WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: POET AND PLAYWRITE
Date of Birth: April 23rd 1564 Date of Baptise: April 26th, 1564 Death; April 23rd, 1616 Origin: Stratford-upon-Avon Period: English Renaissance Shakespeare’s grew up in what was considered a middle class family and was of Anglican descent. Shakespeare was the youngest of three children but unfortunately his two older sisters died at a young age as a result of a plague outburst during their infancy. It is presumed that Shakespeare attended King Edward VI Grammar School in Stratford, however this has not been proven. Shakespeare met wife-to-be Anne Hathaway at the age of 18 and disregarded their eight year age gap and her apparent pregnancy prior to their meeting. Six months into their marriage, Anne gave birth to baby girl Susanna who was baptised May 26, 1583. Two years later, the pair had twins Hamnet and Judith; baptised February 2, 1585. Hamnet, Shakespeare's only son died at the mere age of eleven after contracting the Black Plague, slang for the Bubonic Plague. |
InformationShakespeare is by far the most influential writer of all time despite never acquiring a tertiary education - writing an estimated 38 plays, 154 sonnets and two long narrative poems. Along with this, Shakespeare was also quite the entrepreneur. It's described that he knew his target market so to say, and to address this he played a major role in the opening of the Globe Theatre. Shakespeare began his career writing mostly romantic comedies such as A Midsummer Night's Dream and Much Ado About Nothing, but as his career matured - so did his themes. Come the end of his career he was writing passionate 'problem-plays' including Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Hamlet.
Shakespeare's works have shaped the literatures view and interpret plays, poems and sonnets. Shakespeare was fond of creating his own words when the ones that existed didn't fit and is estimated to have added an astonishing 1700+ words and phrases to the English language. Shakespeare lived amongst the Elizabethan Era (1558-1603) - seemingly labelled the "Golden Age." During Queen Elizabeth's reign, she attemtped to tone down the intense religious passions which were extremely evident and prominent throughout. Advances in science began to appear whereas advances in technology seemed to lack. These advances were strongly linked with exploration and navigation. Education was believed to begin at home where children were taught porper manners and etiquiette. It was necessary that boys attended grammar school where as girls were often denied access to any forms of education - if any, they were enrolled in petty schools with restriced ciriculums. Social heirachy was strictly adhered to and recognized the nobility of upper classes and the wealthy. Middle and lower class structures were often associated with being uneducated and illterate, often working as maids and servants. The most probable influence on Shakespeare's writing would have been the Elizabethan Renaissance movement.The Renaissance saw the flourishing of art, literature, poetry and music - a time of exploration and admiration. The "Golden Age" marked the end of England being a separate realm as it tied knots with Scotland. Interestingly, the persecution of witches began in 1563 with hundreds being executed. This is a fascinating and vital piece of information as Shakespeare almost always refers to witches or prophecies in his plays, could this be a portrayal of Shakespeare's belief in witches? |