Fun Facts About Shakespeare | William Shakespeare for Kids | Twinkl Kids TV

Summary

Dive into the fascinating world of William Shakespeare, the legendary playwright, poet, and actor. Discover intriguing facts about his family, including the surprising fact that he has no direct descendants today, and learn about his London life, acting roles, and fashionable choices like wearing a gold earring. Beyond his artistic genius, Shakespeare was a savvy businessman with valuable property holdings in Stratford-upon-Avon. Explore his prolific output of around 37 plays and over 150 poems, his burial at Holy Trinity Church, and the likelihood that he died on his birthday. Shakespeare was not just a writer—he was an actor, entrepreneur, family man, and trendsetter.

Takeaways

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Shakespeare was the third of eight children, with only his sister Joan outliving him by 30 years.
• 👶 He had one grandchild, Elizabeth, who did not have children, leaving no direct descendants alive today.
• 🏙 The first record of Shakespeare living in London dates back to 1596, in Bishop's Gate.
• 🎭 Shakespeare not only wrote plays but also acted in them, including roles like the ghost in Hamlet and Adam in As You Like It.
• 💎 Shakespeare wore a gold earring, a fashionable symbol of creatives and Bohemians in the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods.
• 💼 Besides being a playwright and poet, Shakespeare was a savvy businessman with a substantial property portfolio in Stratford-upon-Avon.
• 🕯 Shakespeare was buried on April 25, 1616, likely just two days after dying on his birthday, April 23, 1616.
• ✍️ He is believed to have written around 37 plays and over 150 poems, though exact numbers and collaborations remain uncertain.
• ⛪ Shakespeare was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon despite being a self-declared Catholic, which was unusual at the time.
• 🌟 Shakespeare was more than a writer—he was an actor, family man, businessman, entrepreneur, and trendsetter.

Q & A

How many siblings did William Shakespeare have?

Shakespeare had a total of eight siblings, including both brothers and sisters. His surviving siblings were Joan, Margaret, Anne, Gilbert, Richard, and Edmund.

Who was the only sibling of Shakespeare to outlive him?

Shakespeare's sister, Joan, was the only sibling who outlived him. She lived for 30 years after his death.

How many grandchildren did Shakespeare have, and what happened to them?

Shakespeare had only one grandchild, a girl named Elizabeth. However, she did not have any children, meaning there are no direct descendants of Shakespeare alive today.

Where was the first record of Shakespeare living in London?

The first record of Shakespeare living in London dates back to 1596, and it was in the Bishop's Gate area.

Did Shakespeare only write plays?

No, Shakespeare was not just a playwright. He also acted in his own plays and others. Notably, he played the ghost in 'Hamlet' and Adam in 'As You Like It'.

What was significant about Shakespeare's gold earring?

Shakespeare's gold earring was a fashionable trait associated with creatives and Bohemians during the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. It symbolized his trendiness and creative spirit.

Was Shakespeare involved in any businesses outside of writing and acting?

Yes, Shakespeare was a savvy businessman. He had a substantial property portfolio in Stratford-upon-Avon, which made him wealthy during his lifetime and contributed to his local fame.

When did Shakespeare die and what is the significance of the date?

Shakespeare died at the age of 52, on April 23rd, 1616. He was buried two days later, and it is believed he died on his birthday, as it was common to be buried shortly after death at that time.

How many plays and poems did Shakespeare write?

Shakespeare is thought to have written around 37 plays and over 150 poems. However, the exact number of his works and whether he collaborated with others is uncertain.

Where is Shakespeare buried, and what is notable about the location?

Shakespeare is buried at the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he was born and raised. His burial at this location is significant because he was a self-declared Catholic at a time when Catholicism was forbidden in England.