Shakespeare Notes

William Shakespeare was born in April 23, 1564, in Stratford- Upon- Avon. His parents were John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. His mother was the daughter of a wealthy land owner. His father glove manufacturer and public official.

He was third of 8 children. His sisters Joan and Margaret, died from the Black Plague. His brother Gilbert, was a tradesman. His sister Anne died at age 8. His brothers Richard and Edmund became actors. He had 2 sisters named Joan.

William attended Stratford Grammar School, also known as the King’s New School. He left school around the age of 14-15. ( Reports are conflicting on the age.)

He married Anne Hathaway in November of 1582. She was 26 and he was 18. Their first daughter Susanna was born in May of 1583. The twins, Hamnet and Judith, were born in 1585

The years of 1585-1592, were known as Shakespeare’s Lost Years The years of 1585-1592, were known as Shakespeare’s Lost Years. Not much is know about his life during that time. It is believed that he may have been a teacher. He did appear in the theater in 1592.

In 1593, Henry Wrothsley became his patron. A patron is someone who supported an artist as long as the artist produced work for the patron. He worked for Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later known as The King’s Men.

In 1596, Hamnet died at age 11. In 1599, the Globe Theater was built. Julius Caesar was the first play performed at The Globe. The Globe burned down in 1613 during a production of Henry VIII.

Shakespeare retired from the theater in 1610 and returned to Stratford. He died on April 23, 1616, at age 52. He is buried underneath the floor of Holy Trinity Church.

Works In 1593, Shakespeare wrote the first of several long poems- “Venus and Adonius” an “Rape of Lucrece” In 1601, he published another long poem: “ The Phoenix and the Turtle.” He published 154 sonnets in 1609. Romeo and Juliet was written between 1594-1596.

In 1623, Shakespeare’s First Folio was published. This included- 154 sonnets 37 plays 3 long poems

Comedies The Comedy of Errors (1590-1594) The Taming of the Shrew (1590-1594) The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1590-1594) As You like It (1595-1600) The Merchant of Venice (1595-1600) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595-1600) Twelfth Night (1595-1600) Much Ado About Nothing ( 1595-1600)

Tragedies Antony and Cleopatra (1601-1608) Othello (1601-1608) King Lear (1601-1608) Cori0lanus (1601-1608) Titus Andronicus (1590-1594) Julius Caesar (1595-1600) Macbeth (1601-1608) Hamlet (1601-1608)

Histories Henry VIII (1609-1613) Richard II (1609-1613) Richard III (1590-1594) Henry IV 1,2 (1595-1600) King John (1590-1594)