Overview
- Short biography of William Shakespeare (1564–1616), focusing on life, career, and works.
- Covers origins, family, education, move to London, theatre activities, genres, and legacy.
Early Life and Family
- Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
- Father John: glove maker; mother Mary: farmer’s daughter.
- Siblings: two older sisters, two younger sisters, three younger brothers.
- Likely studied Latin, Greek, and history; left school at about 14–15.
- Married Anne Hathaway at about age 18; children: Susannah (daughter) and twins Judith and Hamlet.
Move To London and Career Start
- Moved to London sometime before 1590.
- London's first theatre opened in 1576; Shakespeare worked there as an actor.
- Transitioned from acting to writing plays.
The Plague and Sonnets
- In 1593, a terrible plague closed theatres and killed thousands.
- During closures, Shakespeare focused on writing poems instead of plays.
- His short poems are called sonnets.
The Globe Theatre
- Helped build the Globe Theatre; it opened in 1599.
- Globe characteristics:
- Round building with capacity for about 3,000 people.
- Some audience stood in front of the stage; others had seats.
- Audiences were interactive: shouted, clapped, booed, and expressed strong reactions.
- Musicians added sound effects; used a cannon for loud bangs.
Acting Conventions
- No women acted on stage; men and boys played all female parts.
Genres and Notable Works
- Comedies with happy endings: example A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Tragedies with sad endings: example Romeo and Juliet.
- History plays about monarchs: example Henry V.
- Wrote approximately 30 plays, possibly more.
Language and Influence
- Loved language; invented new words and expressions still in use today.
- Became rich and famous; owned houses in both London and Stratford.
Death and Legacy
- Died at age 52 on April 23, 1616.
- Plays and poetry were popular 400 years ago and remain widely performed and read today.
- Global admiration due to compelling stories about interesting characters.
Key Terms and Definitions
- Sonnet: A short poem composed by Shakespeare during plague closures.
- Globe Theatre: Round London theatre opened in 1599 with large, vocal audiences.
- Comedy: Play genre with a happy ending (e.g., A Midsummer Night’s Dream).
- Tragedy: Play genre with a sad ending (e.g., Romeo and Juliet).
- History Play: Drama about kings and queens (e.g., Henry V).
Summary Table
| Topic | Details |
| Birthplace and Year | Stratford-upon-Avon, 1564 |
| Parents | John (glove maker), Mary (farmer’s daughter) |
| Education | Studied Latin, Greek, history; left school ~14–15 |
| Marriage and Children | Anne Hathaway; children Susannah, twins Judith and Hamlet |
| Move to London | Before 1590; worked as actor then playwright |
| Plague Impact | 1593 plague closed theatres; wrote sonnets during this time |
| Globe Theatre | Opened 1599; round, ~3,000 capacity, musical effects, cannon |
| Acting Practices | All roles played by men and boys (no women actors) |
| Genres | Comedies, tragedies, history plays |
| Number of Plays | About 30 (possibly more) |
| Death | April 23, 1616, age 52 |
| Legacy | Influential language use; works remain popular worldwide |
Action Items / Study Tips
- Read one representative play from each genre: a comedy, a tragedy, and a history play.
- Study several sonnets to see Shakespeare’s poetic style from the plague period.
- Note common words/expressions Shakespeare coined that persist in modern English.