WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE The Bard – World’s Greatest Writer The famous Chandos Portrait

The Droeshout Engraving Engraving in the Famous First Folio edition done by Martin Droeshout

Stanley Wells of the Shakespeare Trust with The Cobbe Portrait

Biographical Data Birth Date: Place of Birth: April 23, 1564 * Stratford Upon Avon Feast of St. George Shakespeare’s Birthplace as it stands today

Parents John Shakespeare Mary Arden A Glover Rose to become Chief Burgess Fell out of Political Grace. Mary Arden Daughter of well-to-do nearby Farming Gentry William Shakespeare had Brothers and Sisters

Glover’s Workshop At the Shakespeare Trust

Childhood Home of Shakespeare’s Mother - Mary Arden

Marriage & Family Wife – Anne Hathaway Three Children: Wife Ann is 26 years old to Shakespeare’s 18 years. First child is born 6 months after marriage. Three Children: Suzanne The twins: Hamnet Judith

Early London Years Composed Plays: Comedies and Histories Sharply Criticized by Robert Greene

Comedy: Much Ado about Nothing

History: Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 Henry V

Early Years – London Composed Sonnets Most likely composed when the theaters were closed by plague. 1592 Addressed to… The dashing Young Earl of Southampton, his Patron. The Dark Lady – Perhaps a Mistress in London.

The Globe Theater - Southwerk

The Globe Theater - Southwerk

The Globe Theater - Southwerk

The Globe Theater –Original site Behind the wall & marker, Archaeologist strive to learn about the original Globe.

Maturation as an Artist Upon the death of his son Hamnet, Shakespeare becomes more reflective, and his themes become deeper. His greatest Tragedies come late in his career: Othello Hamlet King Lear Macbeth

The Four Major Tragedies

His Last Play The Tempest Shakespeare Composes his final play, The Tempest In this work, his magician Prospero, is to end his career and burn his books. A parallel to Shakespeare’s retirement.

Retirement Shakespeare retires from his London Career and returns to Stratford a relatively wealthy man of significant high status. He builds the finest home in Stratford which he calls “New Place”.

New Place New Place, is the site of Shakespeare's former home, and is now occupied by this garden. The house that once stood here has been demolished, but was originally one of the grandest in Stratford, and was bought by Shakespeare at the height of his success. He lived here after his return from London, until his death.

Death of Shakespeare April 23, 1616 He dies, according to tradition, following a night out drinking with friends who came up from London. Supposedly a bad batch of pickled herrings seems to blame for his death. In a strange behest, he wills his wife, Anne, his second best bed. He is buried inside of Holy Trinity Church. This is due to his service to the church, not due to his fame as a playwright.

The Will of Will

Shakespeare Buried inside of Holy Trinity Church - Stratford

Shakespeare’s Epitaph

The End