The Life and Times of
William Shakespeare
|
|
Year
|
Life
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1564
|
William
Shakespeare is born. The exact day of his birth is unknown, but many believe
it to be April 23 because in that time, baptisms had to take place a few days
after birth and his baptism was recorded to be April 26.
|
1565-1581
|
Shakespeare
attended the Stratford Grammar School. Length of attendance at the school is
unknown.
Richard Burbage, the actor who would later portray many of
Shakespeare’s famous characters, is born. James Burbage, father of Richard, builds The Theatre. |
1582
|
Shakespeare
married Anne Hathaway on November 28.
She is eight years older than him.
|
1583
|
Anne
and William’s first daughter, Susanna is born and baptized on May 26.
The Queens Company
is also formed in London. |
1585
|
Anne
and William have twins, Judith and Hamnet. The twins are named after two of
Shakespeare’s closest friends.
|
1587-1592
|
This
time frame is known as the ‘lost years.’ Not much is known about Shakespeare
from after the twins’ birth until 1592. Shakespeare did leave Stratford
during this time and moved to London to establish himself as a playwright and
actor.
|
1592
|
Groats-worth of Witte,
written by Robert Greene, refers to Shakespeare’s rise to fame in London and
is the first documented evidence of him since the twins’ baptism.
|
1594
|
Shakespeare
created The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, an acting group that had performed at The
Theatre. Shakespeare became co-owner/manager of The Theatre.
|
1594-1596
|
In
this time, Shakespeare produces many of his greatest works and becomes the
leading London playwright.
Hamnet Shakespeare
dies at age 11. |
1597-1599
|
Shakespeare
continues to write many great plays and becomes the principal actor of The
Lord Chamberlain’s Men. He helps to make The Lord Chamberlain’s Men the most popular
acting group in London. Shakespeare also become financially stable in this
time and purchases a new home in Stratford. Shakespeare also helps to build
his most famous theater, The Globe. He becomes the shareholder and earns 10%
of its profits.
|
1600-1608
|
Tragedies
become very popular in this time and Shakespeare produces many of his most
popular tragedies. Many different things occurred in Shakespeare’s life at
this time:
1601- Shakespeare’s father died. 1603- The Lord Chamberlain’s Men came to be known as The
King’s Men. 1607- Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna, marries. 1608- Shakespeare’s mother died. Throughout these years, Shakespeare continues to purchase real estate in Stratford. |
1609-1611
|
This
period was known as the period of romances and Shakespeare reverted back to
his style of magic and enchantment in his writing, similar to that of A
Midsummer Night’s Dream.
|
1612-1616
|
Shakespeare
retires and moves back to Stratford.
His other daughter,
Judith, marries in 1616. Shakespeare grows
ill and revises his will. Shakespeare dies on April 23, 1616 and is buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. |
“We
know what we are, but know not what we may become.”
~ William Shakespeare |
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