William Shakespeare Biography

William Shakespeare Biography

Learn about the biography of William Shakespeare, playwright for the English theatre during the Renaissance at the Globe Theatre of London

Biography of William Shakespeare

Biography of William Shakespeare

Who is William Shakespeare ? 

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor (baptized on April 26, 1564; died on April 23, 1616). He is largely recognized as the greatest English-language author and the greatest playwright in history. He is frequently referred to as the “Bard of Avon” and England’s national poet (or simply “the Bard”). A total of 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three lengthy narrative poems, and a few additional verses, some of whose authorship is disputed, make up his extant works, including collaborations. His plays are produced more frequently than those of any other playwright since they have been translated into every significant living language. He is still regarded as the most significant writer in the English language, and scholars continue to analyze and reinterpret his writings.

The Genesis of Shakespeare

The early years of William Shakespeare are largely unknown. Around 100 miles northwest of London, in the English city of Stratford-upon-Avon, he was born in 1564. William’s father was a prosperous leather trader who had previously served in the government as an alderman. He was the third of six children, with three younger brothers and two elder sisters.

William grew raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he shared a home on Henley Street with his large family. He attended the neighborhood grammar school, where he studied Roman, Greek, and poetry as well as history.

William married Anne Hathaway when he was eighteen years old. William and Anne were eight years apart in age. They soon had twins named Hamnet and Judith in addition to a daughter named Susanna.

London and the Lost Years

There are no records of William’s life for the next several years after he and Anne had the twins. These years are sometimes referred to as the “lost years” by historians. Many rumors and suspicions surround William’s activities around this time. Nonetheless, he and his family finally found themselves in London, where William was employed by a theater.

Lord Chamberlain’s Men

William was a member of the theater group Lord Chamberlain’s Men. During this time, a group of actors in England collaborated to stage plays. A company normally had ten actors, including a main actor, supporting players, and comedic performers. While women were not permitted to act, young boys would frequently take on the roles of ladies.

Early Plays

For the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, Shakespeare wrote plays. He also had a career as an actress. His plays quickly gained a large following in London, and the Lord Chamberlain’s Men swiftly rose to prominence as one of the city’s top acting ensembles. The Taming of the Shrew, Richard III, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream are a few of Shakespeare’s early works.

The Theater Shuts Down

The “Theatre,” a theater, hosted these early productions. The property belonged to Giles Allen, while the theater belonged to Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Allen made the decision to demolish the Theatre in 1597. He barricaded it and wouldn’t allow the actors to perform. They attempted to renegotiate the land lease, but Allen once more refused.

A number of the company’s members demolished the Playhouse one evening and transferred the wood to a different location across the Thames River. The Globe Theatre, a new theater, was constructed there.

The Globe Theatre

In London, The Globe Theatre became the place to be. Its stage, which had a painted ceiling, columns, and stage wall, could hold up to 3,000 spectators. In order to create special effects noises for the plays, they used professionally trained musicians. They even had a blank-firing cannon.

Later Plays

Shakespeare wrote many of his best plays in the latter half of his career. They included Macbeth, King Lear, Othello, and Hamlet. Shakespeare amassed fortune as a result of his theatrical popularity as well as his purchases of property and the Globe. For his family, he bought a sizable house in Stratford called New Place.

Poetry

Shakespeare also rose to fame as a poet. Venus and Adonis was one of his most well-known poems at the time. He also produced sonnet-style poetry. Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets were collected in a book that appeared in 1609.

Death

William retired to his Stratford residence, where he passed away on his 52nd birthday.

Legacy

Shakespeare is often regarded as the finest English-language author. He is also among the most powerful. He is credited with adding almost 3,000 words to the English language through his writings. In addition, his writings are cited second only to the Bible in terms of frequency.

Facts about William Shakespeare

• Richard Burbage was the main character and the star of many of Shakespeare’s plays.
• In 1613, the original Globe Theatre was destroyed by fire. After being reconstructed in 1614, it was shut down in 1642.
• Actor Sam Wanamaker from the United States constructed a contemporary replica of the Globe in London. It debuted that year.
• In his lifetime, he produced 37 plays, averaging 1.5 plays per year. Some academics believe that he produced roughly 20 additional plays, which would bring the total to 57!
• Both King James I and Queen Elizabeth I witnessed performances of his plays.
• You can write “I am a weakish speller” using the letters from “William Shakespeare.”

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