William Shakespeare

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The Northern Renaissance began after 1500, when scholars and merchants in northern Europe supported Renaissance ideas. The Northern Renaissance writers also supported and adopted the idea of humanism, but gave humanism more of a religious opinion (Adams 14). One of the famous northern writers is William Shakespeare. Many people say that he is the best playwright ever. Shakespeare's life can be separated into his young years, marriage, play years, and late years.

First of all, Shakespeare was born on April 23rd, 1564. No one knows Shakespeare's exact date of birth, but the 23rd has been designated as his birth date (Frye 7). His baptismal records state ""Guliemus filius Johannes Shakspere"; meaning "William son of John Shakespeare (Shakspere)." He was the third of eight children. William Shakespeare's last name can also be written Shakspere, Shaksper, and Shake-Spear because the Elizabethan time was not specific. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, a town with 1,500 people. This city was about 90 miles northwest of London, England. He grew up on Henley Street (Adams 29). Stratford was both the birthplace and burial of William Shakespeare. His parents were John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. His father was a town official while his mother stayed home to watch the kids. Shakespeare supposedly started going to grammar school at the age of seven. He went to school from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. He studied Latin and other subjects there for free. His teachers all had Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Oxford and other universities. After country school, he immediately left and went to London (Brownfoot 30).

Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in November of 1582. At the time, he was 18. His wife, Anne Hathaway, was 26. Anne was three months pregnant when they finally wed. Together, they had three legitimate children (Shakspere). He had one son and two daughters. His first daughters name was Susanna. After he moved to London to pursue his acting career, he occasionally paid visits to his home. Shakespeare's wife, Anne, died seven years after him (Wadsworth). She died on August 6th, 1623 (Absolute). She too was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.

Shakespeare used his adult life writing plays and becoming a famous Northern Renaissance writer. Shakespeare joined a traveling acting company. He owned part of an acting company called "Lord Chamberlain's Men".

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