William Shakespeare needs no introduction. He was a poet and an actor who has been called the greatest writer in the English language. He is known for his comedy, romance, history, and tragedy. As we celebrate his 450+ years, let's look at some information about William Shakespeare in this blog post.
On April 26, 1564, William Shakespeare was baptized in Stratford-upon-Avon and died on April 23, 1616. He was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the most excellent writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
The Rise to Fame of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare began his acting career in 1585 by joining the Lord Chamberlain's Men (known today as the King's Men) before eventually becoming a successful writer of narrative poetry and plays.
Then, William Shakespeare became one of the most famous playwrights and poets of all time. He has written some of the most popular plays in the English language. He's well-known for his iconic works, writing style, influences, and the lasting impact he had on the English language.
Shakespeare is often called the author of interdependent cultures. He's been England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon." His plays continue to be put on today. In fact, his works are performed more often than those of any other playwright in history!
He wrote over 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems, which include some of the most famous plays ever written, like Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, and Much Ado About Nothing.
Even today, his works are considered to be relevant, interesting, and inspiring. His influence on literature, the music industry, the film industry, and television is hard to overestimate.
William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway
When William Shakespeare was 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who was 26 at that time. They had three children: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith.
Hathaway's wedding to William Shakespeare was recently discovered to have taken a lot of effort. Various sources indicate that her two neighbors had posted an affidavit bond for the marriage to be considered genuine and valid, indicating no known hindrances to the marriage.
The Worcester consistory court issued a special license on November 27, just one day after Hathaway turned 26 years old, and another bond was posted as well. It is believed that the ceremony could have taken place in rather hasty circumstances due to the fact that they only waited around three days before posting their banns three times instead of the usual 3 weeks because of this.
Six months after William and Anne's marriage, they gave birth to Susanna. After two years, they had the twins Hamnet and Judith.
In 1596, their son, Hamnet, died at the age of 11 due to unknown causes.
Anne Hathaway
William Shakespeare’s Death
Rowe was the first biographer to record the tradition, which was later supported by Johnson, that Shakespeare retired to Stratford approximately three years prior to his death.
When Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, at age 52, he did so within six months of signing his will, a document in which he clearly indicates that he was still 'in perfect health' throughout this final part of his lifetime. The absence of any extant contemporary source concerning how or why he passed away raises many questions about the circumstances surrounding his death!
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