by Augustine Bauer

Created on: September 21, 2009   Last Updated: January 15, 2010

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564. His father was a successful merchant and the family would have lived comfortably. It has been suggested that Shakespeare probably received an education at the grammar school in Stratford. It is known that Shakespeare never received a college education; so all the knowledge of Ancient Greek and Roman cultures displayed in his plays must have been picked up during his school years. His mastery of vocabulary and language must also have been learnt in grammar school.

It seems that the young Shakespeare was far from saintly. He was very fond of poaching, and some historians have surmised that his move to London may have been to escape punishment for his poaching misdeeds. Also, his wife, Anne Hathaway, was already pregnant with their first child when he married her.

Either way, the move to London soon saw Shakespeare established as a well-known playwright, actor, and entrepreneur. He wrote and acted for the Lord Chamberlain's Men theatre company and later became a managing partner of the then popular company. He also had his plays published and sold as works of literature; this was very unusual for playwrights of the time.

Lord Chamberlain's Men erected the Globe Theatre in 1598, after they were evicted from their previous location so their landlord could 'put the land to better use'. There was some controversy, as the theatre troupe took the timbers from their previous theatre to use in building the new. This angered their landlord. However, they owned the theatre and there was a clause in their contract allowing them to dissemble the building themselves if it was going to be taken down, so they won the case in court.

Shakespeare ended his days with enough money to buy New House and retire in comfort to his birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare died in 1616 in Stratford-upon-Avon, and is buried in Holy Trinity Church. In 1664 a local vicar recorded that the cause of his death had been too much drink. Legend also holds that he both died and was born upon Saint George's Day, April 23rd.

Whatever is known or unknown about his life, it cannot be denied that Shakespeare was a master of his craft: one of the finest writers to put pen to paper and one of the most melodic poets to use the English language. His prose and plays reflect real life and make us think deeply about our own emotions, thoughts, and actions.

"All the World's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players:

They have their exits and the entrances;

And one man in his time

Plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages."

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