William Shakespeare Case

In the late 1500’s, the idea of watching a film or movie was not even thought of, but watching playwrights was particularly common amongst the people of London. A poet by the name of William Shakespeare, has proven himself as an extraordinary dramatist, and is best known for his fine poetry and playwrights. He wrote about 37 plays that varied from histories, comedies, tragedies, and tragicomedies. An overview of William Shakespeare includes a summary of his life, of Hamlet, and several critics giving their opinion on the listed playwright.

Historians believe William Shakespeare was born on April 23rd, 1564, but records of this information have not been discovered (“Shakespeare’s” 1). As church records indicate, he was baptized April 26th, 1564 at Holy Trinity Church. Scholars received information about Shakespeare's life from Holy Trinity Church and from his work. According to the records that the scholars received, Shakespeare had two sisters and three brothers (“William” 1). He was the third eldest child born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. Shakespeare's siblings were Joan, Margaret, Gilbert, Joan, Anne, Richard, and Edmund. Although he is one of the best known authors, William Shakespeare and his family seem to have lived a remote life.

There are no records regarding Shakespeare's education, but scholars have determined that he attended King’s New School, located in Stratford (“William” 1). Due to his father, John Shakespeare, being a public official, he would have had the opportunity for free tuition (“Shakespeare’s 1). After attending grammar school, he did not go to a university, this part of his life is certain. On November 28th, 1582, he married Anne Hathaway. At this time, Shakespeare was of the age 18, and Anne was 26 (“William” 1). Anne was pregnant with their first daughter, Susanna, and two years later, they had twins, Hamnet and Judith. Unfortunately, Hamnet died at the age of 11, due to an unknown cause.

After this time in his life, it seems as if seven years have no records; this has been called the “lost years” (“William” 1). It has been said that Shakespeare arrived in London during the late 1580’s and this is when he began to form a career for himself, as an actor and playwright (“Shakespeare’s” 2). By the early 1590’s, Shakespeare was a managing partner in an acting company (“William” 1-2). He had published 15 of his plays, and he and his partners built a theater that was known as the Globe. He was not only an artist, but one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his time.

William Shakespeare wrote his will in 1611, bestowing most of his belongings to his eldest daughter, Susanna (“Shakespeare’s” 2). Very little went to his wife, Anne Hathaway, however, there were no signs of trouble in their marriage (“William” 2). It has been said that William Shakespeare died on his birthday, April 23, 1616, although many believe