Very little is actually known about the life of
William Shakespeare. Many regard this as a great mystery. The truth is that this is
typical of this period in time. The only clear records of Shakespeare�s existence
(apart from the plays and poems) lie in a few Church and legal documents. It is from these
that we must create a brief
biography.
1559 - Elizabeth crowned queen
of England; the literature of this period, named after her, is referred to as Elizabethan.
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England on April 23, 1564. Even this date, however, is the subject of argument. What we know to be a fact is that Shakespeare was babtized in the Stratford church on April 26, 1564 � as it was common procedure to babtize babies three days after birth, it is commonly deduced and accepted that the writer was born on April 23. (The building, today known as "The Birthplace" is pictured above.)
Shakespeare�s father, John Shakespeare, was known to be a wealthy merchant and glover. Shakespeare�s mother, Mary Arden, also came from a relatively wealthy family. Shakespeare�s parents are believed to have married in 1557. They had, it is commonly believed, eight children, William being the third eldest and the first boy.
It would appear that the young William Shakespeare attended the highly-regarded local Stratford Grammar School, where he is thought to have studied the Classics, particularly Latin and Greek. No other records exist from this period.
The next clear documentation of the life of Shakespeare dates to November, 1582, when, at the age of 18, he married the 26 year-old (and pregnant), Ann Hathaway. The couple�s first child, Susanna, was baptized on May 26, 1583. On February 22, 1585, the twins, Hamnet and Judith were baptized.
From 1585-1592 are commonly referred to as "The Lost Years" or "The Missing Years" in the life of Shakespeare. Next to nothing is known about his activities or whereabouts during this period. There is a popular theory that he was forced to leave Stratford, having got in trouble with the law for stealing deer, but this is largely unsubstantiated. What actually occurred during these years has fascinated many. It is popularly suggested that a travelling theatre group - The Queen's Players - who visited Stratford in 1585, may have interested Shakespeare so much that he joined and left with them.� This would explain a lot. Another, more fanciful suggestion, is that Shakespeare began his theatre work - having run away to London to escape the law - by looking after the horses of theatre-going gentlemen. Whatever the answer to this "mystery", by the time Shakespeare "reappears" at the age of 28, he has become a gifted writer and noted London resident.
1590-1593: although we are not certain, it is believed that Shakespeare wrote the following plays during this period: Love's Labour Lost, The Comedy of Errors, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Romeo and Juliet (1591?) and Richard III (among others).
On April 18, 1593, the registration of the publication of Shakespeare's first poem, Venus and Adonis, is documented. This dramatic, long, and passionate poem was dedicated to the Earl of Southampton. Records similarly exist for the publication of the poem, The Rape of Lucrece in May 1594. From this period on, records also exist which reveal William Shakespeare to be an active member of a travelling theatre group known as The Lord Chamberlain's Men. Shakespeare very quickly established himself as a tremendously talented playwright and occasional actor. Several records suggest, for instance, that one of his first acting roles was that of the ghost of Hamlet's father in his own play.
1594-1600: although we are not certain, it is
believed that Shakespeare wrote the following plays during this period: A Midsummer
Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew, As You Like It and Twelfth
Night (among others).
August 11, 1596, Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, is buried, aged 11. The tragic themes in Shakespeare's work have been linked to this occurrence, as has the title of one of his most famous tragedies, Hamlet.
May 4, 1597, the now wealthy Shakespeare buys a grand home, New Place, in his hometown of Stratford.
1599 - The Globe Theatre is built. This becomes home to Shakespeare and his plays. His greatest works were performed here. He eventually became a shareholder (joint owner) of this theatre.
May 19, 1602, The Lord Chamberlain's Men become known as The King's Men.
1602-1608: although we are not certain, it is believed that Shakespeare wrote the following plays during this period: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth and Anthony and Cleopatra. These plays include his greatest tragedies.
March 1603 - Queen Elizabeth dies, having reigned for 44 years. King James I is crowned king of England - this is known as the Jacobean Age. Ironically, although Shakespeare is known as an Elizabethan writer, some of his greatest plays were written during the reign of King James, a noted lover and supporter of the arts.
1608 - Shakespeare became a seventh-part owner of The Blackfriar's Theatre.
1609 - Shakespeare's 154 sonnets were published. This should not - as is the case nowadays - be taken to mean that these poems were written at this time, or that Shakespeare was even involved in their publication.
1611, aged 47, Shakespeare retired to Stratford. His work as: (a) an actor; (b) a theatre owner; (c) a playwright and (d) a poet, had obviously made him quite a wealthy man, judging by his property investments.
1613 -
The Tempest was
probably written this year.� Although many critics regard The Winter's Tale
as Shakespeare's final play, The Tempest, with it's story of a creative
wizard who decides to burn his books and give up creating, seems very likely to
have been the last play written by the Bard. In this same year the Globe Theatre
burns to the ground during a performance. The theatre is subsequently rebuilt.
March 1616 - Shakespeare signed his will (signature pictured on right).� This document remains in its entirety. Curiously, he leaves his wife his "second best bed", divides his property and money amongst his family, but leaves no mention or reference to any books or writings.
April 23, 1616 - his birthday, if these records are accurate - William Shakespeare died in Stratford-on-Avon, aged 52.
1623 - the first folio or collection of his plays was published.