Outline:
1. Childhood
- Born in: April, 1564, Stratford-upon-Avon
- Father: John Shakespeare, a successful Glover
- Mother: Mary Arden, the daughter of a rich landowning farmer.
- Study: at the King's New School, in Stratford. It was a free school chartered
in 1553.
2. Early Life
- 1582, Shakespeare got married to Anne Hathaway, a 26-year-old woman,
when he was hardly 18 years old.
- 1583, a daughter, Susanna, six months after the marriage ceremony.
- 1585, the couple had twins - son Hamnet and daughter Judith. Hamnet died
at the age of 11, of causes that are unknown.
3. Shakespeare's Lost Years
- From 1585 to 1592, there are hardly any historical records on him.
4. London and Theatrical Career
- Though there is no conclusive evidence on the time Shakespeare began
writing, it is believed to be somewhere in the end 16th century.
- There are records of shows, based on his plays, performed at the London
stage by 1592.
- From 1594, he gained major recognition and his name became a selling
point.
5. Later Years and Death
- In the 17th century, Shakespeare wrote fewer plays.
- Even his last three plays are believed to be collaborations, probably with
John Fletcher. The latter succeeded Shakespeare as the house playwright for
the ‘King’s Men’.
- Shakespeare died on 23rd April 1616.
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/william-shakespeare-2604.html
Present:
Childhood
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon and baptized on 26 th April
1564. He was the son of John Shakespeare, a successful Glover and Mary Arden,
the daughter of a rich landowning farmer. Since his exact birth date is unknown,
people usually celebrate 23rd April, St George's Day, as his birthday. It is believed
that Shakespeare studied at the King's New School, in Stratford. It was a free
school chartered in 1553, which was around a quarter of a mile from his home.
Early Life
Shakespeare got married to Anne Hathaway, a 26-year-old woman, when he was
hardly 18 years old. The couple was issued a marriage license on 27 th November
1582. Anne was pregnant before the marriage and gave birth to a daughter,
Susanna, six months after the ceremony. Around two years after the birth of
Susanna, the couple had twins - son Hamnet and daughter Judith. Hamnet died at
the age of 11, of causes that are unknown.
Shakespeare's Lost Years
From the birth of his twins, to the time when Shakespeare appeared on the London
theatre circuit, in 1592, there are hardly any historical records on him. In fact,
because of lack of information about these years of his life, the period is often
referred to as ‘Shakespeare's Lost Years’. However, there are a number of
apocryphal stories attributed to this period. While some believe that he fled to
London, to escape prosecution for deer poaching, others are of the opinion that he
used to look after the horses of theatre patrons in London. Yet another story is that
he worked as a country schoolmaster.
London and Theatrical Career
Though there is no conclusive evidence on the time Shakespeare began writing, it
is believed to be somewhere in the end 16 th century. There are records of shows,
based on his plays, performed at the London stage by 1592.
Later Years and Death
In the 17th century, Shakespeare wrote fewer plays. In fact, there has been no
record of a play being written by him after 1613. Even his last three plays are
believed to be collaborations, probably with John Fletcher. The latter succeeded
Shakespeare as the house playwright for the ‘King’s Men’. Shakespeare died on
23rd April 1616.
