Short biography of poet william shakespeare
He wrote 38 plays and sonnets. His father William was a successful local businessman, and his mother Mary was the daughter of a landowner. Relatively prosperous, it is likely the family paid for Williams education, although there is no evidence he attended university. In William, aged only 18, married an older woman named Anne Hathaway. They had three children, Susanna, Hamnet and Juliet.
Their only son Hamnet died aged just After his marriage, information about the life of Shakespeare is sketchy, but it seems he spent most of his time in London — writing and acting in his plays. Due to some well-timed investments, Shakespeare was able to secure a firm financial background, leaving time for writing and acting. The best of these investments was buying some real estate near Stratford in , which soon doubled in value.
It is thought that during the s he wrote the majority of his sonnets. This was a time of prolific writing and his plays developed a good deal of interest and controversy. His early plays were mainly comedies e. Together, they had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Around , at the age of 49, Shakespeare retired to Stratford, where he spent his remaining years.
He passed away on April 23, , at the age of It is actually thanks to a group of actors from Shakespeare's company that we have about half of the plays at all. They collected them for publication after Shakespeare died, preserving the plays. These writings were brought together in what is known as the First Folio 'Folio' refers to the size of the paper used.
It contained 36 of his plays, but none of his poetry. His plays have had an enduring presence on stage and film. His writings have been compiled in various iterations of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, which include all of his plays, sonnets, and other poems. William Shakespeare continues to be one of the most important literary figures of the English language.
Although his professional career was spent in London, he maintained close links with his native town. This suggests he divided his time between Stratford and London a two or three-day commute. In his later years, he may have spent more time in Stratford-upon-Avon than scholars previously thought.
Short biography of poet william shakespeare
His works, which include approximately 37 plays, sonnets, and 2 narrative poems, have captivated audiences for over four centuries, showcasing a profound understanding of human emotion and conflict. As a prominent member of the King's Men, the most celebrated theatrical company of his time, Shakespeare not only performed but also wrote many of the plays that defined the Renaissance era.
His ability to blend history, tragedy, and comedy has left a lasting imprint on both English literature and global theater. Shakespeare's innovations in storytelling, character development, and language have transformed the landscape of drama. By using blank verse and crafting intricate plots, he set new standards for narrative complexity and emotional depth.
His ability to write in various genres allowed him to appeal to diverse audiences, establishing a theatrical legacy that persists today. Plays such as "Hamlet," "Othello," and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" continue to be performed worldwide, adapted into countless films and productions. Through his enduring contributions, Shakespeare has cemented his status as one of history's greatest playwrights, whose works continue to resonate with and inspire generations.
In the later years of his life, William Shakespeare became increasingly focused on property investments in Stratford-upon-Avon. Following the death of his father in , he inherited the family home, and in , he bought approximately acres of land for a substantial sum. By , he had also acquired leases for real estate near Stratford that proved to be profitable, suggesting that Shakespeare was not only a gifted playwright but also a shrewd entrepreneur.
These ventures likely allowed him the leisure and financial security necessary to dedicate more of his time to writing, leading to some of his most acclaimed works. Tradition holds that Shakespeare died on April 23, , which interestingly falls on the same date as his birth. However, while church records confirm he was interred at Holy Trinity Church on April 25, the exact cause of his death remains uncertain, with speculation ranging from a sudden illness to other unforeseen health issues.
In his will, Shakespeare bequeathed the bulk of his estate to his eldest daughter, Susanna, while notably leaving his wife, Anne Hathaway, his "second-best bed.