William Shakespeare of Stratford-On-Avon; An Essay

The Shakespeare that is known today was an author, (what we call a playwright. )of many dramatic plays and works, such as Romeo and Juliet, Two Gentleman of Verona, The Tempest, and many others. Shakespeare was born on Henley Street, Stratford in England in the year 1564. His father, John Shakespeare was a prosperous glover, who made leather gloves, and also sold wool and barley. John was also one of Stratford’s leading men and was elected to City Council, and became a bailiff, or Mayor of Stratford. But he was then voted down because of a debt he had not paid. Shakespeare went to ‘petty school’ when he was four(A private school for boys and girls). The purpose of going to school in those days was to learn Latin. At that time, one needed to know Latin to be able to go to the University in order to follow a career of either politics, medicine, teaching, law, or Clergy. William Shakespeare in “As You Like It,” wrote, “And then the whining schoolboy, With his satchel, and shining morning face, creeping like a snail unwillingly to school.” William Shakespeare at age eighteen, married Anne Hathaway who was eight years older than her husband. They were married in 1582. Shortly after, Anne gave birth to Susanna Shakespeare, and finally twins. Now William had a wife and three little children to provide for. Shakespeare bought a large, and expensive house in Stratford in 1597. This gave his wife and children a home, and also proved he had cleared his father’s debt which brought a calm over the family. His father’s business was not going well, and he needed to earn a living. THis might have been the reason why he left Stratford for London. In 1592 he started writing plays in London, touring theater companies, and finding his career. Shakespeare is thought to have been an actor, but at this he was not as successful as his plays were. Some people thought that the play’s were written by his rival, Christopher Marlo who was murdered. But this we know is not true for why have the plays come down to us all in Shakespeare's name? In 1599 Shakespeare’s plays took off, and were acted at the Globe Theater which was an extreme honor. Along with many member’s of his theater company, The Chamberlin’s Men, Shakespeare owned a share in the Globe’s profits, which gave him a lot of money. He died in 1616, at the age of fifty-two. Religion in the 16th century was a discussion which caused a lot of disagreements, fights, and even torturing. Protestant's and Catholic’s bumped heads and it took a long time for it to settle down. The Puritan’s disapproved of Shakespeare's works as they had character’s who murdered, sought love, and were poisoned. In this way the Puritans were sensible. Most of Shakespeare's works were filled with bloody duels, and sadness. But it is this which is the cause of all the crowds which came from far and wide to see the famous playwright come out on stage and bow. So from then on he was a famous playwright in London. He wrote poetry as well which brought wonderment from all. Truly he was no ordinary man! We know that he probably didn’t leave Anne and his children without a provider because in his will he left her his second best bed. But what happened to her, I have not found out yet. He has invented over two thousand words, that had some insults that included, boot-licker and hogs-head. He brought enjoyment, sadness, drama, excitement, to all the world today. As Shakespeare has said, “All the Worlds a stage, and the men and woman merely players...”

A map of England. For homework we were to freelance the map and then color it, outlining the river thames with utmost respect. We are studying Shakespeare this year, we haven't really taken it seriously since this year, and so we are really exited with all the information we have picked up. Our favorite play so far has been Much Ado about Nothing, I love The Winter's Tale,And Twelfth Night is an absolute favorite