The Life And Works Of Shakespeare Essay

, Research Paper

William Shakespeare is the world’s most admired

playwright and poet. He was born in April, 1564 in

Stratford-upon-Avon, about 100 miles northwest of

London. According to the records of Stratford’s Holy

Trinity Church, he was baptized on April 26. As with most

sixteenth century births, the actual day is not recorded but

people are guessing that he was born on April 23.

Shakespeare’s parents were John and Mary Shakespeare,

who lived in Henley Street, Stratford. John, the son of

Richard Shakespeare, was a maker, worker and seller of

leather goods like purses, belts and gloves and a dealer in

agricultural commodities. He served in Stratford

government successively as a member of the Council ,

constable , chamberlain , alderman and finally high bailiff

which is the equivalent of town mayor. About 1577 John

Shakespeare’s fortunes began to decline for unknown

reasons. There are records of debts.

William had seven siblings. He was the third child and

first born son. In the sixteenth century

Stratford-upon-Avon was an important agricultural center

and market town. The building in Henley street known

today as the birthplace of William Shakespeare was at the

time of his birth, two different buildings that John

Shakespeare bought at two different times.

William went to school at the Stratford Grammar

School. He had to show up at six or seven A.M. depending

on the season and stay there most of the day, six days a

week. William studied many different authors and

dramatists including Caesar, Cicero, Virgil, Horace, Livy,

and Ovid. Ovid was his favorite. Grammar school was the

beginning of Shakespeare’s career. Almost everything he

mastered he learned there. After grammar school, William

went to the Warwickshire Countryside. There he played

parts in plays and wrote poetry.

The years 1594-1599 were momentous for

Shakespeare. He produced a steady stream of plays of the

highest quality. He continued as a principal actor and

manager in the Chamberlain’s men, blessed with a stable

work environment in the theater. Finally in 1599, he

became part owner in the most prestigious public

playhouse in London, the Globe.

His first works which were heavily influenced by the

classical examples he had learned as a student were The

Comedy of Errors and Titus Andronicus. He invented a

new genre called the history play. His early works in this

genre were the three Henry VI plays, and Richard III. He

got his idea for Venis and Adonis and Rape of Lucrece

from his favorite author, Ovid.

Over the years 1594-1599 the Chamberlain’s Men had

become the most popular acting company in London, being

invited to perform at court far more often than any other

group. Shakespeare must have done a great deal of acting.

He is listed by Ben Jonson in Jonson’s magnificent 1616

Folio of his Works as having acted as the chief comedian in

Every Man In His Humour in 1598. The Globe Theater

burned down in 1613 and many of Shakespeare’s

manuscripts were ruined. It was then rebuilt by a carpenter

named Peter Rose.

Shakespeare’s last work before he retired was The

Temptest. Then he died in 1616 and was then buried in the

Parish Church. His death was sudden and they don’t know

what caused it but they think he could have lived much

longer. Almost all his things went to his oldest daughter

Susanne. His younger daughter Judith got 300 pounds, and

his wife got all the furniture.

After he died Judith married John Quiney. He cheated

on her and got another girl pregnant. That baby died. Judith

and John had three children together. One they named

Shakespeare died as an infant. There other two, Richard

and Thomas died at the ages of 21 and 19.

Shakespeare was one of the greatest playwrights and

poets ever. He was a big part in literature. He invented a

new genre and made many plays that everybody loves. He

was a great man. On his grave it says:

GOOD FRIEND FOR JESUS

SAKE FOR BEAR

TO DIG THE DUST

ENCLOSED HEAR

BLESSED BE YE MAN WHO

SPARES THESE STONES

AND CURSED BE HE WHO

MOVES MY BONES

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