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1564
BIRTH DATE
He was baptized at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26,1564 -
MARRIAGE
Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in Worcester, in Canterbury Province. Shakespeare was 18 and Anne was 26 -
FIRST DAUGHTER, SUSANNA
Their first child, a daughter they named Susana -
TWINS, HAMNET AND JUDITH
On February 2, 1585, twins Hamnet and Judith were born. Hamnet later died of unknown causes at age 11. -
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HENRY VI
Shakespeare’s prequel to the Henry VI trilogy opens with the Young Lancastrian King Henry VI ascending the throne amid turmoil in England for power to the monarchy. Supporters of the two warring houses of Lancaster and York choose red or white roses as symbols of their loyalty. Thus begins the war of the roses. Adding to his problems, Henry’s armies in France are defeated by French forces led by Joan of Arc. -
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LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S MEN
By the early 159's documents show Shakespeare was a managing partner in the Lord Chamberlain's Men, an acting company in London with which he was connected for most of his career. -
FIRST AND SECOND PUBLISHED POEMS
Early in his career, Shakespeare was able to attract the attention of Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southamptom, to whom he dedicated his first and second poems."Venus and Adonis" and "The Rape of Lucrece" -
The Taming of the Shrew
The ensuing play then unfolds with the comical story of Petruchio of Verona and his courtship and marriage to Katherina. The eldest of two sisters, Katrina is a head strong ill mannered shrew. The comedy depicts Petruchio’s witty but psychological treatment of Katrina in a bid to temper her obstinate behavior. He succeeds by subduing Katharina who ultimately falls in love with her husband and becomes the obedient wife. -
ROMEO AND JULIET
The tragic tale records the story of two lovers Romeo of the house of Montague and Juliet from the house of Capulet. With love doomed to end in failure, the lovers woo each other in the wake of a warring feud between the two houses of Montague and Capulet. -
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
It revolves around the tale of four lovers and an amateur troupe of actors whose lives are encountered and influenced by forest fairies led by their king Oberon and his estranged wife Queen Tatania. In what appears as its most comical scene, Oberon influences Puck the mischievous sprite to cast a spell on Queen Tatania making her fall in love with one of the minstrels. For good measure, Puck has replaced his head with that of a Donkey’s. -
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Much Ado About Nothing portrays a series of comical events surrounding two sets of lovers. Claudio a young Count betrothed to marry his love Hero suspects her of infidelity and insults her at the altar. In a scheme to make Claudio make amends, her father makes him believe that a grief stricken hero has died. Meanwhile another romantic tryst takes place between the Count Benedick and hero’s cousin Beatrice. Although well matched, they repel each other’s advances . -
GLOBE THEATER
By 1599 Shakespeare and his business partners built their own theater on the south bank of the Thames river, which they called the Globe theater. -
HAMLET
Hamlet is one of the most powerful of Shakespearean tragedies famed for its catch line “to be or not to be’’ part of the popular speech of this play. This Shakespeare play is a classic tale of betrayal, murder and revenge. Prince Hamlet of Denmark is incited by ghostly apparitions of his father who wants revenge against his murderer Claudius. Claudius also his brother seizes both the throne and marries his brother’s wife Gertrude. -
KING'S MEN COMPANY
The company changed its name to the King's Men following the crowning of King James I. It was very popular. -
OTHELLO
Othello is a Moorish captain serving in the Venetian army. Unfortunately for him, he has several enemies the worst of whom is his most trusted ensign Iago. In what unravels as a classic narration of racism, love, betrayal, jealousy and wrongful accusation, Iago hatches a plot to wrongfully accuse his wife Desdemona of infidelity. Inflamed with passion and jealousy an enraged he kills Desdemona. -
MACBETH
Shakespeare play, Macbeth is a dramatic representation of the treachery of political ambition and how it can lead to madness. General Macbeth after a victorious battle is prophesied by witches to become king. However the prophesy predicts his friend Banquo’s lineage as his successors. Influenced By his wife, he murders Duncan the King of Scotland and ascends the throne. Fearing that Banquo suspects him, he orders Banquo to be killed in the forest but his son Fleance escapes. -
THE TEMPEST
Shakespeare play, The Tempest narrates the tale of Prospero, former Duke of Milan and his daughter Miranda who was usurped by his Brother Antonio and banished to an island. Prospero with his books of magic lives on the island with a savage creature Caliban and Ariel a sprite as his slaves. -
HENRY VIII
Henry 8th, is a historical play depicting King Henry’s courtship of Anne Boleyn and his subsequent separation from the Catholic Church. Cardinal Wosley head of the church had earlier instigated the execution of Henry’s Father the duke of Buckingham. Henry Married to Katherine for 20 years wants a divorce so that he can marry her lady in waiting Anne Boleyn. -
DEATH DATE
He died in Stratford-upon-Avon on 23 April 1616 at the age of 52. He is buried in the sanctuary of the parish church, Holy Trinity
