakespeare's plays?

There is a wonderful site called Shakespeare Illustrated that has paintings of scenes and characters from each of Shakespeare's plays. There is even commentary to go along with some of the drawings.

Which comedy would you suggest young children (ages 8-9) use as a fun introduction to Shakespeare and potentially act out one or two scenes? Do you know of any book that has made any of his plays simple enough for young children?

I would start them with 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Also there is a site that has a summary of all the plays for children. Its called Charles and Mary Lamb Tales From Shakespeare. There are also great books that can be used as an introduction to Shakespeare's work in my bookstore.

What is relation between Caliban from The Tempest and Montaigne's essay On Cannibals?

Montaigne's essay "Of Cannibals" is the only undisputed source of Shakespeare's play. Both are concerned with the differences between natural and artificial society and between barbaric and moral man. His essays were brought about by England's travels to the New World. Notice that Caliban, who represents Montaigne's savage man, is an anagram for cannibal.

Who was Thomas Pavier?

Thomas Pavier was a publisher who contributed pirated texts of Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3, Pericles, King Lear, The Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Henry V to the bad quartos of 1619, as well as two plays that Shakespeare did not even write. Those two plays, Sir John Oldcastle and A Yorkshire Tragedy, were favourites of Pavier and he had published their first editions in 1600 and 1608, respectively.

Who said that Shakespeare was "NOT OF AN AGE, BUT FOR ALL TIME"

Jonson, the great writer and lover of Shakespeare, said the this about the Bard.

Could you list Shakespeare's plays as both fiction and nonfiction?

Shakespeare's plays are all fiction, although he based much of his fiction on historical fact.

I am new to Shakespeare. Which play should I start reading first?

I suggest that you begin with Romeo and Juliet or Richard II. Romeo and Juliet is usually the first play introduced to students because of the relative ease of the words themselves and its straightforward plot. I personally feel that Richard II is a bit easier to read, especially if you do a bit of research before hand, so you will know the place and purpose of all the major historical characters.

Is it true that Shakespeare worked on the King James Bible?

Some believe that Psalm 46 may have been translated by Shakespeare. The King James version of the Bible was printed in 1611, when Shakespeare was 46 years old. It is a possibility, but no one knows for sure.

Just a history question to help my study of Julius Caesar: who formed the first triumvirate?

In 59 BC, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (otherwise known as Pompey) formed the first triumvirate with Crassus and Julius Caesar.

Does Shakespeare ever mention America?

Yes, in The Comedy of Errors, Antipholus of Syracuse asks, "Where America, the Indies?" (3.2.127).

Were women allowed on the Elizabethan stage?

No. Women were only allowed on stage after 1660, following the downfall of Cromwell's puritanical government. The first recorded female actor in England was Margaret Hughes, who played Desdemona in Thomas Killigrew's production of Othello.

Which female character has the most lines?

Rosalind, the heroine of As You Like It, has more lines than any of Shakespeare's female characters. Cleopatra comes in second with 670 lines and third place belongs to Imogen (Cymbeline), with 591 lines. Portia and Juliet round out the top five.

Which of Shakespeare's plays was first to be made into a movie?

In 1899, Sir Herbert Beerbohm-Tree produced the first movie based on a Shakespeare play. The play -- King John.

Can you please give me a list of some of the flowers mentioned in Shakespeare's plays and sonnets?

Shakespeare mentions the violet, pansy, primrose, cowslip, oxlip, daisy, daffodil, rose, dog-rose, lady-smock, lily, marigold, carnation, and many other trees and shrubs.