"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts...” As You Like It, Act II, Scene 7, 139–42

Early Life Born to John and Mary in Stratford-upon-Avon. Birthday unknown, often celebrated April 23 rd 1564 Education is unknown. Probably attended free local school – would have had intensive grammar/Latin education.

"We are such stuff as dreams are made on, rounded with a little sleep.” The Tempest

Shotgun wedding y’all Shakespeare (18) married Anne Hathaway (26) in a quickie ceremony in Their daughter Susanna was born six months later, twins soon followed. Boy died at 11 years old.

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer's lease hath all too short a date.” Sonnet 18

Shakespeare’s ‘Lost Period’ saw almost no trace of William Shakespeare. By 1592, the first plays of Shakespeare are being performed on London’s stages: Richard III, Henry VI series and The Comedy of Errors.

Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love And I'll no longer be a Capulet. Romeo and Juliet

Theater of the time Groups of actors would travel and perform at various venues around London. Shakespeare’s plays were performed exclusively by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (under Elizabeth I rule) later renamed The King’s Men (under King James I who became its patron).

"If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” The Merchant of Venice

The Globe In 1599, the company built their own theatre on the River Thames named The Globe. Shakespeare’s investments in the theatre and company made him quite wealthy. By 1598, his name appeared on title pages as a selling point.

Wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful! and yet again wonderful, and after that, out of all hooping! As You Like It

Later Life Shakespeare was a principal actor in many of his plays, but the specific roles are unknown. He divided time between London and Stratford until approx when the plague ravaged London and playhouses closed. He retired (as an actor) to Stratford. No plays are attributed to him after 1613.

"The course of true love never did run smooth.” A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Death Shakespeare died on April 23 rd at age 52. No knowledge of how he died is available, though his will, signed a month earlier, noted he was in ‘perfect health.’ Bulk of his estate was left to his daughters.

"Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” MacBeth

Burial Curse Buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. The epitaph carved into the stone gives a curse for moving his bones. When the church was restored in 2008, they heeded this warning: Good frend for Iesvs sake forbeare, To digg the dvst encloased heare. Bleste be man spares thes stones, And cvrst be he moves my bones.

William Shakespeare 38 plays, 154 sonnets, 2 narrative poems. Iambic Pentameter Common words and phrases