Shakespeare's life
Early Life
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon a market town 100 miles northwest of London, and baptized there on April 23, 1564. His father John worked in farming, wood trading leather work and money lending. John married Mary Arden the daughter of a land owner. And like John may have been practicing catholic, at a time were those who opposed the new Church of England were persecuted.
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EducationWilliam was the third of eight children of whom three died in childhood. Though no records of his education survive it is likely that he began his education at the age of six or seven at Stratford grammar school, which still stands a short distance from his house. As was the case in all Elizabethan schools Latin was the primary language of learning although Shakespeare also likely had lessons in English. It is unknown whether he completed his school years or abandoned his studies to start an apprenticeship with his father.
DisappearanceShakespeare disappears from the historical records between 1585, when his twins were baptized and 1592. Many have speculated that he worked as a schoolteacher, studied law, traveled across Europe or joined an acting troupe that was passing through Stratford. But by 1592 Shakespeare had begun work as an actor and believed to have written his first plays around 1592. In 1594 he began writing and acting for a troupe known as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (renamed the King’s Men when James 1 became patron). Later William joined with other actors and poets to establish the legendary Globe theater in 1599.
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FamilyAt 18 Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway aged 26, in a ceremony thought to be hastily arranged due to her pregnancy. Seven months later Susanna was born and christened on May 26th 1583. Twins Hamnet and Judith followed in February 1585. Susanna and Judith lived to old age, while Shakespeare’s only son Hamnet died in 1596 aged 11. It is believed that Anne and Shakespeare lived apart most of their lives and it was not until the end of Shakespeare’s life when he returned to Stratford.
Death and LegacyShakespeare died on April 23 1616 aged 52, leaving most that he owned to Susanna his daughter. Anne Hathaway who outlived her husband by seven years received the “second best bed”. His tombstone bears a curse warding off grave robbers and some say Shakespeare wrote it himself. The curse says “Blessed be the man that spares these stones, / and cursed be he that moves my bones”. His remains have yet to be disturbed, despite requests by archaeologists keen to reveal what killed him.
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