An English poet, playwright, and actor, William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564. It is commonly celebrated on 23 April, also considered the date of his death in 1616. Shakespeare was a prolific writer of British theatre during the Elizabethan and Jacobean ages. In addition to his plays, Shakespeare also wrote poems that are still popular today. Shakespeare's plays are his most enduring legacy.
Shakespeare's Family Life:
Records that survive to link to William Shakespeare's family contribute to an understanding of the context of Shakespeare's early life and the lives of his family members. John Shakespeare married Mary Arden, and together they had eight children. The couple lost two daughters as infants, so William became the eldest of their children. He served as a civic figure in Stratford while working as a glove-maker. Since he was of high social standing, he was more likely to have sent his children, including William, to a local grammar school.
His family lived in the house on Henley Street, where Shakespeare lived until he was eighteen. When Shakespeare was eighteen, he married Anne Hathway, who was twenty-six. It was a rushed wedding due to Anne's pregnancy. They had three children together. Susanna, the first daughter, was born six months after the marriage and was followed by Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died at the age of eleven.
Shakespeare in London:
When did Shakespeare begin his professional career in London? The intervening years are considered a mystery, with the twins of Shakespeare, baptized in 1585 and his reputation established in London by 1592. Scholars generally refer to these years as "The Lost Years" because they are considered a mystery.
In his time in London, Shakespeare published his first published works, two long poems entitled Venus and Adonis (1593) and 'The Rape of Lucrece' (1594). Shakespeare also became a founding member of The Lord Chamberlain's Men, a company of actors. He was a regular dramatist for the company for over twenty years, producing two plays annually.
The company continued under the patronage of King James first for the remainder of his career when it became known as The King's Men. During his time with the company, Shakespeare wrote many famous tragedies, such as King Lear and Macbeth, along with great romances, including The Winter's Tale and The Tempest.
Shakespeare's Works
The works of Shakespeare include 38 plays, two narrative poems, 154 sonnets, and other poems. Shakespeare's original manuscripts do not exist today. A group of actors from Shakespeare's company collected about half of the works for publication after his death, preserving them for future generations. These writings were collected for publication after Shakespeare's death, which resulted in the First Folio (folio refers to the size of the paper used). There were 36 plays in the collection but no poetry.
The legacy of Shakespeare is as broad as his works; his plays have spawned countless adaptations across a wide range of genres and cultures. His plays have remained in demand on stage and in film for centuries. Shakespeare's plays, sonnets, and other poems are included in The Complete Works of Shakespeare, published in several iterations. A leading literary figure in English literature, Shakespeare continues to be one of the most influential figures in the English language today.
The plays of Shakespeare continue to be vital because they depict situations and people we recognize today. The emotional reality of his characters transcends time. His plays represent common experiences, ranging from family disputes to love affairs to war. His plays are performed worldwide, demonstrating the universal appeal of his storytelling.
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