William Shakespeare, 1564 - 1616 Although there are many myths and mysteries surrounding William Shakespeare, a great deal is actually known about his life. He was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, son of John Shakespeare, a prosperous merchant and local politician and Mary Arden, who had the wealth to send their oldest son to Stratford Grammar School. At 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, the 27-year-old daughter of a local farmer, and they had their first daughter six months later. He probably developed an interest in theatre by watching plays performed by traveling players in Stratford while still in his youth. Some time before 1592, he left his family to take up residence in London, where he began acting and writing plays and poetry. By 1594 Shakespeare had become a member and part owner of an acting company called The Lord Chamberlain's Men, where he soon became the company's principal playwright. His plays enjoyed great popularity and high critical acclaim in the newly built Globe Theatre. It was through his popularity that the troupe gained the attention of the new king, James I, who appointed them the King's Players in 1603. Before retiring to Stratford in 1613, after the Globe burned down, he wrote more than three dozen plays (that we are sure of) and more than 150 sonnets. He was celebrated by Ben Jonson, one of the leading playwrights of the day, as a writer who would be "not for an age, but for all time," a prediction that has proved to be true. Today, Shakespeare towers over all other English writers and has few rivals in any language. His genius and creativity continue to astound scholars, and his plays continue to delight audiences. Many have served as the basis for operas, ballets, musical compositions, and films. While Jonson and other writers labored over their plays, Shakespeare seems to have had the ability to turn out work of exceptionally high caliber at an amazing speed. At the height of his career, he wrote an average of two plays a year as well as dozens of poems, songs, and possibly even verses for tombstones and heraldic shields, all while he continued to act in the plays performed by the Lord Chamberlain's Men. This staggering output is even more impressive when one considers its variety. Except for the English history plays, he never wrote the same kind of play twice. He seems to have had a good deal of fun in trying his hand at every kind of play. Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets, all published on 1609, most of which were dedicated to his patron Henry Wriothsley, The Earl of Southhampton. He also wrote 13 comedies, 13 histories, 6 tragedies, and 4 tragecomedies. He died at Stratford-upon-Avon April 23, 1616, and was buried two days later on the grounds of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. His cause of death was unknown, but it is surmised that he knew he was dying.
William Shakespeare, born in Stratford-Upon-Avon in 1564, is one of the most celebrated and enigmatic figures in literary history. While there are still myths and mysteries surrounding his life, much is known about the man whose works have left an indelible mark on the world of literature.
As the son of a prosperous merchant and local politician, Shakespeare received a solid education at Stratford Grammar School, thanks to his family's wealth. At the young age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, and they welcomed their first daughter six months later. It was during his youth in Stratford that Shakespeare likely developed an interest in theatre, watching plays performed by traveling players.
Around 1592, Shakespeare left his family to pursue a career in London, where he began acting and writing plays and poetry. His talents quickly gained recognition, and by 1594, he became a member and part owner of The Lord Chamberlain's Men, a prominent acting company. He soon emerged as the principal playwright for the company, and his plays achieved both popularity and critical acclaim in the newly-built Globe Theatre.
Shakespeare's fame and success caught the attention of King James I, who appointed the company as the King's Players in 1603. Throughout his prolific career, Shakespeare wrote more than three dozen plays and over 150 sonnets. His works covered a remarkable range of genres, from comedies and histories to tragedies and tragecomedies.
Renowned playwright Ben Jonson aptly predicted that Shakespeare's literary legacy would transcend his era, proclaiming him as a writer not for an age, but for all time.
This prophecy has undoubtedly come true, as Shakespeare towers over all other English writers and few rivals in any language. His genius and creativity continue to astound scholars, and his plays delight audiences worldwide.
What is perhaps most astonishing is Shakespeare's ability to produce an astounding number of works of exceptional quality at a remarkable speed. He wrote an average of two plays per year, in addition to poems, songs, and possibly even verses for tombstones and heraldic shields. Despite this incredible output, each play displayed a unique and distinct style, showcasing Shakespeare's diverse talents and remarkable versatility.
Shakespeare's sonnets, published in 1609, remain a poetic masterpiece, with many dedicated to his patron Henry Wriothsley, the Earl of Southampton. His plays have served as the inspiration for countless adaptations, from operas and ballets to films and musical compositions.
On April 23, 1616, William Shakespeare passed away in Stratford-Upon-Avon, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy. His cause of death remains uncertain, but it is speculated that he may have been aware of his impending demise. Although he is no longer with us, his words and works continue to resonate through the ages, reminding us of the timeless genius of the Bard of Avon.
