-
1564
Birth
William Shakespeare was born in the year 1564, there is no exact date of Birth recorded but it is most commonly celebrated as April 23rd. This is also believed to be the date of his death, in 1616. Shakespeare Birthplace Trust -
Period: 1564 to 1582
Early Life
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden who had eight children in total. When two of their daughters died young William was left as the oldest, and was sent to grammar school with many of his siblings due to their fathers status from holding civic roles.
William would have lived with his parents until the age of eighteen, where he had a rushed wedding to Anne Hathaway (26) due to her being pregnant at the time of the ceremony. -
Period: 1564 to 1582
Early Life Cont.
The couple had three children together: Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith. Unfortunately Hamnet would pass away by the time he was eleven. Then, he would end up moving to London at some point of his early life. -
Period: to
The Lost Years
The period of Shakespeare's life known as the Lost years is found before he became renowned in London, leaving much information unknown like when he even arrived there. -
The Taming of the Shrew
This play was believed to be written before 1592, as one of Shakespeare's earliest works. Royal Shakespeare Company -
Period: to
First Produced Works
In 1593 and 1594 respectively, London was where Shakespeare's first printed poems would be published. Two long poems: "Venus and Adonis"(1593) and "The Rape of Lucrece"(1594). -
Period: to
Creative Legacy
Throughout his life Shakespeare wrote 38 plays, 36 being included post mortem in the "First Folio" as gathered by his fellow actors and playwrights. No original prints remain, and none of his poems or sonnets were included in this work, and the plays themselves are difficult to place. [Shakespeare Birthplace Trust]
( -
The Lord Chamberlain's Men
It is believed that William Shakespeare was a founding member of The Lord Chamberlain's Men acting company established in 1594. The company was established under Henry Carey, 1st Lord Hunsdon. British Library -
A Midsummer Night's Dream
This play is often said to have been written in 1595-6, drawing potential inspiration from an incident in Scotland, 1594. Royal Shakespeare Company -
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet, a play that has influenced all manner of modern art immensely, is believed to be written in 1595-6 due to allusions of Astrology and earthquakes. Royal Shakespeare Company -
New Place
In 1597 Shakespeare was wealthy enough to purchase property in his native town of Stratford, the largest home known as New Place. He would spend much time here, with recent discovery telling of a life spent less in London than Stratford. Folger Shakespeare Library -
Julius Caesar
Written in 1599, and later alluded to in Hamlet. This particular play was seen at the Globe by Thomas Platter, but not mentioned in Francis Meres's 1598 list of Shakespeare's plays. Royal Shakespeare Company -
Period: to
Hamlet
Often called the Scottish Play and believed to be cursed by ancient witches, Shakespeare's Hamlet is an important piece of theatre history believed to be written in 1599 and published in 1602. -
His Father's Passing
In 1601 his father passed, leaving him the family home. He leased part of his home to part time tenants. -
Property investment
Many property investments were made in Stratford after his property inheritance, including 107 in 1602. -
The King's Men
The Acting company would be renamed under King James I from 1603 onward, and Shakespeare would spend the rest of his career with the company. -
Othello
Often attributed to the year 1604 for its year of writing, some argue it was slightly earlier, but the play itself was viewed in November of that year. Royal Shakespeare Company -
Period: to
The Tempest
Shakespeare's final work as a solo author, a tragedy believed to be written at some point during 1610 but premiering on Nov 1st, 1611. This play is also believed to be his last role as an actor. Dead Centre -
Shakespeare's Death
It is believed that his death in 1616 was on April 23rd, his "birthday" at the age of 52. Britannica -
Period: to
Modern Influence
William Shakespeare's works live on to this day, with countless adaptations. Romeo and Juliet for example is called upon as a trope in media constantly, and the Scottish Play is known as a curse if its name is uttered during a production. His contributions to language and theatre are immensee, even without a full scope of his works.