William Shakespeare was a renowned English poet, playwright, and actor.
He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. Shakespeare is often called England's national poet and the Bard of Avon.
Early years
He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564. His parents, John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, lost two daughters as infants. William became their eldest child. They had eight children in total.
His father worked as a glove-maker, but he also became an important figure in the town of Stratford by fulfilling civic positions. His mother Mary was the daughter of a landowner. William Shakespeare attended the local grammar school.
At the age of 18, in November 1582, he married Anne Hathaway, daughter of a local farmer. She was 26. They had three children, Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet, the only son of William Shakespeare, died at the age of 11.
Life in London
Later Shakespeare moved to London. He lived and worked in this city for many years. His troupe was among the leading playing companies in London.
In 1599 a theatre was built on the south bank of the River Thames. It was named the Globe. This was the theatre where Shakespeare's company performed. Work at the theatre made Shakespeare a wealthy person. He was not only a playwright, he also took part in theatrical performances.
During his time in the company Shakespeare wrote many of his most famous tragedies, such as King Lear and Macbeth, as well as great romances, like The Winter’s Tale and The Tempest.
Last years
Biographers believe that Shakespeare spent his last years in Stratford. He died on 23 April 1616, at the age of 52. The exact cause of Shakespeare's death is unknown.
Shakespeare’s works
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, Hamlet, Macbeth are widely regarded as masterpieces of world literature. Apart from that he wrote 154 sonnets.
William Shakespeare greatly influenced theatre, literature, cinema, and the English language. He continues to be one of the most important literary figures of the English language.
William Shakespeare was a renowned English poet, playwright, and actor.
He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. Shakespeare is often called England's national poet and the Bard of Avon.
Early years
He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564. His parents, John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, lost two daughters as infants. William became their eldest child. They had eight children in total.
His father worked as a glove-maker, but he also became an important figure in the town of Stratford by fulfilling civic positions. His mother Mary was the daughter of a landowner. William Shakespeare attended the local grammar school.
At the age of 18, in November 1582, he married Anne Hathaway, daughter of a local farmer. She was 26. They had three children, Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet, the only son of William Shakespeare, died at the age of 11.
Life in London
Later Shakespeare moved to London. He lived and worked in this city for many years. His troupe was among the leading playing companies in London.
In 1599 a theatre was built on the south bank of the River Thames. It was named the Globe. This was the theatre where Shakespeare's company performed. Work at the theatre made Shakespeare a wealthy person. He was not only a playwright, he also took part in theatrical performances.
During his time in the company Shakespeare wrote many of his most famous tragedies, such as King Lear and Macbeth, as well as great romances, like The Winter’s Tale and The Tempest.
Last years
Biographers believe that Shakespeare spent his last years in Stratford. He died on 23 April 1616, at the age of 52. The exact cause of Shakespeare's death is unknown.
Shakespeare’s works
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, Hamlet, Macbeth are widely regarded as masterpieces of world literature. Apart from that he wrote 154 sonnets.
William Shakespeare greatly influenced theatre, literature, cinema, and the English language. He continues to be one of the most important literary figures of the English language.