William Shakespeare was born in the year 1564, a few days before April 26, the date of his baptism. Most prefer to assign his date of birth as April 23, as this is St. George's day, a quite suitable day for the birth of an author such as he. The son of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon, and was baptized there as well. His father was a tanner, and he set up shop on Henley Street, eventually becoming a moneylender as well. His mother hailed from one of the noblest families of Warwickshire. William was one of eight siblings, but due to the overwhelming presence of the plague, or Black Death, three perished as children. Only two girls preceded William's birth, and both died as infants of the plague. Gilbert, who was born two years after William, followed in John Shakespeare's trade as businessman and tanner. Joan, who was also the name of the Shakespeare's first daughter, was born in 1569. Joan was unable to read or write, and she stayed close to her homestead and family until she married William Hart, a hatter in the village. The sixth member of the Shakespeare family, Anne, was born in 1571, but she lived only seven years, when she also fell to the Black Death. Richard was born in 1574, when William was 10 years old. Little is known of Richard Shakespeare, and, as the family's finances were declining at such a rate that the children were taken from school to help with the business, Richard may not have received much of an education. Therefore, he may not have known even how to read or write. Edmund Shakespeare, born in 1850, idolized his older brother William, and he acted in many of his plays, traveling with him and spending much time with him. Unfortunately he died young, at age 27, perhaps also from the plague.
Most boys in the Elizabethan period were sent to what was known as "petty" school when they were very young, between the ages of 5 and 7, and this was to introduce them to basic etiquette more than anything else. Grammar school would have begun soon after, and most likely included the study of Latin and the works of classical authors such as Virgil, Ovid, and Cicero. Most of the teachers were, at that time, Catholic, and he would have continued those studies, which probably were begun in the petty school catechism classes. Education was difficult, with long hours of study as well as examinations, and sometimes harsh punishment. In addition, the students were expected to perform in Greek and Latin classical drama. It is perhaps here that William Shakespeare began his love of the stage. Many boys may have continued on to University after age 14 to study History, Music, Geometry, the Arts, or another field. However, William Shakespeare and his brothers were withdrawn from school at that time due to family financial problems.
On November 28, 1582, 18-year-old William Shakespeare married a pregnant 26-year-old Anne Hathaway. Susanna, their first child was born May 26, 1583; twins Hamnet and Judith followed in 1585. Unfortunately, Hamnet died during childhood at 11 years old. Little is known of Shakespeare between the years of 1585 and 1592, and many scholars refer to these times as "the Lost Years" of Shakespeare's life. He was next heard of in London in 1592, and by 1594 had established himself as a promising actor, as well as a playwright. At that time he was writing and acting for a troupe called "Lord Chamberlain's Men" and later "The Kings' Men" after James I ascended the throne in 1603. He was also, however, a partner of Will Kempe's and Richard Burbage's also well known in their own right.
In 1599 the Chamberlain’s Men built the new Globe Theatre, and Shakespeare was one of the partners. The excellent entourage of actors and playwrights became known the world over for their excellence of stage. Most of the Shakespeare's plays were never published in any other form then pamphlet or as script to be done on stage at the Globe Theatre during his time. The plays were preserved after his death by two of his friends in the company. John Hemings and Henry Connell, in order to keep his memory alive. Were it not for them, we may not have Shakespeare's plays today. During his time he also wrote a multitude of sonnets and poetry, and he amassed quite a collection of writings.
William Shakespeare died in April 1616, and the date most quoted is that of April 23, the date of his birth, though the exact date is not known. He was buried on April 25 in the cemetery of Holy Trinity Church.
-All's Well That Ends Well
-As You Like It
-The Comedy of Errors
-Love's Labour's Lost
-Measure for Measure
-The Merchant of Venice
-The Merry Wives of Windsor
-A Midsummer Night's Dream
-Much Ado About Nothing
-Pericles, Prince of Tyre
-The Taming of the Shrew
-The Tempest
-Twelfth Night
-The Two Gentlemen of Verona
-The Two Noble Kinsmen
-The Winter's Tale
Tragedies
-Romeo and Juliet
-Coriolanus
-Titus Andronicus
-Timon of Athens
-Julius Caesar
-Macbeth
-Hamlet
-Troilus and Cressida
-King Lear
-Othello
-Antony and Cleopatra
-Cymbeline
Histories
-King John
-Richard II
-Henry IV, part 1
-Henry IV, part 2
-Henry V
-Henry VI, part 1
-Henry VI, part 2
-Henry VI, part 3
-Richard III
-Henry VIII
Poems
-Shakespeare's Sonnets
-Venus and Adonis
-The Rape of Lucrece
-The Passionate Pilgrim