Summary:
A brief biography of the life of William Shakespeare.
The Life of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born in a town called Stratford -upon-Avon. His father was a glove maker, who was also chamberlain and a bailiff. William's mother, Mary Arden, came from family that was known to be Catholic. No one knows if Shakespeare was a Catholic. Since baptismal records show that he was baptized April 26, 1564, we assume that he was born on April 23, 1564. He was one of eight children, three however died.
Shakespeare's mother had lost three children before him. She was determined to keep herself in the highest health. Mary had a lot to be afraid of, because an epidemic of plague had just started to cover the country. Shakespeare's parents were especially loved during this time, as they would often donate money to the people that got the plague. William and five other children were born into the household. William being the oldest. All of the children lived to there maturity, except the little girl Anne. She died when she was eight.
For 2 years, William was the only child. His parents would often pamper, and spoil him. They were so happy that there firstborn child was a boy. This meant that the Shakespeare property would go to him, instead of a buyer. William was often the "talk of the town," as he looked so much like his mother. Many people said he had her eyes, and ears, and hair.
William was one of those boys who liked to be adventureus. He would often explore the countryside, and swim to the bottom of the streem. Many boys areound Williams age loved to spend there days, wading and swimming with the fish. William would be seen taking his siblings to the lake to play for an hour or two. Many people said this is what gave him his insight, and almost perfect match to human nature.
In 1582, whe William was eighteen, he married Anee Hathaway. She was twenty-six. Almost six months after they were married, Anne gave birth to there first child, a girl, named Susanna. Willaim was very happy that he had a daughter. Willaim had Hamnet and Judith. They were twins. William was very happy that he had a son. Sadly, Hamnte died at age 11.
No one knows what William did between the years of 1585-1592. Some people say he left Stratford and went to a private hunting lodge. Others insist they saw him running the local fruit stand. It is estimated that William moved to London, and advertised him self as an acor/playwright in 1588. William also had to survive the attack of Robert Greene, a London playwright, in 1592: ."..an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his Tiger's heart wrapped in a player's hide, supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best of you: and being an absolute Johannes fac totum, is in his own conceit the only Shake-scene in a country."
Many people didn't believe this quote. They said that Shakespear was a briliant man. This made the royality and nobles interested. By 1594, he was not only acting and writing for the Lord Chamberlain's Men. He was also a managing partner in the operation as well. A man named Will Kempe a comedian and Richard Burbage a leading tragic actor of the day, William was ready to take on London with his plays. And he succeeded. Almost every show sold out.
Unfortunatly terror struck London. The Plague was going around, and the Noble's were forced to shut down the theater. This caused panic, as the people grew accustomed to having the theater open weekly. William and his men decided to take all there money, and build a new theater. This theater would be called "The Globe." Plans were being processed, and William was happy. The new theater was going to be across the river, right across from London Proper.
Williams success was obvious. Although he was the "talk of the town" William wasn't considdered one who had a lot of money. He did however have enough money to retire and by his own house in 1611.
William Shakespeare wrote his will in 1611, leaving his posessions to his daughter Susanna. he left £300 to Judith, and his "my second best bed" to his wife Anne. William Shakespeare allegedly died on his his birthday, April 23, 1616. William was written in at Holy Trinity in Stratford on April 25.
In 1623, two working companions of Shakespeare from the Lord Chamberlain's Men, John Heminges and Henry Condell, printed the "First Folio" it was a book of the Collected Works of William. The First Folio contained Shakespeare's sonnets.
William wrote a total of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and 2 epic narrative poems
This is the complete article, containing 793 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page).
