About Shakespeare

The works of William Shakespeare have transcended language, time, and continental barriers. His plays are analyzed and performed all over the world; his sonnets are taught in classes of almost every grade level; and his memorable characters have been the inspiration for countless works of visual, literary, and performing arts.

Little is known about Shakespeare's life; however, it is certain that he dedicated much of his life to his art, having written an impressive body of work that includes 37 plays and 154 sonnets. In fact, his works—along with legal and church documents-—are the only primary sources of information in existence that can help piece together the life of one of the greatest writers of all time.

William Shakespeare was supposedly born on April 23, 1564, the third of eight children. According to a parish register, he was baptized on April 26th at the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England. His father, John Shakespeare, was a burgess of the borough who later became bailiff, and his mother, Mary Arden, was the heiress to land that had been passed down for many generations.

Most likely John and Mary Arden Shakespeare sent their son to grammar school in Stratford-upon-Avon, although William did not continue coursework at the university level. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who was at least 8 years his elder; and in 1583, their first child Susanna was born. Two years later, twins Hamnet and Judith Shakespeare were born. Hamnet died at the age of 11.

Between 1585 and 1592, no evidence exists that could document Shakespeare's life during this time, so it is uncertain when and how he began his career as a writer. There is evidence that Shakespeare was in London by the early 1590's, and during this time, he published his first poems, "Venus and Adonis" and "The Rape of Lucrece." He soon joined Lord Chamberlain's Men, a company of players that included the most famous actor of the day, Richard Burbage. By 1597, it appears that Shakespeare had achieved some success, as evidenced by his purchase of a large house in Stratford.

Performing plays written by the foremost writer of that time in the newly built Globe Theatre, Lord Chamberlain's Men prospered. Shakespeare's plays greatly impressed Queen Elizabeth I and the recently accessioned King James, so in 1603, the players changed their name to the King's Men. Shakespeare's success as a writer can be garnered from the fact that his plays were published in octavo editions called "penny-copies," and he was able to retire to his Stratford home in 1611.

Shakespeare was not only a great writer, but an amicable person. He was considered a good friend to his theatre colleagues, two of whom had collected Shakespeare's plays "only to keep the memory of so worthy a friend and fellow alive as was our Shakespeare." This quote appears in actors John Heminge and Henry Condell's dedication to the Earl of Pembroke and the Earl of Montgomery in the First Folio edition of Shakespeare's collected works, which included previously unpublished plays and several sonnets.

Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 and was buried at the parish church in Stratford-upon-Avon. Although his gravestone originally did not disclose his identity and instead was inscribed with a 4-line verse, Shakespeare's family and friends requested that a monument be built on the church wall. This monument included a bust of the bard, which was inscribed with an epitaph hearkening Shakespeare's talent to the wisdom of Nestor, the genius of Socrates, and the poetry of Virgil.