The Life & Times of William Shakespeare

Summary

William Shakespeare, born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, was a pivotal figure in English literature. He left school at a young age, married Anne Hathaway, and had three children. Moving to London before 1590, he became an actor and playwright, creating famous works during a time when the plague closed theaters. He helped establish the Globe Theatre in 1599, where audiences engaged enthusiastically with his plays. Shakespeare wrote comedies, tragedies, and historical pieces, enriching the English language with new words and expressions. He died in 1616, but his timeless stories and characters continue to resonate worldwide.

Takeaways

• 😀 William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
• 😀 His father, John, was a glove maker, and his mother, Mary, was a farmer's daughter.
• 😀 Shakespeare had a total of eight siblings: two older sisters, two younger sisters, and three younger brothers.
• 😀 He likely studied Latin, Greek, and history before leaving school at around 14 or 15.
• 😀 In 1582, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susannah, and twins Judith and Hamlet.
• 😀 Shakespeare moved to London before 1590, where he began his career as an actor and playwright.
• 😀 The Globe Theatre, which he helped build, opened in 1599 and could accommodate 3,000 spectators.
• 😀 During the plague in 1593, when theatres closed, Shakespeare wrote poems known as sonnets.
• 😀 Shakespeare's works include comedies like 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', tragedies like 'Romeo and Juliet', and historical plays such as 'Henry V'.
• 😀 He wrote at least 30 plays and contributed significantly to the English language, creating new words and expressions still in use today.

Q & A

Where was William Shakespeare born?

William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.

What was Shakespeare's father's profession?

Shakespeare's father, John, was a glove maker.

How many siblings did Shakespeare have?

William had two older sisters, two younger sisters, and three younger brothers.

At what age did Shakespeare likely leave school?

Shakespeare probably left school when he was 14 or 15 years old.

Who did Shakespeare marry and how many children did they have?

Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, and they had three children: a daughter named Susannah and twins named Judith and Hamlet.

What significant event occurred in London around 1593?

In 1593, a terrible disease killed thousands of people, leading to the closure of theatres in London.

What type of poetry did Shakespeare write during the theatre closures?

During the theatre closures, Shakespeare wrote poems known as sonnets.

What was the Globe Theatre, and when did it open?

The Globe Theatre was a new theatre that Shakespeare helped build, and it opened in 1599.

What types of plays did Shakespeare write?

Shakespeare wrote comedies, tragedies, and history plays, with notable works including 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Romeo and Juliet.'

What impact did Shakespeare have on the English language?

Shakespeare loved language and invented new words and expressions that are still used today.

When did Shakespeare die, and how old was he?

Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52.

Why are Shakespeare's works still popular today?

Shakespeare's works are still popular today because they feature wonderful stories about interesting people.