William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in history. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564, Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets have been enjoyed by audiences around the world for over four centuries. In this article, we will delve into the life and works of the Bard of Avon, exploring his early years, family life, career, and legacy.
Early Years and Family Life
Shakespeare was born in April 1564, the son of John Shakespeare, a glove-maker and prominent citizen of Stratford-upon-Avon, and Mary Arden, the daughter of a wealthy landowner. Shakespeare was the third of eight children, and he grew up in a comfortable, middle-class household.
Little is known about Shakespeare’s early years, but it is believed that he attended the local grammar school, where he received a solid education in Latin, rhetoric, and literature. It is also believed that he married Anne Hathaway, a local farmer’s daughter, in 1582, when he was 18 and she was 26. The couple had three children together: Susanna, born in 1583, and twins Judith and Hamnet, born in 1585.
William Shakespeare Wife
William Shakespeare’s wife was named Anne Hathaway. They were married on November 28, 1582, when Shakespeare was 18 years old and Hathaway was 26 years old. At the time of their marriage, Hathaway was already pregnant with their first child, a daughter named Susanna. The couple went on to have two more children, twins named Hamnet and Judith.
Not much is known about Anne Hathaway, as she was not a public figure like her husband. It is believed that she grew up in a village near Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was also from. After their marriage, the couple lived in Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare worked as a playwright and actor. Hathaway outlived her husband by seven years and died in 1623 at the age of 67.
Career and Legacy
Shakespeare’s career as a playwright began in the late 16th century, when he joined a theatrical company known as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Over the course of his career, he wrote more than 30 plays, including such masterpieces as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and Othello. He also wrote more than 150 sonnets, which are considered some of the finest poetry in the English language.
Shakespeare’s plays were enormously popular in his own time, and they continue to be performed and studied today. His work has had a profound influence on literature, language, and culture, and he is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. His plays have been translated into every major language, and his characters and themes have become archetypes of human experience.
Most Famous Poems of William Shakespeare
- Sonnet 18 – “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”
- Sonnet 116 – “Let me not to the marriage of true minds”
- Sonnet 130 – “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun”
- Sonnet 29 – “When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes”
- Sonnet 73 – “That time of year thou mayst in me behold”
- The Phoenix and the Turtle – “Let the bird of loudest lay”
- Venus and Adonis – “Even as the sun with purple-coloured face”
- The Rape of Lucrece – “From the besieged Ardea all in post”
- A Lover’s Complaint – “From off a hill whose concave womb reworded”
- The Sonnets as a whole – a collection of 154 sonnets exploring themes of love, beauty, mortality, and the passage of time.
These are just a few examples of Shakespeare’s poetic works. He is considered one of the greatest poets in the English language and has contributed greatly to the literary canon.
William Shakespeare’s Play
| Tragedies | Histories | Comedies | Romances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antony and Cleopatra | King John | All’s Well That Ends Well | Cymbeline |
| Coriolanus | Richard II | As You Like It | Pericles, Prince of Tyre |
| Hamlet | Henry IV, Part I | The Comedy of Errors | The Tempest |
| Julius Caesar | Henry IV, Part II | Love’s Labour’s Lost | The Two Gentlemen of Verona |
| King Lear | Henry V | Measure for Measure | The Winter’s Tale |
| Macbeth | Henry VI, Part I | The Merchant of Venice | |
| Othello | Henry VI, Part II | The Merry Wives of Windsor | |
| Romeo and Juliet | Henry VI, Part III | A Midsummer Night’s Dream | |
| Timon of Athens | Richard III | Much Ado About Nothing | |
| Titus Andronicus | The Taming of the Shrew | ||
| Troilus and Cressida | The Tempest |
Shakespeare’s plays are divided into four categories: tragedies, histories, comedies, and romances. Each category contains a different type of story and explores different themes and emotions. The plays have been performed for over 400 years and continue to captivate audiences with their timeless stories and characters.
Living Address and Creations
Shakespeare spent most of his career in London, where he wrote and performed for the Lord Chamberlain’s Men and later the King’s Men, two of the most prominent theatrical companies of the time. He also owned a home in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he retired in 1613 after a successful career in the theater.
In addition to his plays and sonnets, Shakespeare is also known for his contributions to the English language. He coined many new words and phrases that are still in use today, such as “all that glitters is not gold,” “break the ice,” and “wild-goose chase.” His influence on the English language is so great that his works are often used as a reference for the development of modern English.
William Shakespeare Books
| Name of the Book | Genre |
|---|---|
| Hamlet | Tragedy |
| Romeo and Juliet | Tragedy |
| Macbeth | Tragedy |
| King Lear | Tragedy |
| Othello | Tragedy |
| The Tempest | Romance |
| Julius Caesar | Tragedy |
| Antony and Cleopatra | Tragedy |
| Twelfth Night | Comedy |
| The Merchant of Venice | Comedy |
| A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Comedy |
| As You Like It | Comedy |
| Much Ado About Nothing | Comedy |
| The Taming of the Shrew | Comedy |
| Richard III | History |
| Henry V | History |
| Richard II | History |
| Henry IV, Part I | History |
| Henry IV, Part II | History |
| The Winter’s Tale | Romance |
These 20 plays are considered to be some of Shakespeare’s most notable and enduring works. From tragic tales of love and betrayal to comedic explorations of mistaken identity and romance, Shakespeare’s plays continue to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.
William Shakespeare’s most famous quotes
| Play Title | Quote | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Hamlet | “To be, or not to be: that is the question” | Hamlet is contemplating the value of life and whether it is better to endure the troubles of life or to end it. |
| Romeo and Juliet | “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” | Juliet is lamenting the fact that Romeo is a Montague, her family’s enemy, and suggests that a name is not important. |
| Macbeth | “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?” | Macbeth is hallucinating a dagger and questioning his own sanity before committing a murder. |
| Julius Caesar | “Et tu, Brute?” | Julius Caesar is shocked and betrayed that his close friend Brutus is among the conspirators who stab him to death. |
| A Midsummer Night’s Dream | “The course of true love never did run smooth” | This line refers to the difficulties and obstacles that lovers often face in their relationships. |
| The Tempest | “We are such stuff as dreams are made on“ | This line is spoken by Prospero, suggesting that our lives are fleeting and ephemeral, like dreams. |
| Othello | “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on” | This quote is spoken by Iago, warning Othello of the destructive power of jealousy. |
| King Lear | “Nothing will come of nothing” | This line is spoken by King Lear to his daughter Cordelia, implying that she will receive nothing from him if she does not profess her love for him. |
| The Merchant of Venice | “All that glitters is not gold” | This quote suggests that appearances can be deceiving and that things that look valuable may not be as valuable as they seem. |
| As You Like It | “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” | This line implies that our lives are like a play, with each person playing a different role. |
These are just a few examples of Shakespeare’s famous quotes. His works are filled with many memorable lines and phrases that have become a part of the English language.
William Wordsworth Poems
| Poem Title | Description |
|---|---|
| I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud | A poem that describes the beauty of nature and the feelings of joy and peace that it can inspire in us. Also known as “Daffodils.” |
| Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey | A reflection on the power of nature to inspire and renew our spirits. The poem describes a visit to Tintern Abbey and the memories it evokes. |
| The Prelude | A long autobiographical poem that explores Wordsworth’s development as a poet and his relationship with nature. It is considered one of his most important works. |
| Ode: Intimations of Immortality | A meditation on the loss of the innocence and wonder of childhood and the possibility of regaining it through our connection with nature. |
| She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways | A short poem that celebrates the beauty and simplicity of a woman who lived a quiet life in the countryside. |
| London, 1802 | A sonnet that laments the corruption and moral decay of society and calls for a return to the values and ideals of the past. |
| The World Is Too Much with Us | A sonnet that criticizes the materialism and spiritual emptiness of modern society and celebrates the restorative power of nature. |
| Tintern Abbey | A poem that describes the beauty of the Wye Valley and the restorative power of nature. It is a companion piece to “Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey.” |
| To a Butterfly | A short poem that describes the delicate beauty of a butterfly and reflects on the fleeting nature of life. |
These are just a few examples of Wordsworth’s poetic works. He is considered one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era and has contributed greatly to the literary canon.
Conclusion
In conclusion, William Shakespeare was a remarkable writer whose plays and sonnets continue to captivate audiences around the world. His influence on literature, language, and culture is immeasurable, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of writers and artists. Therefore, to clarify, his early years and family life are shrouded in mystery, but his career and legacy are a testament to his enduring talent and creativity. Meanwhile, his contributions to the English language and his influence on human experience make him one of the most important figures in the history of Western culture.