William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564 and married Anne Hathaway with whom he had three children. He spent most of his time in London writing and performing plays, becoming a successful playwright and businessman. Some of his most famous works include 154 sonnets written in the 1590s and plays such as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth that have been studied extensively and translated into many languages. Shakespeare died in 1616 in Stratford-upon-Avon and remains one of the most influential writers in history.

1. ► William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare
was born in Stratfordwas born in Stratford
on about April 23rdon about April 23rd
1564. His father1564. His father
William was aWilliam was a
successful localsuccessful local
businessman and hisbusinessman and his
mother Mary was themother Mary was the
daughter of adaughter of a
landowner. Relativelylandowner. Relatively
prosperous, it is likelyprosperous, it is likely
the family paid forthe family paid for
Williams education,Williams education,
although there is noalthough there is no
evidence he attendedevidence he attended
university.university.

2. ► In 1582 William, agedIn 1582 William, aged
only 18, married anonly 18, married an
older woman namedolder woman named
Anne Hathaway. SoonAnne Hathaway. Soon
after they had theirafter they had their
first daughter,first daughter,
Susanna. They hadSusanna. They had
another two childrenanother two children
but William’s only sonbut William’s only son
Hamnet died aged onlyHamnet died aged only
11.11.

3. ► After his marriage, informationAfter his marriage, information
about the life of Shakespeare isabout the life of Shakespeare is
sketchy but it seems he spentsketchy but it seems he spent
most of his time in Londonmost of his time in London
writing and performing in hiswriting and performing in his
plays. It seemed he didn’t mindplays. It seemed he didn’t mind
being absent from his family -being absent from his family -
only returning home during Lentonly returning home during Lent
when all theatres were closed. Itwhen all theatres were closed. It
is generally thought that duringis generally thought that during
the 1590s he wrote the majoritythe 1590s he wrote the majority
of his sonnets. This was a time ofof his sonnets. This was a time of
prolific writing and his playsprolific writing and his plays
developed a good deal of interestdeveloped a good deal of interest
and controversy. Due to someand controversy. Due to some
well timed investments he waswell timed investments he was
able to secure a firm financialable to secure a firm financial
background, leaving time forbackground, leaving time for
writing and acting. The best ofwriting and acting. The best of
these investments was buyingthese investments was buying
some real estate near Stratfordsome real estate near Stratford
in 1605, which soon doubled inin 1605, which soon doubled in
value.value.

4. Shakespeare the PoetShakespeare the Poet
► William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare
wrote 154 Sonnetswrote 154 Sonnets
mostly in the 1590s.mostly in the 1590s.
Fairly short poems,Fairly short poems,
they deal with issuesthey deal with issues
such as lost love. Hissuch as lost love. His
sonnets have ansonnets have an
enduring appeal dueenduring appeal due
to his characteristicto his characteristic
skill with languageskill with language
and words.and words.
““Let me not to theLet me not to the
marriage of truemarriage of true
mindsminds
Admit impediments.Admit impediments.
Love is not loveLove is not love
Which alters when itWhich alters when it
alteration finds,alteration finds,
Or bends with theOr bends with the
remover to remove:”remover to remove:”
Sonnet CXVISonnet CXVI

5. The plays of Shakespeare have been studied more than anyThe plays of Shakespeare have been studied more than any
other writing in the English language and have beenother writing in the English language and have been
translated into numerous languages. He was rare as a play-translated into numerous languages. He was rare as a play-
write for excelling in tragedies, comedies and histories. Hewrite for excelling in tragedies, comedies and histories. He
deftly combined popular entertainment with a raredeftly combined popular entertainment with a rare
poeticcapacity for expression which is almost mantric inpoeticcapacity for expression which is almost mantric in
quality.quality.
"This above all: to thine ownself be true,"This above all: to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day, And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man. Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!" Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!"
Lord Polonius, Hamlet Act I, Scene 3Lord Polonius, Hamlet Act I, Scene 3

6. ► During his lifetime,During his lifetime,
Shakespeare was notShakespeare was not
without controversy, butwithout controversy, but
he also received lavishhe also received lavish
praise for his plays whichpraise for his plays which
were very popular andwere very popular and
commercially successful.commercially successful.
Shakespeare died in 1664;Shakespeare died in 1664;
it is not clear how he diedit is not clear how he died
although his vicaralthough his vicar
suggested it was fromsuggested it was from
heavy drinking. Hisheavy drinking. His
tombstone is marked withtombstone is marked with
the following epitaph;the following epitaph;
► Good friend for JesusGood friend for Jesus
sake forbearesake forbeare
To digg the dustTo digg the dust
encloased heareencloased heare
Blessed by y man yBlessed by y man y
spares hes stonesspares hes stones
And curst be he y And curst be he y
moves my bonesmoves my bones

7. ► It is true to say thatIt is true to say that
each line ofeach line of
Shakespeare has beenShakespeare has been
poured over bypoured over by
scholars and studentsscholars and students
- no idea or concept- no idea or concept
has been lefthas been left
unturned.unturned.
Shakespeare has leftShakespeare has left
a profound and lastinga profound and lasting
impact on literature,impact on literature,
cinema and theatre.cinema and theatre.