"Nunnery" had two very different meanings in Tudor England. Modern dictionaries only list one definition of the word, which is, of course, a convent. However, if you look up "nunnery" in a dictionary of archaic words and uses, you will see that "nunnery" did mean both a convent and a brothel in Shakespeare's day. Its meaning as a "brothel" was colloquial, though, even in Tudor England. Despite the use of "nunnery" as "house of ill repute" in Shakespearean England, there can be no question that Hamlet is referring to the standard definition of the word - a house of meditation for women who have devoted themselves to God. Only by entering a nunnery can Ophelia ensure that she will not procreate and become a breeder of sinners.
This could refer to William Shakespeare's Lost Years - see the related question link below.
William Shakespeare makes reference to a Dark Lady in his sonnets - but no-one knows who this dark lady is. (Shakespeare also appears to refer to Anne Hathaway in Sonnet CXLV). There may not even have been a Dark Lady: many sonnetteers at the time invented girlfriends to write poems about. We know that Shakespeare rented a room from George Wilkins early in his career. And we know that George Wilkins managed a brothel at around the same time. Perhaps William Shakespeare knew one of the working girls. (John Mortimer suggest this very convincingly in his 1977 series of TV plays William Shakespeare).
This could refer to Willam Shakespeare's lost years - see the related question link below.
Shakespeare and the other actors were known as "players". It says that on his application for a coat of arms.
Sure, children are welcome at most performances at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. They often have school tours there. You are aware that the name "Shakespeare's Globe theatre" can only refer to the theatre built in 1997 and can never refer to the one built in 1599, aren't you?
This could refer to William Shakespeare's Lost Years - see the related question link below.
William Shakespeare makes reference to a Dark Lady in his sonnets - but no-one knows who this dark lady is. (Shakespeare also appears to refer to Anne Hathaway in Sonnet CXLV). There may not even have been a Dark Lady: many sonnetteers at the time invented girlfriends to write poems about. We know that Shakespeare rented a room from George Wilkins early in his career. And we know that George Wilkins managed a brothel at around the same time. Perhaps William Shakespeare knew one of the working girls. (John Mortimer suggest this very convincingly in his 1977 series of TV plays William Shakespeare).
This could refer to Willam Shakespeare's lost years - see the related question link below.
Shakespeare and the other actors were known as "players". It says that on his application for a coat of arms.
Sure, children are welcome at most performances at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. They often have school tours there. You are aware that the name "Shakespeare's Globe theatre" can only refer to the theatre built in 1997 and can never refer to the one built in 1599, aren't you?
In Shakespeare's day actors were called "players".
By his Roman name Vulcan. "as foul as Vulcan's stithy . . ."
William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Tennis Balls
In Shakespeare's time, "gay" did not connote a sexual orientation. "Gay" indicated merriment or happiness, so "gay goose" most likely referred to a festive or lively goose. It could also possibly refer to a well-dressed or adorned goose.
Queen Elizabeth I ruled England when Shakespeare came to London. This is why the Elizabethan and Shakespearean refer to the same time period.
Horse Isle quest answer: Macbeth