Will’s World

What’s to Come Shakespeare’s Bio Shakespeare’s World The Authorship Debate The Sonnets

Shakespeare’s Bio Born April 23, 1564 in Stratford upon- Avon Parents were John and Mary Middle class family of which little is known Attended Stratford Grammar School?

Marriage/Family Married Ann Hathaway on 11/28/1582 She was 27, he was 18 Ann gave birth to Susanna on 5/26/1583 (Do the math!)

Lost Years Many theories about this period Catholic underground and teaching? Deer poaching? Acting?

London 1592 Early success as a writer Turbulent times, Plague, Civil Unrest University wits and the “upstart crow”

The Sonnets Alternate income (plague) Dedicated to W.H. Addressees are a young man, a dark lady, and a rival poet 154 poems Earl of Southampton Henry Wriothesly

Authorship Debate Did Shakespeare really write those plays? Why is there a doubt? If not Shakespeare then who?

Reasons to Doubt? Will was middle class No university education Limited traveling Name spelled differently on some documents

Then Who Wrote Them? Oxfordians contend that it is none other than…

Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford Member of the Royal Court 2 Masters Degrees from Oxford University by 17 Traveled extensively Not allowed to write plays

Another Contender Christopher Marlowe Cambridge and Canterbury London’s most successful playwrite until his murder in a pub in 1593 Ghostwriter?

Most Scholars Agree Debate is only conjecture and conspiracy theory Moot (mock) trial held in 1987 with three Supreme Court Justices Stratfordians 3 Oxfordians 0

Shakespeare’s England Elizabeth reverted the country back to the Church of England Catholic to Protestant to Catholic to Protestant in 12 years. James I in 1603

Will The Businessman Co-founder of The Globe 1599 Open-air Groundlings Burned in 1613 during a play Rebuilt and closed permanently in 1642

The Globe Women not allowed on stage As You Like It has a boy playing a girl playing a boy playing a girl!

Retirement 1611? Left London with fame, money, and a family crest Moved back to Stratford (New Place) Wealthy landowner

Death April 23, 1616 Died of a “fever” contracted after “a merry meeting” Death leads to some questions…

Death 1616 Interesting last will “Second best bed” Nothing literary Tombstone “unshakespearean”

He was not of an age but, for all time. -Ben Jonson

The End