Biography
Biography of william shakespeare pdf: William Shakespeare, often hailed as the greatest dramatist of all time, was an influential English poet, playwright, and actor from the Renaissance era. Born around April 23, , in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, he became a prominent member of the King's Men theatrical company by the mids.
Scholars speculate he attended the King's New School in Stratford, where he would have been exposed to a curriculum that included reading, writing, and Latin—an essential foundation for a budding playwright. Shakespeare likely attended this school until approximately age 15, after which he did not continue to university. This lack of formal higher education has spurred debate and skepticism about his literary accomplishments, leading some to question whether someone of his background could produce such profound works.
Nevertheless, the educational experience he did receive may have equipped him with a solid grasp of the classical works and languages that would inform his writing. Shakespeare played a crucial role as both an actor and a playwright, working diligently to develop a diverse repertoire. His proficiency in creating engaging characters and compelling storylines quickly distinguished him from other playwrights of the time.
By the late s, Shakespeare had written several celebrated plays, and his popularity continued to soar, drawing audiences from all walks of life. As he ventured deeper into his career, his works evolved, showcasing a mastery of language, plot intricacy, and the ability to explore a wide range of human emotions. William Shakespeare's influence on the world of theater is immeasurable, making him a towering figure in the history of drama.
His works, which include approximately 37 plays, sonnets, and 2 narrative poems, have captivated audiences for over four centuries, showcasing a profound understanding of human emotion and conflict. As a prominent member of the King's Men, the most celebrated theatrical company of his time, Shakespeare not only performed but also wrote many of the plays that defined the Renaissance era.
His ability to blend history, tragedy, and comedy has left a lasting imprint on both English literature and global theater. Shakespeare's innovations in storytelling, character development, and language have transformed the landscape of drama. By using blank verse and crafting intricate plots, he set new standards for narrative complexity and emotional depth.
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His ability to write in various genres allowed him to appeal to diverse audiences, establishing a theatrical legacy that persists today. As for William and Anne, it is believed that the couple lived apart for most of the year while the bard pursued his writing and theater career in London. It was not until the end of his life that Shakespeare moved back in with Anne in their Stratford home.
Historians have speculated that he worked as a schoolteacher, studied law, traveled across continental Europe or joined an acting troupe that was passing through Stratford. Whatever the answer, by Shakespeare had begun working as an actor, penned several plays and spent enough time in London to write about its geography, culture and diverse personalities with great authority.
Even his earliest works evince knowledge of European affairs and foreign countries, familiarity with the royal court and general erudition that might seem unattainable to a young man raised in the provinces by parents who were probably illiterate.
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For this reason, some theorists have suggested that one or several authors wishing to conceal their true identity used the person of William Shakespeare as a front. Most scholars and literary historians dismiss this hypothesis, although many suspect Shakespeare sometimes collaborated with other playwrights. Farewell: my blessing season this in thee!
During his lifetime, Shakespeare was not without controversy, but he also received lavish praise for his plays which were very popular and commercially successful. His plays have retained an enduring appeal throughout history and the world. Some of his most popular plays include:. Shakespeare died in ; it is not clear how he died, and numerous suggestions have been put forward.
John Ward, the local vicar of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford where Shakespeare is buried , writes in a diary account that:. The average life expectancy of someone born in London, England in the Sixteenth Century was about 35 years old, Shakespeare died age They contend Shakespeare was actually just a successful businessman, and for authorship suggest names such as Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford.
Arguments have also been made for Francis Bacon. The argument that Shakespeare was actually the Earl of Oxford relies on circumstantial evidence and similarities in his writing style and relationships between his life and the play of Shakespeare.
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However, there is no hard evidence tying the Earl of Oxford to the theatre or writing the scripts. By contrast, there is evidence of William Shakespeare working in theatres and he received a variety of criticism from people such as Ben Johnson and Robert Greene. Owning the playhouse proved to be a financial boon for Shakespeare and the other investors.
The company quickly rebuilt it, and it reopened the next year. In , Puritans outlawed all theaters, including the Globe, which was demolished two years later. Centuries passed until American actor Sam Wanamaker began working to resurrect the theater once more. The third Globe Theater opened in , and today, more than 1. Some plays blur these lines, and over time, our interpretation of them has changed, too.
However, Shakespeare was very innovative, adapting the traditional style to his own purposes and creating a freer flow of words. With only small degrees of variation, Shakespeare primarily used a metrical pattern consisting of lines of unrhymed iambic pentameter, or blank verse, to compose his plays. At the same time, there are passages in all the plays that deviate from this and use forms of poetry or simple prose.
Download our complete William Shakespeare Study Guide for free to explore the key themes and characters from three of his most important plays. Download Free Study Guide. Character in Othello , King Lear , and Macbeth present vivid impressions of human temperament that are timeless and universal. Possibly the best known of these plays is Hamlet , which explores betrayal, retribution, incest, and moral failure.
Shakespeare wrote comedies throughout his career, including his first play The Taming of the Shrew. Some of his comedies might be better described as tragicomedies. Although graver in tone than the comedies, they are not the dark tragedies of King Lear or Macbeth because they end with reconciliation and forgiveness. Additional Shakespeare comedies include:.
Shakespeare is known to have created plays with other writers, such as John Fletcher. They also collaborated on Cardenio , a play which was not preserved. When including these works, Shakespeare has 41 plays to his name.
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Around the turn of the 17 th century, Shakespeare became a more extensive property owner in Stratford. When his father, John, died in , he inherited the family home. Then, in , he purchased about acres for pounds. In , Shakespeare purchased leases of real estate near Stratford for pounds, which doubled in value and earned him 60 pounds a year.
This made him an entrepreneur as well as an artist, and scholars believe these investments gave him uninterrupted time to write his plays.