The Life and Times of William Shakespeare

Have you ever heard ….. “Many a truth was said in jest!” “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” “Dead as a door nail-” (I hope you’ve heard this one!) “What the dickens!” “To be or not to be, that is the question.”

These are all quotes by William Shakespeare!! Did he ever guess that he would still have such a large audience?

Biographical Information Born on April 23, 1564 Born on April 23, 1564 Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon Son of illiterate parents Son of illiterate parents Father : John Shakespeare- a glove maker Father : John Shakespeare- a glove maker Mother : the 3 rd of 8 children from a Catholic family Mother : the 3 rd of 8 children from a Catholic family

Biographical Information Loved reading, hunting, athletics, chess, and skinny dipping in the River Avon! Loved reading, hunting, athletics, chess, and skinny dipping in the River Avon! Married Anne Hathaway at 18 years old- (She was 8 years older and there were rumors that she was “with child.”) Married Anne Hathaway at 18 years old- (She was 8 years older and there were rumors that she was “with child.”)

Shakespeare’s Babies and Escape Susanna was born in Susanna was born in Two years later, the twins were born: Hamnet and Judith Two years later, the twins were born: Hamnet and Judith Unclear history: Late 1580’s -He left for London leaving his wife and children behind. Unclear history: Late 1580’s -He left for London leaving his wife and children behind.

Shakespeare’s Work He lived in London for several years. He lived in London for several years. His first play was The Comedy of Errors in 1592, and his first poem was “Venus and Adonis” in His first play was The Comedy of Errors in 1592, and his first poem was “Venus and Adonis” in became a shareholder in a company of actors called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men became a shareholder in a company of actors called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

Shakespeare’s Work 1595 wrote Romeo and Juliet wrote Romeo and Juliet James became the King of England and changed the company of actors to “The King’s Men.” 1603 James became the King of England and changed the company of actors to “The King’s Men.” He returned home in He returned home in 1612.

He died in a beautiful home at age 52 on his birthday! April 23, 1616

Look What He Accomplished! Shakespeare wrote 37 plays! Shakespeare wrote 37 plays! Histories Histories Comedies Comedies Tragedies Tragedies And 154 sonnets And 154 sonnets 2 long narrative poems 2 long narrative poems

Remember as you read… …that Shakespeare’s plays are timeless! …that Shakespeare’s plays are timeless! …that human beings have not changed that much. Their motives and aspirations are generally the same. …that human beings have not changed that much. Their motives and aspirations are generally the same.

All the world’s a stage…..