William Shakespeare - A Biography
Name: William Shakespeare
Born: April 23, 1564 (baptized April 26), Stratford-upon-Avon, England
Died: April 23, 1616, Stratford-upon-Avon, England
Occupation: Playwright, Poet, Actor
Era: English Renaissance / Elizabethan and Jacobean periods
Early Life
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, a market town in Warwickshire, England. He
was the third of eight children born to John Shakespeare, a successful glove-maker and alderman,
and Mary Arden, a daughter of the gentry. William likely attended the King's New School, where he
received a classical education in Latin, literature, and rhetoric.
Marriage and Family
At 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, who was eight years his senior. They had three
children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. His son Hamnet died at the age of 11.
Career in London
By the early 1590s, Shakespeare had moved to London and began his career as an actor and
playwright. He became a shareholder in the acting company The Lord Chamberlain's Men, later
known as The King's Men. His plays were performed at the Globe Theatre, which he helped build.
Major Works
Shakespeare wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and several narrative poems. His works are typically
Page 1
William Shakespeare - A Biography
divided into three categories:
- Tragedies: Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet
- Comedies: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing
- Histories: Henry IV, Henry V, Richard III
Style and Legacy
Shakespeare's writing is known for its rich language, complex characters, and timeless themes such
as love, power, jealousy, betrayal, and the human condition. His works have been translated into
every major language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
Later Life and Death
Shakespeare retired to Stratford around 1613 and lived a quiet life until his death in 1616. He was
buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. His epitaph famously includes a curse
against moving his bones.
Legacy
Often called the "Bard of Avon," Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the
English language. His influence on literature, theater, and the English language is unmatched.
Words and phrases he coined are still in use today.
Page 2