The Life And Works Of Shakespeare

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The Life And Works Of Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is the world's most admired

playwright and poet. He was born in April, 1564 in

Stratford-upon-Avon, about 100 miles northwest of

London. According to the records of Stratford's Holy

Trinity Church, he was baptized on April 26. As with most

sixteenth century births, the actual day is not recorded but

people are guessing that he was born on April 23.

Shakespeare's parents were John and Mary Shakespeare,

who lived in Henley Street, Stratford. John, the son of

Richard Shakespeare, was a maker, worker and seller of

leather goods like purses, belts and gloves and a dealer in

agricultural commodities. He served in Stratford

government successively as a member of the Council ,

constable , chamberlain , alderman and finally high bailiff

which is the equivalent of town mayor. About 1577 John

Shakespeare's fortunes began to decline for unknown

reasons. There are records of debts.

William had seven siblings. He was the third child and

first born son. In the sixteenth century

Stratford-upon-Avon was an important agricultural center

and market town. The building in Henley street known

today as the birthplace of William Shakespeare was at the

time of his birth, two different buildings that John

Shakespeare bought at two different times.

William went to school at the Stratford Grammar

School. He had to show up at six or seven A.M. depending

on the season and stay there most of the day, six days a

week. William studied many different authors and

dramatists including Caesar, Cicero, Virgil, Horace, Livy,

and Ovid. Ovid was his favorite. Grammar school was the

beginning of Shakespeare's career. Almost everything he

mastered he learned there. After grammar school, William

went to the Warwickshire Countryside. There he played

parts in plays and wrote poetry.

The years 1594-1599 were momentous for

Shakespeare. He produced a steady stream of plays of the

highest quality. He continued as a principal actor and

manager in the Chamberlain's men, blessed with a stable

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