SHAKESPEARE'S LIFE

Portrait of William Shakespeare

The date of Shakespeare's birth is still relatively unknown as records of the time are scarce, but historians guess that he was born a few days prior to his baptism on 26th April 1564, in his birth place Stratford-upon-Avon. William Shakespeare lived his life over 400 years ago, but to this day theatre companies around the world are still re imagining his plays. 

Despite being raised in Stratford as well as owning a property and having family there also, his primary place of work was in the capital, London. At the time, London was at the forefront for English theatre, with himself at the top of the writing chain. His popularity was immense for the time, both being a playwright and an actor. Later in his life he owned the second largest house in Stratford.

William was the son to John and Mary Shakespeare. William was the eldest of five siblings. He had three younger brothers, Gilbert, Richard and Edmund as well as two younger sisters, Anne and Joan. Anne dying just age seven. He was the oldest surviving child as Mary's previous two girls did not survive past infancy.  The father of the family, John, was a successful leather worker, making gloves and other items. John became and alderman and eventually the town bailiff. John married a woman by the name of Mary, who was part of the well known Arden family.  

Shakespeare was a student at Stratfords Grammar School at around age 15. He would have studied Latin heavily, which included writing, acting and memorisation of plays. A few years later, in 1582, William left the school and married Anne Hathaway just age 18 despite her being 26 years old and bearing their first child. Anne also grew up in Stratford in the village of Shottery and stayed the rest of her life there. 

in 1585, William and Anne had twins named Judith and Hamnet. Hamnet died just age 11 in 1596. This broke Williams heart, causing him to write many of his famous sonnets dedicated to Hamnet. This is also one of the reasons Shakespeare talked a lot about death and losing children in his work. Actors pursuing a career in theatre had to move to London as it was the only place to find work. His daughters all married, and Shakespeare became a grandfather in 1608, but the family eventually died out.

Shakespeare became a member of the Kings Men, a prosperous theatre group, formerly known as the Lord Chamberlains Men. William benefited both financially and career wise from being in the Kings Men. Shakespeare died on April 26th, 1616 with know cause of his death. However historians theorise that because his brother in law passed away a week earlier, he may have died from infectious diseases.