William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He had a wife and three children and left Stratford for London in the 1580s to pursue a career as an actor and playwright. In London, he found success as a shareholder and leading playwright for the Lord Chamberlain's Men theatrical company. Over his career, Shakespeare wrote approximately 38 plays and 154 sonnets, becoming very wealthy and gaining recognition as the greatest English playwright of all time for his unparalleled understanding of human nature.

1. The Life and Times ofThe Life and Times of
William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare
1564-16161564-1616

2. • Shakespeare was born in 1564 in a townShakespeare was born in 1564 in a town
called Stratford-upon-Avon. It was northcalled Stratford-upon-Avon. It was north
of London.of London.

3. • His father, John Shakespeare, owned aHis father, John Shakespeare, owned a
shop as a glove maker and also heldshop as a glove maker and also held
several government positions, includingseveral government positions, including
Mayor of Stratford.Mayor of Stratford.

4. He learned Latin in his grammar schoolHe learned Latin in his grammar school
as a child.as a child.

5. In Stratford-Upon Avon, he watchedIn Stratford-Upon Avon, he watched
pageants and shows during holidays,pageants and shows during holidays,
enjoyed fairs twice a year and enjoyedenjoyed fairs twice a year and enjoyed
traveling companies of actors whichtraveling companies of actors which
would perform there.would perform there.

6. • In 1582 at the age of 18, he marriedIn 1582 at the age of 18, he married
Anne Hathaway who was 26.Anne Hathaway who was 26.
• He had a daughter Susanna and twinsHe had a daughter Susanna and twins
named Hamnet and Judith.named Hamnet and Judith.

7. He left Stratford for London to advanceHe left Stratford for London to advance
his literary career and become an actor.his literary career and become an actor.

8. In London he became a shareholder inIn London he became a shareholder in
an acting company called The Lordan acting company called The Lord
Chamberlain’s Men as well as theChamberlain’s Men as well as the
primary playwright and an actor.primary playwright and an actor.

9. He would often perform at the court ofHe would often perform at the court of
Queen Elizabeth I.Queen Elizabeth I.

10. During the years of the plague, he wouldDuring the years of the plague, he would
write poetry since the theaters werewrite poetry since the theaters were
often closed. It was considered by theoften closed. It was considered by the
Elizabethans to be more important toElizabethans to be more important to
write poetry than to write plays.write poetry than to write plays.

11. He wrote 154 sonnets during “a timeHe wrote 154 sonnets during “a time
when sonneteering was in vogue inwhen sonneteering was in vogue in
London.”London.”

12. After the plague he wrote about 2 plays aAfter the plague he wrote about 2 plays a
year. Shakespeare wrote a total of 37year. Shakespeare wrote a total of 37
plays. This made William a wealthy man.plays. This made William a wealthy man.

13. His first play performed at the GlobeHis first play performed at the Globe
Theater wasTheater was Julius CaesarJulius Caesar..

14. In 1599 he became partial owner of theIn 1599 he became partial owner of the
Globe Theater. He held 10% of its shares.Globe Theater. He held 10% of its shares.

15. After the death of Queen Elizabeth, herAfter the death of Queen Elizabeth, her
successor King James I licensedsuccessor King James I licensed
Shakespeare and his acting group to beShakespeare and his acting group to be
called “The King’s Men”.called “The King’s Men”.

16. At the end of his life, Bill returned toAt the end of his life, Bill returned to
Stratford-upon-Avon to retire. He died inStratford-upon-Avon to retire. He died in
1616.1616.

17. He is considered the greatest dramatistHe is considered the greatest dramatist
in the world.in the world.

18. He is considered the greatest EnglishHe is considered the greatest English
poet.poet.

19. He had a clear understanding of humanHe had a clear understanding of human
nature and created dramatic situationsnature and created dramatic situations
that relate to all human beings.that relate to all human beings.
(universality)(universality)