Venus and Adonis

The life of William Shakespeare, arguably the most significant figure in the Western literary canon, is relatively unknown. Even the exact date of his birth is uncertain. April 23rd is generally accepted to be the date of his birth, but is most probably a scholarly mistake and amplified by it also being the day of his death.

Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1565 and baptised there on the 26th April. He was the third of eight children and the eldest surviving son.

It’s assumed he attended a nearby grammar school, the King’s New School, but no records from the time still exist. But a standardised curriculum did exist which included, by royal decree, Latin. For Shakespeare that language was to unlock historical materials that he needed to research his plays.

At 18 he married Anne Hathaway, his senior by 8 years. The marriage in November 1582 was arranged and conducted in some haste and, six months later, Susanna was born.

Apart from a small legal reference and the birth of his twins, Hamnet and Judith, nothing appears on Shakespeare’s life or career until a decade later. These are known as his ‘Lost years’.

In London his early works were criticised for being as someone who was writing in the style of his better educated contemporaries and not from his own lower status. His words and works soon vanquished such petty snobbish critics.

By 1594 the Lord Chamberlain’s Men had recognised his abilities as a playwright and were performing his works. With his narratives and verse they rapidly established themselves as London’s leading company of players. With the ascent of a new king, James I, in 1603 they were awarded a royal patent and changed their name to the King’s Men.

As well as his famed plays, his poetry, especially his 154 sonnets, are magnificent examples of the poetic art. Despite his hectic life he also found time to act. It appears that even before he began writing he was an established and well-regarded actor on the London stage and later often acted in his own productions.

Shakespeare’s plays were printed from 1594, it was only later that more accurate printings would display his true genius to the world. Within a few years, despite many efforts to pirate his work, Shakespeare’s name was so well known that it had already become a selling point in its own right. It also meant status and wealth.

No plays are attributed to Shakespeare after 1613, and those he wrote immediately before this time were with collaborators, one of whom, John Fletcher, succeeded him as the house playwright for the King’s Men.

In early 1616 his daughter Judith married. A few weeks later Shakespeare signed his last will and testament.

William Shakespeare died on the April 23rd, 1616, survived by his wife and two daughters. He was 52.

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