Hamlet

Who was William Shakespeare?

William Shakespeare was born on the 23^rd of April 1564. His life is relatively poorly documented although it is known that his father was a glove maker and leather merchant and his mother was a landed heiress meaning that a young William would have enjoyed a quite comfortable childhood. Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway who was eight years his senior and eventually had three children together. It is believed that his family had some financial issues and essentially disappeared from society. Many theories exist as to where he went, including school teaching and acting.

In 1953 the Black Plague consumed England and theatres were closed. During this time Shakespeare began writing long poems such as “The Rape of Lucrece” and also began to write a number of sonnets. In 1598 William Shakespeare had become rather wealthy from his share in a theatre that had Lord Chamberlain as a patron, and he was able to establish himself in society as a true “Gentleman”.

William Shakespeare wrote most of his great tragedies between 1604 and 1608; his company became the most popular and famous in London. He died on the 23^rd of April (his birthday) 1616, aged 52. His friends John Heminges and Henery Condell published his works after his death, bringing Shakespeare to the world.

Even after death Shakespeare left us a lasting rhyme that is displayed on his tomb

“Good friend, for Jesus’ sake forbeare
To dig the dust enclosed here.
Blessed be the man that spares these stones,
And cursed be he that moves my bones”