Biography of William Shakespeare for Kids: Famous Writers for Children - FreeSchool

Summary

This video provides an engaging overview of William Shakespeare's life, from his early years in Stratford-upon-Avon to his rise as a renowned playwright in London. It highlights key moments such as his marriage to Anne Hathaway, the tragic loss of his son Hamnet, and his influential works like 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Macbeth.' It also covers his role in the Globe Theatre and his later years. Shakespeare’s legacy as one of the greatest writers in English literature, with 39 plays and 154 sonnets, continues to shape literature and culture worldwide.

Takeaways

• 😀 William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, with his birth traditionally observed on April 23rd.
• 😀 He was the third of eight children, and the first to survive past infancy.
• 😀 Shakespeare likely attended the King's New School near his home for education.
• 😀 At 18, Shakespeare married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway, and they had three children: Susanna, and twins Judith and Hamnet.
• 😀 Tragically, his son Hamnet died at the age of 11, possibly due to the bubonic plague.
• 😀 By the late 1580s, Shakespeare moved to London where he began writing and acting in plays.
• 😀 His plays were being performed in London by 1592, but plague-related theater closures led him to focus on writing poetry during breaks.
• 😀 In 1594, Shakespeare joined the Lord Chamberlain's Men acting troupe, where he both acted and wrote many famous plays.
• 😀 The Globe Theatre was built by the Lord Chamberlain's Men in 1599, providing a home for Shakespeare’s work.
• 😀 After Queen Elizabeth's death in 1603, King James became their patron, renaming the troupe to the King's Men.
• 😀 Shakespeare returned to Stratford around 1610, continuing to write plays like 'The Winter's Tale' and 'The Tempest'.
• 😀 Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.
• 😀 His grave carries a curse against disturbing his remains, with a memorial built in his honor later on.
• 😀 Shakespeare is considered the greatest English-language writer, having introduced 1,700 new words, and his works continue to influence modern literature, film, and theater.

Q & A

What is the exact date of William Shakespeare's birth?

The exact date of William Shakespeare's birth is unknown, but it is traditionally observed on April 23rd.

How many children did William Shakespeare have, and what were their names?

William Shakespeare had three children: an older daughter named Susanna, and twins named Judith and Hamnet.

What tragedy befell Shakespeare's family in 1596?

In 1596, Shakespeare's son Hamnet died at the age of 11, possibly due to the bubonic plague.

What major event in London affected Shakespeare's work in the early 1590s?

The plague spread through London, leading to the closure of theaters. During this time, Shakespeare wrote poetry instead of plays.

Which acting troupe did Shakespeare join in 1594, and what significance did this have for his career?

Shakespeare joined the acting troupe Lord Chamberlain's Men in 1594, where he acted and wrote many of his famous works, greatly increasing his fame.

What notable theater did Shakespeare's acting troupe build in 1599?

In 1599, Shakespeare's troupe, Lord Chamberlain's Men, built the Globe Theater, which became a home for his plays.

What changes occurred in Shakespeare's acting troupe after Queen Elizabeth's death in 1603?

After the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603, King James became the patron of Shakespeare's troupe, which changed its name to the King's Men.

What was the impact of the recurring plague on Shakespeare's work?

The recurring plague in London often forced theaters to close, which disrupted Shakespeare's writing and performances, though he continued writing during these closures.

When did Shakespeare return to his home in Stratford, and what works did he write during this time?

Shakespeare returned to his home in Stratford around 1610, where he wrote plays such as 'The Winter's Tale,' 'The Tempest,' and 'Henry VIII.'

How did William Shakespeare die, and what happened after his death?

William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52, and was buried two days later at Holy Trinity Church. A monument was erected in his memory, and a curse was carved into his grave stone, preventing his remains from being moved.