Shakespeare's Life Matt Hughes, Johnny McGarry, Joseph Brown, Joey Fazio

Memorial bust of Shakespeare at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford

Stratford Beginnings William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. It is nearly certain that Shakespeare attended the King’s New School in Stratford. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway. They had 3 children including Susanna (1853), and twins Judith & Hamnet (1585). Sometime thereafter, Shakespeare left for London and was a prominent figure by the 1590s. Painting of Shakespeare’s birthplace

Painting of Stratford portraying the church, the river, and the mill.

Success in London As of 1592, Shakespeare gained some popularity as an actor and a playright and in 1593, became a published poet. In 1594, Shakespeare was a leading contributor to the King’s Men, an acting company in London. Shakespeare wrote his most famous plays, such as Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet, and King Richard II and his sonnets in the 1590s. Shakespeare’s Tragedy, King Richard II

Hand-color engraving of London in 1574

An Expansive Age When Shakespeare was writing his plays, it was one of the most exciting times in English history. North and South America were both discovered and occupied. In 1609, Galileo’s telescope allowed people to understand that the universe seemed to shift and expand. London was rapidly expanding. As Shakespeare lived there, it grew into a large metropolis. Early map of the Americas at the time of Shakespeare

The Final Years After his success in London, Shakespeare moved back to Stratford-upon-Avon with his wife at around Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 in Stratford. After his death, his plays were collected and published in a work entitled “The First Folio” Church in Stratford-upon-Avon

Questioning Shakespeare’s Authorship Some people believe that Shakespeare could not have written all of his plays. Possible alternative authors include Queen Elizabeth, Sir Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe, and Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford.

Works Cited Mowat, Barbara A., and Paul Werstine. "Shakespeare's Life." Folger Shakespeare Library. Folger Shakespeare Library, Web. 25 Apr Unknown artist after the Chandos portrait. Shakespeare signboard. Oil on panel, late 1600s to early 1700s. Shelfmark FPs9. Ainsworth, Julie. Shakespeare Memorial Bust. N.d., Holy Trinity Church. Folger Shakespeare Library. Web. 29 Apr Phoebe Dighton. The exterior of the house in which Shakespeare was born. Watercolor, Shelfmark ART Vol. d61 no. 22a. James Robinson Planche. Stratford church, river, and mill. Watercolor, 19th century. Shelfmark ART Vol. d76 no.3b. London, from Civitates Orbis Terrarum. Hand-colored engraving, Shakespeare. Richard II. London, 1598.

Works Cited (Cont’d) John Chessell Buckler. A south-east view of the exterior of Stratford Church. Watercolor, Shelfmark ART Vol. d58 no.15.