essay on william shakespeare biography

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Biography of William Shakespeare

Essay by review • November 12, 2010 • Essay • 357 Words (2 Pages) • 1,780 Views

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William Shakespeare Biography HÐ¬_2004-06-13

William Shakespeare was born to John Shakespeare and mother Mary Arden April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. There is no record of his birth, but his baptism was recorded by the church. His father was a prominent alderman in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, and was later granted a coat of arms by the College of Heralds. Shakespeare attended the Stratford Grammar School, and did not proceed to Oxford or Cambridge. The next record we have of him is his marriage to Anne Hathaway in 1582. The next year she born a daughter, Susanna and the twins Judith and Hamnet followed two years later.

Seven years later Shakespeare is recognized as an actor, poet and playwright, when a rival playwright, Robert Greene, refers to him as "an upstart crow" in A Groatsworth of Wit. A few years later he joined up with one of the most successful acting troupe's in London: The Lord Chamberlain's Men. When, in 1599, the troupe lost the lease of the theatre where they performed, they were wealthy enough to build their own theatre which they called "The Globe." The new theatre opened in July of 1599, with the motto "Totus mundus agit histrionem" (A whole world of players). The troupe was designated by the new king as the King's Men (or King's Company). The Letters Patent of the company specifically charged Shakespeare and eight others.

Shakespeare entertained the king and the people for another ten years. In June 19, 1613, when a canon fired from the roof of the theatre for a gala performance of Henry VIII the set fire to the roof and burned the theatre to the ground. The audience ignored the smoke from the roof at first, until the flames caught the walls and the fabric of the curtains. Amazingly there were no casualties, and the next spring the company rebuilt the theatre. Although Shakespeare invested in the rebuilding, he retired from the stage to the Great House of New Place in Statford that he had purchased in 1597. He also had some considerable land holdings, where he wrote until his death in 1616 on the day of his 52nd birthday.

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William Shakespeare Biography

Essay by May El Din • May 3, 2018 • Essay • 973 Words (4 Pages) • 1,685 Views

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William Shakespeare (purified through water on April 26, 1564 to April 23, 1616) was an English dramatist, performer and writer otherwise called the "Versifier of Avon" and frequently called England's national artist. Conceived in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, he was a critical individual from the Lord Chamberlain's Men organization of dramatic players from around 1594 ahead. Composed records give little sign of the manner by which Shakespeare's expert life formed his imaginativeness. All that can be concluded is that, in his 20 years as a dramatist, Shakespeare composed plays that catch the total scope of human feeling and strife. Known all through the world, crafted by William Shakespeare have been performed in innumerable villas, towns, urban communities and cities for over 400 years. But then, the individual history of William Shakespeare is to some degree riddle. There are two essential sources that give students of history a fundamental layout of his life. One source is his work — the plays, lyrics and pieces — and the other is legitimate documentation, for example, church and court records. Be that as it may, these lone give brief representations of particular occasions throughout his life and give little on the individual who encountered those occasions.

While it's hard to decide the correct order of William Shakespeare's plays, through the span of two decades, from around 1590 to 1613, he composed an aggregate of 37 plays rotating around a few fundamental subjects: histories, tragedies, comedies and tragicomedies.Except for the unfortunate romantic tale Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare's initially plays were for the most part histories. Henry VI (Parts I, II and III), Richard II and Henry V sensationalize the damaging aftereffects of powerless or degenerate rulers, and have been deciphered by dramatization students of history as Shakespeare's method for defending the causes of the Tudor Dynasty. Julius Caesar depicts change in Roman legislative issues that may have reverberated with watchers when England's maturing ruler, Queen Elizabeth I, had no real beneficiary, in this manner making the potential for future power battles.

Shakespeare additionally composed a few comedies amid his initial period: the clever sentiment A Midsummer Night's Dream, the sentimental Merchant of Venice, the mind and pleasantry of Much Ado About Nothing, the enchanting As You Like It and Twelfth Night.Different plays composed before 1600 incorporate Titus Andronicus, The Comedy of Errors, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Taming of the Shrew, Love's Labor's Lost, King John, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry V.

It was in William Shakespeare's later period, after 1600, that he composed the tragedies Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. In these, Shakespeare's characters exhibit striking impressions of human demeanor that are immortal and general. Conceivably the best known about these plays is Hamlet, which investigates double-crossing, reprisal, inbreeding and good disappointment. These ethical disappointments frequently drive the turns and turns of Shakespeare's plots, pulverizing the legend and those he adores.

In William Shakespeare's last period, he composed a few tragicomedies. Among these are Cymbeline, The Winter's Tale and The Tempest. In spite of the fact that graver in tone than the comedies, they are not the dim tragedies of King Lear or Macbeth since they end with compromise and pardoning. Different plays composed amid this period incorporate All's Well That Ends Well, Measure for Measure, Timon of Athens, Coriolanus, Pericles and Henry VIII.

Despite the fact that no birth records exist, church records show that a William Shakespeare was sanctified through water at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564. From this, it is trusted he was conceived on or close April 23, 1564, and this is the date researchers recognize as William Shakespeare's birthday. Found 103 miles west of London, amid Shakespeare's opportunity Stratford-upon-Avon was a market town divided with a nation street and the River Avon.

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Home | Literature | Writers | William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Biography Summary

William Shakespeare was an English poet and a playwright. He wrote thirty eight plays and one hundred fifty four sonnets. Shakespeare is considered to be the greatest writer in the English language. His work included tragedy, comedy, and historical works. Some of his most famous plays are Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. William Shakespeare was a legendary man, we do not know much about his life. But, we know enough.

Shakespeare was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, 23rd April, 1564 (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). His father was a successful businessman and his mother was the daughter of a landowner (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”).When William Shakespeare was just eighteen years old he married Anne Hathaway. Their marriage was a little strange because Shakespeare spent most of his time in London. They had three children; Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith. Hamnet died at the age of eleven and inspired the play Hamlet (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”).

He first made his appearance in London, where his plays would be written and performed (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). It is believed that by 1592 Shakespeare was well known enough to get critiqued by critics and already considered to be an established playwright (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). After the year 1594 William Shakespeare’s plays were only acted out by the company, Lord Chamberlain’s Men. After the death of Queen Elizabeth the company was given a royal patent the renamed it, The Kingsmen (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”).

William Shakespeare created his own theatre on the River Thames (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). He named it the Globe Theatre. After that, a record of all his land purchases and investments that Shakespeare made showed that he was a very wealthy man (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). So much so that he bought properties all across London for him and his family, sense he spent most of his time there (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”).

Shakespeare continued to work with his company, The Globe Theatre. Until around 1610, when he retired working on the stage (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). But, he still continued to support the Globe Theatre. William Shakespeare would buy apartments for fellow playwrights and actors to live in (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”).

In 1594 Shakespeare’s first known quartos of his plays were published. His name became the selling point of his career (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). This led to his success as a playwright and an actor on stage. William Shakespeare’s name was even published on the title page of his plays.

William Shakespeare was known for both his poetry and plays. With both serving different needs. His plays were related to the theatrical fashion that was on trend (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). While his poetry told storytelling in erotic or romantic ways. Shakespeare wanted the people love his work, and most did.

Shakespeare wrote at least thirty-eight plays that scholars know of (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). Most of his plays were labeled comedies, histories, or tragedies (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). The earliest known play by William Shakespeare is King Henry VI with Richard III written between the years of 1589 and 1591 (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). His last known written play was known to be The Two Noble Kinsmen.

From Shakespeare’s written histories in the 1580s and 1590s, he decided to move on to comedies (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). People described them as comic sequences and plots that entwined with each other. William Shakespeare’s best known comedies include; Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, and

Much Ado About Nothing (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). Then, two tragedy plays halted his comedic era. Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar ( “William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”).

At the end of his writing career, William Shakespeare focuses more on tragedy plays. This era is acknowledged to be Shakespeare’s best era. He wrote a lot of favorites in this time including; Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Coriolanus, and Macbeth (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). These tragedies are the most played in production in films and on stage.

When looking at a chronology of Shakespeare’s plays, it is clearly seen that Shakespeare changed the subjects of his plays as he grew (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). Then returned to a more serene life. Moving from historical plays to a more playful side, and then, finally, into plays where plots would result in a sense of forgiveness (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). Shakespeare’s change as both a man and a writer is very evident.

Shakespeare retired from public life in 1610 (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). Right after the bubonic plague began to to take over London. William Shakespeare retiring was unusual at that time, but he was not at all less active. In fact, he continued to make frequent trips to London to collaborate with other playwrights, such as John Fletcher (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). He would also spend time with his son-in-law John Hall, who married his oldest daughter, Susanna in 1607 (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”).

William Shakespeare, up until 1613 was an active dramatist and writer when the last of his great works was finished (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). From then on, He spent most of his time in Stratford-upon-Avon, with his family. Not writing anymore plays or sonnets. “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”, a quote from William Shakespeare.

William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, and was buried at the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). He has a curse written on his tombstone to ward off those who would disturb his bones. He was 52 years old when he died and was survived by his wife, Anna, and their two daughters (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”). There are no direct descendants from Shakespeare’s line, as both daughters had children who did not make it to adulthood (“William Shakespeare, His Life, Works and Influence.”)

William Shakespeare is a legend. In today’s world everyone knows him, not just in Europe, but all over the world. Shakespeare’s work is read in schools, made into movies, and is still acted out on stage. William Shakespeare is legendary.

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William Shakespeare Biography Summary. (2021, Mar 23). Retrieved from https://samploon.com/william-shakespeare-biography/

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William Shakespeare Short Biography

Born on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England. His father John Shakespeare and his mother Mary Arden. W.S. was able to attend grammer school and learned Greek and Latin classics (this is comparable to college education today). At age 14 his father lost the family fortune and remained poor until his death

At 18 he married Anne Hathaway in 1582. She was 26 years old . They had three children Suzanne(1583) and the twins Hamnet and Judith(1585).

In his mid-twenties he left Stratford(supposedly because of poaching on the Queen’s land) for London. His first job with Richard Burbage’s men was as an osler; next an actor.

No one knows what he was doing during 1585-1592.

By 1592 he had become known in London as an actor and playwright; his rise was rapid.

Queen Elizabeth 1 supported the arts and the theater .

In 1592 a plague closed the theaters(Shakespeare wrote poetry during this time to support himself). In 1593 a brief reopening of the theater happened. In 1594 theaters reopened.

The troupe became the Lord Chamberlain’s Men set up on a servant co-op structure. Requirements for actors:

1. loud voice 2. sing and play instruments 3. good swordsman 4. good memories

During this time he wrote many comedies: Comedy of Errors first of any status.

Histories were written in support of the gov’t. This is where they were receiving much of the financial support so they wanted to keep the gov’t (Queen) happy. W.S. was a major stockholder in the theater.

1597-bought New Place in Stratford(2nd largest house)

1599-Lord Chamberlain’s Men bought land and built the Globe Theater in Southwark(South Bank of the Thames River). W.S. owned 1/10th

1603-Queen Elizabeth died. King James took reign of England . He loved the arts more than the queen. The name was changed from Lord Chamberlain’s Men to the King’s Men.

1608-Added to the Globe Theater by buying the Black Friars Theater and giving performances there also. W.S. owned 1/7th

1613-Fire at the Globe during a performance of Henry 8th; rebuilt within a year. Left comedies and histories to write tragedies soon after the Globe reopened.

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