About William Shakespeare

I’m sure you are familiar with the name “William Shakespeare”. He is the author of Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and many other fascinating plays that are still widely read, studied, and performed. But did you know that the plague impacted his life? Did you know that he had twins? Did you know that mystery surrounds the “Lost Years” of his life?

Born around April 23rd, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare was the son of John Shakespeare.

Shakespeare probably learned to write with a goose-feather quill and ink at the local school, where he received an education.

When Shakespeare was eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway, who was almost nine years older than him. They had a daughter, Susannah, followed by twins Judith and Hamnet. Unfortunately, Hamnet died at age eleven.

The several years following the birth of the twins are known as the “Lost Years”, because very little is known about Shakespeare’s life during those years. It was probably during the “Lost Years” that Shakespeare began his career as a popular playwright.

The plague caused a lot of problems in Shakespeare’s time. Many people who lived near him died because of it. Even though he was fortunate enough to escape this fate, the plague impacted his career. The plague caused theaters to become less popular as it spread easily in them.

Shakespeare died on April 23rd, 1616. It is very probable that this was his birthday.

Bibliography:

Ben Johnson, “William Shakespeare,” Historic UK, Web, 7th of February 2022. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/William-Shakespeare/

“William Shakespeare Biography,” Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Web, 7th of February 2022. https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/william-shakespeare/william-shakespeare-biography/

“William Shakespeare,” British Library, Web, 7th of February 2022. https://www.bl.uk/people/william-shakespeare