Hartwell yeargans biography of william shakespeare
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Read the whole William Shakespeare biography, or skip to the section of Shakespeare’s life you’re most interested in:
Shakespeare’s Birth and Family
Shakespeare’s Childhood & Education
Shakespeare’s Marriage & Children
Shakespeare’s Lost Years
Shakespeare’s London Years
Shakespeare’s Retirement
Shakespeare’s Death
A Very Brief William Shakespeare Biography
- Parents: John Shakespeare & Mary Shakespeare (nee Arden).
- Date of Birth: Generally accepted as 23rd April 1564.
It is not even necessary to have read the works of Shakespeare to be familiar with his well-known quotations and characters. There is also rumor of Shakespeare working as an assistant schoolmaster in Lancashire for a time, though this is circumstantial at best.
It is estimated that Shakespeare arrived in London around 1588 and began to establish himself as an actor and playwright.
Historians use the following primary sources to piece together his life:
- Shakespeare’s works — the plays, poems and sonnets.
- Official records such as church and court records.
- Written commentary about Shakespeare and his work from contemporaries such as Robert Green and Ben Johnson.
Biographers over the years have amassed an immense amount of knowledge and information Some fact, some opinion.
He had plays published and sold in octavo editions, or "penny-copies" to the more literate of his audiences. Shakespeare died a grandfather after living a relatively long and healthy life where the average life expectancy was just 35.
Shakespeare was buried on 25th April, 1616, in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.
William Shakespeare’s grave in Holy Trinity Church, complete with curse and flowers
Read Our Favourite Shakespeare Biographies in Print
There are so many books out there about Shakespeare and his life, but these four below are our all-time favourites.
The disputed authorship of particular works.
Or several, judging from the published speculation focused on her life and marriage.
- Shakespeare's "Lost Years"
- William Shakespeare may be the most famous writer in Western literature, but his whereabouts from 1585 to 1592 are a mystery.
The bard had established himself in London prior to 1592, as evidenced by a mention in the London Times by a fellow playwright.
Career Start: The King’s Men and Early Works
William Shakespeare’s career began to flourish in the 1590s when he joined Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a prominent theatrical company in London. In addition, Shakespeare's ownership share in both the theatrical company and the Globe itself made him as much an entrepeneur as artist. Returned to family in Stratford-Upon-Avon upon retirement.
- Career: Writer, actor, theatre owner and producer.
- Body of Work: 37 plays.
As he ventured deeper into his career, his works evolved, showcasing a mastery of language, plot intricacy, and the ability to explore a wide range of human emotions. This theory could explain why he left his wife and children in Stratford and reappeared 90 miles away in London. This period, known as the "Lost Years," has sparked as much controversy about Shakespeare's life as any period.
His proficiency in creating engaging characters and compelling storylines quickly distinguished him from other playwrights of the time. The First Folio, published posthumously in 1623, played a crucial role in cementing his legacy, ensuring that his previously less-known plays became widely read and performed. He seems to have been interested in writing poems: in addition to his day job of writing plays – he also wrote his two long poems, Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece.
Vintage 2006.
https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/
https://www.rsc.org.uk/
https://www.folger.edu/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Shakespeare/
http://theshakespeareblog.com/http://www.william-shakespeare.info/
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/
http://www.literarygenius.info/education-of-william-shakespeare.htm
http://www.william-shakespeare.info/
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/shakespeareeducation.html
William Shakespeare | Biography
Who is William Shakespeare?
William Shakespeare, often hailed as the greatest dramatist of all time, was an influential English poet, playwright, and actor from the Renaissance era.
The Influence of William Shakespeare Through the Centuries
One of the bard's most enduring influences is on the English language. A key purpose of this biography of William Shakespeare has been to make clear what is supposition or assumption rather than fact.