William Shakespeare Research Paper

Alex Klepko

Mr. Smith

English 9

9 January 2015

The Amazing Life of William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is definitely regarded as one of the best poets and playwrights that has ever been in human history. Many people automatically think of such works as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet when thinking of Shakespeare, even if they have not possibly read the plays or watched a movie. For example, even today songs are written with a reference to the “love” of Romeo and Juliet.

There are many things about Shakespeare that are unknown because of the lack of documentation. The actual date of Shakespeare’s birth is one of speculation, since no birth records exist. Baptism records show that Shakespeare was baptized on April, 26, 1564;

By that time, some of his plays had also been produced. In five short years, Shakespeare had done well for himself, by being able to buy the second biggest house in the city Stratford, according to civil records from that time. Also fifteen of his works had been published by that time as well. The house in Stratford took four days by horse from London to get to. Therefore, it is believed that Shakespeare only returned home to his family one time per year when the theatres of London were closed during a forty day period.

Shakespeare was also recognized as a sharp businessman. He, along with another business partner, built a new theater, The Globe, along the Thames River in London. He invested in land and other properties and become a wealthy man.

Shakespeare’s original writing style was similar to that of the time period in which he lived. However, it later evolved into his own more sophisticated and unique style. This led to what we think of him

This was an important document because it kept Shakespeare’s works together in one resource. Shakespeare never had his plays published himself. Therefore, without this occurring Shakespeare would be unknown today. Shakespeare’s co-actors, John Hemminge and Henry Condell, compiled the works and William Jagger, as well as his son, published the first works in this document. ("The First Folio of Shakespeare." -Folger Shakespeare Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2015., "William Shakespeare." WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2015.)

Shakespeare was a poet, actor, and playwright. The London theaters closed in 1593 because of rats spreading disease, and Shakespeare wrote two narrative poems, Venus and Adonis, and The Rape of Lucrece. A year earlier the plays Richard III and Comedy of Errors were performed making a reputation for Shakespeare. Shakespeare not only wrote poetry but comedy, history, and tragedy are subjects in his plays. Shakespeare wrote at least 37 plays; 10 of which were plays about history, 17 were comedies, and 10 were