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1557
Parents marriage
Williams parents, Mary and John Shakespeare got married in 1557. His mother came from a wealthy, higher class status while his father was a tenant farmer on her families property, which is how they met. John worked varies jobs and was involved with the town council and was a business man. However, he lost his fortune and fell on hard times, cause is unknown. -
1564
The birth of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born on April 1564 in Stratford-upon-avon, England. Although his exact birthdate is not recorded, most celebrate him on April 23rd. Among his 6 siblings, he is the oldest surviving one. -
Apr 26, 1564
Baptism
William's baptism is recorded to have happened on April 26, 1564. In the Parish Register at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon. Many baptisms took place three days within the arrival of the newborn. With this in mind, many people found it unlikey for Shakespeare to be born any earlier than the 23rd. That's why they celebrate his birthday on the 23rd of April. -
Period: 1569 to
Coat of Arms
In 1569, Williams dad, John Shakespeare sought a Coat of Arms for his family. For 27 years he was unsuccessful in gaining one but he finally did in 1596. It was most likely due to Williams rising career/ status and position. The Shakespeare Coat of Arms bears the motto “Non Sanz Droict” or “Not without right”. -
Period: 1571 to 1578
Education
Although there are no records indicating where William went to school, the most believed answer is that he went to King Edward VI Grammar School in Stratford-upon-Avon. It was the closest school to home, boys only and free. He attended from the age of 7 to 14, after the age of 14 boys would go off to attend university but William didn't due to his father financial situation. In school he was expected to converse in latin and be able to translate back and forth. Overall, it was a strict zone. -
Marriage
William married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582. William was 18 years old and Anne was 26 years old. They were married till Williams death. -
Firstborn child
6 months after their wedding they had their firstborn Susanna. She was the eldest and was baptized on May 26th 1583. She went on to marry John Hall in 1607 and had one child, Elizabeth in 1608. -
Twin Children
Three years later Anne had twins, Hamnet and Judith. They were baptized on February 2nd, 1585. Hamnet unfortunately died at the age of 11, cause unknown. While Judith went on to marry Thomas Quiney in 1616. After that they didn't have anymore children. -
Period: to
The Lost Years
There is no record or evidence of what William did during the years 1585-1592. It is known as "The Lost Years". Many theories include that he was a schoolmaster, a traveling actor, a deer poacher, a soldier, a lawyer’s clerk, or that he travelled to other countries where he gained knowledge for his plays. Of course no one knows for certain and these are just theories. -
Period: to
Henry VI part I, II, III
Henry VI part I, Henry VI part II, Henry VI part III were the earliest of plays by William. They are based on English history, specifically varies wars in England called the War of Roses between two rival houses. The House of Lancaster (red rose) and the House of York (white rose). The king of House Lancaster, Henry VI, reigned during the 14th century till House of York tried to reign as well, resulting in conflicts between personal motives and greed. In the end, neither houses won. -
London establishment.
By 1592, Williams career was established in London and his first plays included Henry VI Part 1, Henry VI Part 2, Henry VI Part 3, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Titus Andronicus. These plays are debated between which one he actually wrote first. -
Richard III
The play Richard III was published in 1597, following the Henry VI plays. He's described as having a physical deformity, a desire to gain the English throne and making sure he gets to it no matter who or what gets in his way.Throughout the play he commits varies murders within his family, and anyone who might stand in his way of securing the crown. However he maintains his image and becomes king. Things go downhill, he is killed by Henry Tudor, who becomes King Henry VII ending the War of Roses. -
Period: to
Lifes Work
Throughout 1592-1616 William authored about 38 plays. His most popular and famous hits were Hamlet, Macbeth, Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, King Lear, Othello, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, and The Merchant of Venice. -
Period: to
The Plague
William lived most of his life during the plague. Most of his plays were written during it. They were multiple outbreaks during the time he was alive. -
Romeo and Juliet
A well know play where two lovers from rival families fall in love and end in tragedy. Many tragic things happen, like Romeo being the cause of death for her cousin, Tybalt. This causes Romeo to be banished from Verona, Juliet desperately wants to be with him so she gets her hands on a potion that will temporary stop her heart, faking her death. Romeo however thinks she's dead and drinks poison, Juliet wakes up, sees him dead, and stabs herself. Tragic deaths reconcile their warring families. -
Midsummer Night's Dream
Midsummer Night's Dream a play based on love, magic and comedy. The scene is in a magical forest, four lovers go into a magical forest and are affected by the spells of fairies that cause confusion and problems. Hermia is in love with Lysander but her father wants her to marry Demetrius who is in love with her. Helena is in love with Demetrius. The fairy king and queen make them fall in and out of love with the wrong people, its a mess. The magic does get undone and they return to Athens normal. -
New Place Home
By 1592 William had made quite a name for himself, he was a playwright in London and was the author of at least 7 plays. By 1597 he was really wealthy and bought a family home back in his birthplace called ‘New Place’, or ‘the Great House’. It had about 20-30 rooms and was overall just a big piece to show how successful William was. -
Hamlet
Hamlet is one of Williams most famous/popular play, made in 1600-1601. It's called a tragedy where a prince of Denmark, Hamlet seeks revenge on his uncle Claudius for murdering his father. His uncle goes on to marry his mother and Hamlet finds the truth to his fathers murder by his father's ghost. Throughout, Hamlet faces difficulty and confusion but he ends up taking lives, including his mothers. In the end Hamlet does murder his uncle but he is lost as well. Another prince takes over Denmark. -
Macbeth
Macbeth is another one of Williams greatest hits as well as another tragedy. Macbeth a Scottish general receives a prophecy from three witches that he will be king of Scotland. He's driven by ambition, his wife and the want, he murders King Duncan and takes over. However, his reign is the opposite of fair and peaceful, he is consumed by his own thoughts, leading him to murder more people. His reign ended and so did his life at the hands of Macduff who restores order in Scotland. -
Period: to
New Place aftermath
After Williams death, all properties were passed down to his eldest daughter Susanna and her husband. The couple and Anne continued to live there till her death in 1623. Afterwards, Shakespeare's only grandchild, Elizabeth, inherited. Elizabeth died childless in 1670, and Shakespeare’s line of descent ended. In the 17th century, there was a new house built there. Reverend Francis Gastrell finally demolished the house in 1759. Now, a garden stands there to commemorate the importance of the site. -
The death of William Shakespeare
Williams death is recorded to have happened on April 23rd, 1616, he died at the age of 52. However the cause is unknown. He died inside his home. His gravestone reads, ''Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare, To digg the dust encloased heare, Blest by the man that spares these stones, And curst be he that moves my bones.' His monument is still standing inside the Holy Trinity Church in his place of birth. -
Anne's Death
Anne Hathaway also known as Anne Shakespeare on August 6th, 1623. She's buried next to her husband in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon. There's no record of the reason of death but it was likely of old age. -
Lucille Lortel Award
Although William never won any awards while he was alive since the concept didn't really exist at the time. His play Othello was nominated for the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Revival. Along with other plays being nominated but not winning an official title. However they are recognized as excellent plays and great life work.