Although regarded to be the greatest playwright of all time, many facts regarding William Shakespeare's life still remain a mystery. What is known though is that he was the greatest writer to ever walk upon earth, he lived during the reigns of Elizabeth 1 and James 1 and introduced hundreds of new words and phrases that are still commonly heard and used today.
Mysterious origins:
Known throughout the world, the works of William Shakespeare have been performed in countless theatres, cities and villages for many to view for over 400 years. Yet, the personal life of William Shakespeare is somewhat a mystery. There are two primary sources that provide historians all over the world with a basic outline of his life. One source is his work, being his plays, poems and sonnets and the other is official documentation. However, these only provide a basic outline in the events of Shakespeare's life.
Early life:
Although there are no actual birth records that exist, there are church records that indicate that William Shakespeare was baptized at a Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564. From such documentation it is believed he was born on or near April 23, 1564, such being the date that scholars acknowledge as Shakespeare's birthday. William was the third child of John Shakespeare, a leather merchant, and Mary Arden. William had two older sisters, Joan and Judith, and three younger brothers, Gilbert, Richard and Edmund. Before William's birth, his father became a successful merchant. However, records indicate John's fortunes declined sometime after the late 1570's.
There are virtually no records regarding Shakespeare's education, scholars have therefore concluded that he most likely attended the King's New School, in Stratford, which taught reading, writing and the classics.
There are virtually no records regarding Shakespeare's education, scholars have therefore concluded that he most likely attended the King's New School, in Stratford, which taught reading, writing and the classics.
MARRIED life:
William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582. Hathaway was from Shottery, a small village a mile west of Stratford. William was 18 and Anne was 26 and pregnant with William's first child. Their first child, a daughter named Susanna, was born on May 26, 1583. Two years later on February 2, 1585, twins Hamnet and Judith were born. Hamnet later died of unknown causes at the age of 11.
Mysteriously, after the birth of his twins, there were seven years of William's life where no records exist. Most scholars call this period the ‘lost years’, and there is wide speculation as to what he was doing during these years. One theory is that he went into hiding during these years. Another possibility is that he started working as an assistant schoolmaster.
Mysteriously, after the birth of his twins, there were seven years of William's life where no records exist. Most scholars call this period the ‘lost years’, and there is wide speculation as to what he was doing during these years. One theory is that he went into hiding during these years. Another possibility is that he started working as an assistant schoolmaster.
Theatrical Begginings:
There is evidence that by 1592, William Shakespeare earned a living as an actor and a playwright in London and there is a possibility that
by this time he already had a number of plays produced. On September 20, 1592 the edition of the Stationer’s Register read the following regarding William Shakespeare by Robert Greene, also a London playwright “…There is an upstart Crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his Tiger’s heart wrapped in Player’s hide, supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of you: and being an absolute Johannes factotum, is in his own conceit the only Shake-scene in a country.” Scholars differ on the message of this criticism, but most agree that it was Greene's way of saying Shakespeare was reaching above his rank by trying to match better known and more educated playwrights in London at the time.
By the early 1590's, documents show William Shakespeare was a managing partner in the Lord Chamberlain's Men- an acting company in London. The company was very popular and many records indicate that Shakespeare had works published and sold as popular literature. Early in his career Shakespeare was successful in attracting the attention of Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton, to whom he dedicated his first and second published poems: 'Venus and Adonis' (1593) and 'The Rape of Lucrece' (1594).
by this time he already had a number of plays produced. On September 20, 1592 the edition of the Stationer’s Register read the following regarding William Shakespeare by Robert Greene, also a London playwright “…There is an upstart Crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his Tiger’s heart wrapped in Player’s hide, supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of you: and being an absolute Johannes factotum, is in his own conceit the only Shake-scene in a country.” Scholars differ on the message of this criticism, but most agree that it was Greene's way of saying Shakespeare was reaching above his rank by trying to match better known and more educated playwrights in London at the time.
By the early 1590's, documents show William Shakespeare was a managing partner in the Lord Chamberlain's Men- an acting company in London. The company was very popular and many records indicate that Shakespeare had works published and sold as popular literature. Early in his career Shakespeare was successful in attracting the attention of Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton, to whom he dedicated his first and second published poems: 'Venus and Adonis' (1593) and 'The Rape of Lucrece' (1594).
Establishing himself:
By 1597, 15 of the 37 plays written by William Shakespeare were published. Civil records show that during this time he purchased the second largest house in Stratford for his family. It was a four day ride by horse from Stratford to London, so it is believed that Shakespeare spent most of his time in the city writing and acting and came home once a year when theatres in the city were closed. By 1599, William Shakespeare was quite successful and he and his business partners built their own theatre on the south bank of the Thames River, known as the Globe Theatre.
death:
Many scholars and historians believe that Shakespeare died on his birthday, April 23, 1616. Although, some scholars believe this is a myth as Church records show that his corpse was actually taken to Trinity Church on April 5, 1616. In his will he left the majority of his possessions to his eldest daughter, Susanna.. Though entitled to a third of his estate, little seems to have gone to his wife, Anne. This has drawn some speculation that she had fallen out of his favour, or that the couple was no longer close. However, there is little evidence the two had a difficult or love-less marriage.
By Tijana Chetcuti- 9B (2013) ©
By Tijana Chetcuti- 9B (2013) ©