William Shakespeare as a Writer

1231 Words3 Pages

William Shakespeare as a Writer Wherever we go today, we just can't seem to get away from him. He is in movies, in the theater, even on TV. Whether modernized or back in Elizabethan times, his influence is everywhere in the things we use for our entertainment. We think we know who he really was and what his life was all about. He almost seems immortal in our eyes. Who was William Shakespeare? Who was this man we still have placed on a pedestal almost four thousand years after he lived? Was he really the man that Hollywood glamorized? Shakespeare's life, work and controversies come together to form our beliefs of who this great writer really is. William Shakespeare is clouded with mystery. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England in 1564. "Although his exact birth date is not know, there is a record of his baptism on April 26, 1954" (Kay 13). "His date of birth would have fallen shortly before that day is traditionally considered to be April 23, 1954" (Campbell and Quinn 755). He was born to John Shakespeare and his wife, Mary Arden and was the oldest of three sons. He also had four sisters. "Little is known of Shakespeare's early life, although it is likely that he received an education at the good local grammar school" (Lawall 2110). Other than that, there really is not much known about Shakespeare's youth. The next concrete piece of evidence about Shakespeare's life is his marriage to Anne Hathaway in November 1582, when he was just eighteen years old. It was a marriage of inconvenience. Anne was eight years older than he was and pregnant at the time so they had no choice but to marry. Their first daughter, Susanna, was born in 1583 and twins Hamnet and Judith were born in 1585. Sha... ... middle of paper ... ...ttle about him. People still love the man who can entertain them almost four thousand years after his death. And he will always remain on that pedestal that he was placed on all of those years ago. Works Cited Campbell, Oscar J. and Quinn, Edward G. The Reader's Encyclopedia of Shakespeare. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1834. Gray, Terry A. "1616 Death". http://daphne.palomar.edu/Shakespeare/timeline/marriage.htm. Kay, Dennis. William Shakespeare: His Life and Times. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1995. Lawall, Sarah, et al. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Seventh Edition. Volume One. "The Apology of Socrates". New York: W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., 1999. McMahon, Robert. "CobblerRob's Guide to Shakespeare's Sonnets." http://www2.crosswinds.net/rapid-city/~cobblerrob/refdesk/Sonnets.txt.

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1250 Words | 3 Pages
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford on Avon, England, in April of 1564 to Mary and John Shakespeare. He was the third child and the eldest son. His father was a tanner, glove-maker, and trader in wool and other precious commodities. William attended the Stratford Grammar school where he studied and received substantial training in Latin. He was married on November 27, 1582, to a woman named Anne Hathaway, who was eight years older than he was. In May of 1583, the couple's first daughter, Susanna was born. The couple had twins in February of 1585, Hamnet and Judith. Throughout his life, Shakespeare wrote thirty-seven plays, and several poems and sonnets. He was also an actor for a short while. Several of Shakespears plays were performed at the famous Globe Theater in England. On April 23, 1616 Shakespeare died, he was buried at the church of Stratford on April 25, 1616.
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2457 Words | 5 Pages
“William Shakespeare, the third of eight children and the first boy, was born in 1564 and baptized on 26 April in Holy Trinity Church” (Alexander 12). He was born and raised in the countryside known as Stratford, England and it is also where he was later buried when he died (Cousins 18).
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1960 Words | 4 Pages
“Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford – upon – Avon to his parents John and Mary Shakespeare. He was the third of seven children, in which three of them died. ” (Shakespeare’s Life) Shakespeare attended Stratford’s grammar school, and after he left married Anne Hathaway. During his marriage, “Shakespeare lived primarily in London (1592 to 1611) while his wife Anne Hathaway live in Stratford – upon – Avon, about 100 miles away.” (k12) Together they had three kids, Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith. Only Susanna and Judith lived to older ages, while Hamnet his only son died at a young age. (Shakespeare’s Life)
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1790 Words | 4 Pages
In 1564, a man was born by the name of William Shakespeare. He was born to a poor family, was given little education, and had no interaction with sophisticated society. Thirty-eight plays and over 150 sonnets are not attributed to this ignorant man. Those who believe that Shakespeare was the author have no definitive proof but instead point to Hamlet’s declaration: "The play’s the thing(Satchell 71)." The true author, however, lies hidden behind he name of Shakespeare. Edward de Vere the premier Earl of Oxford is not only considered a great poet in history, but he may also be the great playwright who concocted the sonnets and plays which are now attributed to William Shakespeare of Stratford, England.
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846 Words | 2 Pages
According to the William Shakespeare Biography website, it all began in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, April 26th, 1564, which is said to be the time and place where William Shakespeare was baptized. Although he was baptized on April 26, his assigned birth date was April 23, 1564. His father, John Shakespeare, was a leather merchant and his mother Mary Arden, was an heiress of local land. He had two older sisters named Joan and Judith. William was the third child of Mary and John and had three younger brothers as well: Gilbert, Richard, and Edmund. Referring back to William Shakespeare Biography, “Scant records exist of William's childhood, and virtually none regarding his education.” Like the website mentioned, there are not many records of Shakespeare's childhood or education, but there are some speculations that he attended The King's New school. This school taught reading, writing, and the classics, which would make William more than qualified to attend this school judging from his plays and sonnets.
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535 Words | 2 Pages
William Shakespeare, the myth, the man, the legend. Shakespeare was born April 23rd, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare lived a favorable life during the Elizabeth era. William was the fourth child of eight children. His parents were a wealthy business family and they could afford Shakespeare an exceptional education. . Shakespeare’s father worked as an alderman and which attained the family’s income because it was worthy job. Rather less what’s the story behind this splendid man?
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944 Words | 2 Pages
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-on-Avon in Warwickshire located in the heart of England on April 23 or 24, 1564. His mother, Mary Arden grew up in a much more prosperous environment than the Shakespeares. His father John, and Mary Arden were married in 1557. John Shakespeare was a wool dealer and glove maker, who became a prominent citizen and well-respected in the community. Eventually, John held a position in the public office. (Bender 13). Subsequently, John Shakespeare experienced financial problems and lost his wealth and governing positions. This, of course, had a big effect on the whole family. William was the third of eight children. The older siblings were sistets Joan, born in 1558 and Margaret in 1562. Both of William's older sisters died very young. (Bender 14). The other dive children were Gilbert born in 1566, a second Joan 1569, Richard 1573, Edmund 1580, and Anne 1580 who died at age eight. (Bender 14).
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545 Words | 2 Pages
William Shakespeare was one of the most memorable play writers in history. However, William may have been given false credit. Many people believe that he may not author the plays. In fact, there is much evidence that shows that he did not author the plays.
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479 Words | 1 Pages
William Shakespeare was allegedly born in Stratford-upon-Avon, on April 23, 1564. He was baptized in the Holy Trinity Church on April 26, of that same year. His father, John Shakespeare, was a Glover and leather merchant and his mother, Mary Arden, a landed heiress. William was the third of eight children in his family. John Shakespeare had an outstanding run of success as a merchant, and later as an alderman and high bailiff of Stratford, during William's early childhood. His fortunes declined, however, in the 1570's.
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2754 Words | 6 Pages
Ask anyone who Shakespeare was, and he or she will immediately rattle off at least three different plays that were required readings in English, not to mention a few blockbuster movies bearing his name. Many revere the works of Shakespeare as paramount in the world of literature, dedicating entire books, classes and festivals to the study and celebration of his work. Although the ancient language is a common stumbling block for even the most seasoned readers, his varied tales of love, hate, fear, betrayal, laughter, defeat and victory are just as fitting today as they were four hundred years ago. He is amazingly timeless. Yet, while we might know what Shakespeare is, will we ever really know who Shakespeare was? Ah, there’s the rub!
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582 Words | 2 Pages
William Shakespeare was born in Statfordon-Avon, England in April 1564. The son of John Shakespeare a Glover and his mother Mary Arden who came of wealthy framing family. William Shakespeare was the eldest of three sons there were also four daughters, only one of his sisters out lived William.
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783 Words | 2 Pages
Even with William’s fame, inadequate information was found about him and much of what is known is not entirely proved. It was assumed William Shakespeare was born in April 23, 1564 in a small town named Stratford-upon-Avon in England. He was the son of a tradesman who made and sold gloves, though was once known as the mayor of Stratford. His father’s name was John Shakespeare and his mother’s was Mary. William Shakespeare was the third oldest in his family. Out of seven siblings, only five survived to adulthood.
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1721 Words | 4 Pages
“What’s in a name? Would not a rose by any other name smell as sweet?” William Shakespeare, a name we have all heard at some point, but who is he? William Shakespeare, the man who has influenced our culture through his various literary works. What is the truth behind the brilliant man whom penned the renowned words filling the pages of the ever significant Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, or The Tempest?
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932 Words | 2 Pages
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, allegedly on April 23, 1564. Church records from Holy Trinity Church indicate that he was baptized there on April 26, 1564. Young William was born of John Shakespeare, a glover and leather merchant, and Mary Arden, a landed heiress. William, according to the church register, was the third of eight children the Shakespeare householdthree of whom died in childhood. John Shakespeare had a remarkable run of success as a merchant, and later as an alderman and high bailiff of Stratford, during William's early childhood. His fortunes declined, however, in the 1570s.
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1331 Words | 3 Pages
Shakespeare’s childhood impacted him greatly into becoming who he was. Shakespeare’s childhood was neither exceptional nor dreadful; therefore, he had an uneventful childhood. William Shakespeare was evidently born on April 23, 1564, which is commonly known as St. George’s Day. The records from Holy Trinity Church attested that he was baptized there on April 26, 1564 (Pressley). Traditionally in the Elizabethan era, three days after birth of a child it would be baptized. This led many people to believe that Shakespeare was born on the 23 of April due to his baptism date. Shakespeare was born to Mary Arden and John Shakespeare in the quaint yet wealthy town of Stratford. His father was a glove maker, and Mary was from a higher social class; she was a daughter of a landowner (“Shakespeare, William.” 197-207). Shakespeare’s parents were well respected in the town, even though the family was not royalty. Shakespeare’s home in Stratford was no...
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William Shakespeare as a Writer

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