KOS
What is Nat's full name?
Nathan Field
Who is the leader of the acting company from 1999?
Arby
Illness Nat catches?
The Bubonic Plague
Year Nat travels to?
1599
Name of Shakespeare's theatre
The Globe
Who was the queen in 1599?
The river in London near the theatre
The Thames
Nat's costume item
Doublet
Who becomes a Father figure to Nat?
Shakespeare
Only men and boys acted (no women on stage)
What unusual event happens to Nat after he falls ill at rehearsal?
He time-travels back to Elizabethan England and takes the place of another boy actor, Nathan Field.
List at least three challenges Nat faces while adjusting to life in Elizabethan England.
Understanding the strange old-fashioned language.
Living with stricter rules and harsher punishments.
Adjusting to food and hygiene differences.
Facing the dangers of plague and disease.
Missing his modern comforts and friends.
Who is Arby, and how does he influence Nat’s journey in both worlds?
Arby is the strict director of the modern theatre troupe; he pushes Nat hard but also teaches him discipline and respect for Shakespeare’s art.
Why does Nat feel such a strong connection to Shakespeare in the novel?
Because Shakespeare becomes a father figure, and Nat is grieving the loss of his own parents.
The thing Rachel notices on Nat's neck when he wakes up in hospital
The painted leaf from his puck makeup
5 actors from Arby's troop
Nat, Arby, Rachel, Danny, pudgy boy, Eric
5 actors from Richard Burbage's company
Burbage, Shakespeare, Harry, Nick, Alex, Roper
What was the purpose of rhyming couplets in Shakespeare’s plays, and how does Nat experience this when acting?
They signaled the end of scenes, made lines memorable, and created rhythm. Nat learns how powerful they sound when performed aloud.
What role did the plague play in Elizabethan society, and how is it shown in King of Shadows?
The plague closed theatres, spread fear, and caused many deaths. In the novel, it is a constant danger and part of the reason Nat ends up in Shakespeare’s time.
How does being in Shakespeare’s time help Nat emotionally?
t allows him to step away from his pain and connect with people who give him comfort and purpose.
Why is grief an important part of Nat’s journey?
Because it shapes how he sees the world and isolates him from others until he begins to heal.
How does performing in the Globe affect Nat’s identity?
It helps him feel confident, valued, and truly part of something bigger than himself.
Why is Nat chosen to go back in time instead of someone else?
He shares the same name as Nathan field in order for Nat to switch places, save Shakespeare's life and heal emotionally.
What effect does the time swap have on both versions of Nat?
The modern Nat gains emotional healing, while the Elizabethan Nat experiences a glimpse of the future and heals from the plague.