Born April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon Died April 23, 1616 Eldest son of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden Married Anne Hathaway William and Anne had 3 children: Susanna, the eldest, and twins, Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died in 1596 at the age of eleven.

Anne Hathaway’s House – Shakespeare’s Wife

Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Nash’s House – Shakespeare’s Residence from 1597-death in 1616

Nash’s House

Hall’s Croft - Home of Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna, and her husband, Dr. Hall

Shakespeare’s Final Resting Place

Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and four major poems. His plays are divided into three categories: tragedy, comedy, and history. First play thought to be Henry VI Part One Last play is The Tempest Timeline

Five Acts Scenes in each act Abides by the three Classical Unities Action, Time, Place * Preview Text *

Begins in order, ends in disorder. Expresses a rejection of life The persons and issues are often exalted Begins in disorder, ends in order (often marriage) Celebrates life Often centers on the middle class

Shakespeare eventually became the most popular playwright in England and part-owner of the Globe Theater. His career bridged the reigns of Elizabeth I (ruled 1558–1603) and James I (ruled 1603–1625), and he was a favorite of both monarchs. Indeed, James granted Shakespeare’s company the greatest possible compliment by bestowing upon its members the title of King’s Men.

Macbeth Shakespeare’s shortest and bloodiest tragedy. Macbeth was most likely written in 1606, early in the reign of James I, who had been James VI of Scotland before he succeeded to the English throne in James was a patron of Shakespeare’s acting company, and of all the plays Shakespeare wrote under James’s reign, Macbeth most clearly reflects the playwright’s close relationship with the sovereign.