William Shakespeare (baptised April 26, 1564 – died April 23 (New style: May 3) 1616)
was an English poet and playwright. He wrote about thirty-eight plays, about 154 sonnets,
and a variety of other poems. Already a popular writer in his own lifetime, his work
became increasingly celebrated after his death and has been adulated by numerous
prominent cultural figures through the centuries.[1] Shakespeare now has a reputation as
the greatest writer in the English language, as well as one of the greatest in Western
literature, and the worlds pre-eminent dramatist.[2] In addition, Shakespeare is the most
quoted writer in the literature and history of the English-speaking world, according to the
Oxford English Dictionary.[3] He is often considered the English, or arguably the British,
national poet[4] and is sometimes referred to as the “Bard of Avon” (or simply “The Bard”)
[5] or the “Swan of Avon”.[6]
Shakespeare is believed to have produced most of his work between 1586 and 1616,
although the exact dates and chronology of the plays attributed to him are often uncertain.
He is counted among the very few playwrights who have excelled in both tragedy and
comedy, and his plays combine popular appeal with complex characterisation, poetic
grandeur and philosophical depth.
Shakespeares works have been translated into every major living language, and his plays
are continually performed all around the world. In addition, many quotations and
neologisms from his plays have passed into everyday usage in English and other
languages. Over the years, many people have speculated about Shakespeares life, raising
questions about his sexuality, whether he was secretly Catholic, and debating whether
someone else wrote some or all of his plays and poetry.
Life
Early life
William Shakespeare (also spelled Shakspere, Shaksper, and Shake-speare, due to the fact
that spelling in Elizabethan times was not fixed and absolute[7]) was born in Henley
Street, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, in April 1564, the son of John
Shakespeare, a successful tradesman and alderman from Snitterfield, and of Mary Arden, a
daughter of the gentry. Shakespeares christening record dates to April 26 of that year.
Because christenings were performed within a few days of birth, tradition has settled on
April 23 (May 3 on the Gregorian calendar) as his birthday. This date provides a
convenient symmetry because Shakespeare died on the same day in 1616.
Shakespeare probably attended King Edward VI Grammar School in central Stratford.
While the quality of Elizabethan-era grammar schools was uneven, the school probably
would have provided an intensive education in Latin grammar and literature. It is
presumed that the young Shakespeare attended this school, since as the son of a prominent
town official he was entitled to do so (although this cannot be confirmed because the
schools records have not survived). At the age of eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway,
who was twenty-six, on November 28, 1582 at Temple Grafton, near Stratford. Two
neighbours of Anne posted bond that there were no impediments to the marriage. There
appears to have been some haste in arranging the ceremony, presumably because Anne was
three months pregnant.
Shakespeares signature, from his willAfter his marriage, Shakespeare left few traces in the
historical record until he appeared on the London theatrical scene. Indeed, the late 1580s
are known as Shakespeares “lost years” because no evidence has survived to show exactly
where he was or why he left Stratford for London. On May 26, 1583, Shakespeares first
child, Susanna, was baptised at Stratford. Twin children, a son, Hamnet, and a daughter,
Judith, were baptised on February 2, 1585. Hamnet died in 1596.
London and theatrical career
By 1592 Shakespeare was a playwright in London and had enough of a reputation for
Robert Greene to denounce him as “an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers, that with
his Tygers hart wrapt in a Players hyde, supposes he is as well able to bombast out a
blanke verse as the best of you: and beeing an absolute Johannes factotum, is in his owne
conceit the onely Shake-scene in a countrey.” (The italicised line parodies the phrase, “Oh,
tigers heart wrapped in a womans hide” which Shakespeare wrote in Henry VI, part 3.) By
1598 Shakespeare had moved to the parish of St. Helens, Bishopsgate, and appeared at the
top of a list of actors in Every Man in His Humour written by Ben Jonson.
Soon after this Shakespeare became an actor, writer and finally part-owner of a playing
company, known as The Lord Chamberlains Men the company took its name, like others
of the period, from its aristocratic sponsor, in this case the Lord Chamberlain. The group
became popular enough that after the death of Elizabeth I and the coronation of James I
(1603), the new monarch adopted the company and it became known as the Kings Men.
Various documents recording legal affairs and commercial transactions show that
Shakespeare grew rich enough during his stay in London to buy a property in Blackfriars,
London and own the second-largest house in Stratford, New Place.
Later years
Shakespeares last two plays were written in 1613, after which he appears to have retired to
Stratford. He died on April 23, 1616, at the age of fifty-two. He was married to Anne until
his death and was survived by his two daughters, Susanna and Judith. Susanna married Dr
John Hall, but there are no direct descendants of the poet and playwright alive today.
Shakespeares funerary monument. It was commissioned by his son-in-law and wife in
1623. It is believed to be one of the closest depictions of Shakespeare by people who knew
