Overview
This lecture traces the life, background, career, and enduring legacy of William Shakespeare, focusing on his rise from modest origins to becoming the most prominent figure of the English Renaissance and the greatest playwright in history.
Early Life and Family Background
- William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon between April 21-23, 1564.
- His father, John Shakespeare, was a successful glover and civic official; his mother, Mary Arden, came from a prominent Catholic family.
- The marriage between John and Mary elevated the family's financial and social status.
- William was the oldest surviving child among eight siblings; only a few siblings lived into adulthood.
Education and Early Influences
- Attended petty school at age 5, then King’s New School (grammar school) at age 7.
- Studied Roman and Greek authors, especially classic playwrights and historians.
- Influenced by traveling theatre troupes and local dramatic performances in his youth.
Family Fortunes and “The Lost Years”
- John Shakespeare’s business declined in the 1570s, leading to loss of property and status.
- William left school at 15; little is known about his activities from 1579-1592 ("lost years").
- Possible occupations included acting and school teaching.
Marriage and Children
- Married Anne Hathaway in 1582; she was 26, he was 18.
- Their children: Susanna, twins Hamnet and Judith; Hamnet died at age 11.
- The marriage was likely hurried due to Anne's pregnancy.
Career Beginnings and Theatrical Success
- By 1592, Shakespeare was recognized as both actor and playwright.
- Early works included the Henry VI trilogy, with subsequent plays drawing from historical and classical sources.
- Theatre closure due to plague (1592-94) led to poetic works such as Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece.
Rise to Prominence
- Joined and invested in the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later the King’s Men under King James I.
- Wrote and staged a prolific number of comedies, histories, and tragedies, often inspired by earlier plays, poems, and historical texts.
- Acquired wealth, property, and a family coat of arms; built a strong reputation in both London and Stratford.
Later Life, Legacy, and Death
- Continued to write major works into the early 1600s, including Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear.
- Retired to Stratford; revised his will in early 1616; died April 23, 1616, aged 52.
- First Folio of his works published in 1623, solidifying his literary canon.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Renaissance — European cultural movement (14th–17th centuries) that revived classical learning and arts.
- Lord Chamberlain’s Men/King’s Men — Leading acting companies for which Shakespeare wrote most of his plays.
- First Folio — The first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, published in 1623.
- Quarto — Small, individual printings of plays before the First Folio.
- Recusant — Someone refusing to attend Anglican services, often indicating Catholic faith.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review key plays and their historical sources.
- Read selected sonnets to explore themes of identity and relationships.
- Research debates on Shakespeare’s authorship for essay/discussion.