William Shakespeare Short Biography - All About William Shakespeare, His Life & Works.

William Shakespeare Short Biography - All About William Shakespeare, His Life & Works.

William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright in the English language and one of the most significant figures in world literature. His works have been translated into every major language and his plays are still performed today in theaters around the world. In this article, we will explore the life and works of this iconic writer.

Early Life and Education

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564. His father, John Shakespeare, was a successful glove-maker and businessman, while his mother, Mary Arden, came from a prominent local family. William was the third child of John and Mary and the eldest son.

William attended the local grammar school, where he would have studied Latin and Greek, as well as reading and writing in English. However, it is believed that he did not attend university, as there is no record of him doing so.

Career in London

At the age of 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, who was eight years his senior. They had three children together, but little is known about their marriage.

Around 1590, Shakespeare left his family behind in Stratford and moved to London to pursue a career in theater. He began working as an actor and a playwright, and quickly gained a reputation as a talented writer.

The Globe Theatre

In 1599, Shakespeare and a group of fellow actors built their own theater, called the Globe. It was one of several theaters in London at the time, but it was the most famous and successful.

The Globe was an open-air theater, with seating for around 3,000 people. It was built in a circular shape, with a stage in the center and three tiers of seating around it. The stage was surrounded by a pit, where groundlings could stand to watch the play.

William Shakespeare Short Biography - All About William Shakespeare, His Life & Works.

Major Works

Shakespeare wrote over 30 plays during his career, as well as numerous sonnets and other poems. Some of his most famous plays include:

Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, The Tempest, Julius Caesar, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night

Shakespeare's plays were performed at the Globe and other theaters in London. They were often commissioned by wealthy patrons, who would pay for the play to be performed at their homes or at court.

Legacy

Shakespeare died in 1616, at the age of 52. He was buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Today, Shakespeare's plays are still performed and studied around the world. His works have been translated into every major language and his influence on literature, theater, and the English language is immeasurable.

Conclusion

William Shakespeare was a prolific writer who left an indelible mark on world literature. His plays and poems continue to be performed and studied today, and his influence on the English language and the theater is still felt centuries after his death.