Shakespeare

The Bard Is Born

Apr 26, 1564

William Shakespeare is born in Stratford-upon-Avon to John and Mary Arden Shakespeare. The fourth of the Shakespeares' eight children shares a birthday with St. George, the patron saint of England.

The Bard Is Baptized

Apr 26, 1564

William Shakespeare is christened at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.

Shakespeare marries

Nov 28, 1582

The Bishop of Worcester issues a marriage license to "William Shagspere" and "Ann Hathwey," formalizing the marriage of 18-year-old William Shakespeare and 26-year-old Anne Hathaway.

First Child Born

May 26, 1583

Six months after their marriage, the Shakespeare's first child, Susanna, is born and baptized.

Twins Born

Mar 21, 1585

Anne Hathaway gives birth to twins, son Hamnet and daughter Judith. The babies are named after Shakespeare's close friends, Hamnet and Judith Sadler.

First Play

Dec 12, 1590

Shakespeare writes Henry VI, Part One—his very first play. Like all of Shakespeare's plays, the precise year of its authorship is now unclear. Also around the same time, Shakespeare leaves Stratford to begin work as a playwright and actor in London.

"Venus and Adonis"

Apr 18, 1593

Shakespeare publishes "Venus and Adonis," his first long published poem. It is dedicated to his patron Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton.

Globe Theater Built

Apr 19, 1594

The Chamberlain's Men build the Globe, a wooden theater in London. Many of Shakespeare's most famous plays are performed for the first time here.

Romeo and Juliet

Jun 1, 1599

Romeo and Juliet belongs to a tradition of tragic romances stretching back to antiquity. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime.

Hamlet

Jul 30, 1601

Shakespeare's father dies and his patron Earl Southampton is sentenced to death (later reprieved) for his role in the Essex rebellion. It is believed that his father's death motivates Shakespeare to write Hamlet around this time. Shakespeare's plays over the next few years take a dark, brooding tone.

Othello

May 21, 1604

Come on, come on; you are pictures out of doors,
Bells in your parlors, wild-cats in your kitchens,
Saints m your injuries, devils being offended,
Players in your housewifery, and housewives' in your beds.
Othello (2.1), Iago, on women

King Lear

Apr 19, 1608

It was written in 1605-1606.The play has a total of 3298 lines, of which 903 are prose.
Shakespeare's friend and fellow actor, Richard Burbage, would have likely been the first Lear. Burbage was a legend in his own time, and originated the roles of many of Shakespeare's greatest characters

Sonnets Published

May 18, 1609

Publisher Thomas Thorpe prints a collection of 154 of Shakespeare's sonnets.

Final Plays

Feb 4, 1613

Shakespeare composes his final plays— Henry VIII, Two Noble Kinsmen (possibly written in 1614)

William Shakespeare died

Apr 23, 1616

Sufferning from an unknown illness, William Shakespeare dies on his 52nd birthday.

Burial

Apr 25, 1616

Shakespeare is buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford, the same church where he was baptized. His marker orders a curse on anyone who disturbs his grave.