Why has Shakespeare been popular for 400 years?
Whilst many playwright create characters that have to be acted in a set way, Shakespeare liked to give freedom to his actors. It’s for this reasons that theatre companies and actors continue to love Shakespeare plays as they give actors a poetic license to put their own spin on each character.
Why is William Shakespeare so famous?
William Shakespeare is one of the world's greatest writers. He wrote plays for the theatre. He wrote poetry too. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, in England. Later he went to London, to be an actor. But he became famous for writing plays. His friends said he was the best writer of his time. Most people now say he was the best of all ...
What was life like in Shakespearean times?
There were many elements that made life difficult in Shakespeare’s time, which often meant that life expectancy was very short, with most children (as many as half) not living past 15 years of age. Women in particular had very limited rights at the time, making life much harder for women than men in general. Rioting and protests were especially common during the time, and while they were contained by the authorities, they were not taken too seriously.
Where did William Shakespeare Live for most of his life?
Where did Shakespeare live most of his life? In Stratford-upon-Avon, he built a large house for his family. After he semi-retired, Shakespeare spent most of his time in Stratford-upon-Avon until his death.
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What happened during Shakespeare's birth?
The plague devastated Britain in 1564 and we are lucky that Shakespeare survived being born at the time. More than 200 people died in Stratford, which was around 1/6th of the population.
What was happening in the world when Shakespeare was alive?
William Shakespeare lived in England while under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. During this time (1558-1603), England saw a rebirth in national pride, an artistic explosion and appreciation in poetry, literature, and theatre, international expansion, and victories over Spain, a powerful and despised rival.
When Shakespeare was born and died?
William Shakespeare was a renowned English poet, playwright, and actor born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. His birthday is most commonly celebrated on 23 April (see When was Shakespeare born), which is also believed to be the date he died in 1616.
What do we know about Shakespeare birth?
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in April 1564. The exact date of his birth is not recorded, but it is most often celebrated around the world on 23 April. Shakespeare's baptism is recorded in the Parish Register at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon on Wednesday 26 April 1564.
What are 5 interesting facts about Shakespeare?
Facts About Shakespeare's LifeShakespeare's father made gloves for a living. ... Shakespeare was born 23rd April 1564. ... Shakespeare had seven siblings. ... Shakespeare married an older, pregnant lady at 18. ... Shakespeare had three children. ... Shakespeare moved to London as a young man. ... Shakespeare was an actor, as well as a writer.More items...
How many new words did Shakespeare invent?
1,700 wordsWilliam Shakespeare is credited with the invention or introduction of over 1,700 words that are still used in English today. William Shakespeare used more than 20,000 words in his plays and poems, and his works provide the first recorded use of over 1,700 words in the English language.
Is Romeo Juliet real story?
The story is, indeed, based on the life of two real lovers who lived and died for each other in Verona, Italy in 1303. Shakespeare is known to have discovered this tragic love story in Arthur Brooke's 1562 poem entitled “The Tragical History of Romeo and Juliet”.
What was Shakespeare's last words?
O happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die.
What are 3 things William Shakespeare is famous for?
Among his 10 history plays are Henry V and Richard III. The most famous among his tragedies are Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. Shakespeare also wrote 4 poems, and a famous collection of Sonnets which was first published in 1609.
Why do we not know exactly when Shakespeare was born?
William Shakespeare's exact birth date isn't known because there is no record available of his birth. In fact, the earliest mention of one William Shakespeare from Stratford-upon-Avon is in the parish register of Holy Trinity Church that notes his baptismal date as April 26, 1564.
What words did Shakespeare invent?
15 Words Invented by ShakespeareBandit. Henry VI, Part 2. 1594.Critic. Love's Labour Lost. 1598.Dauntless. Henry VI, Part 3. 1616.Dwindle. Henry IV, Part 1. 1598.Elbow (as a verb) King Lear. 1608.Green-Eyed (to describe jealousy) The Merchant of Venice. 1600.Lackluster. As You Like It. 1616.Lonely. Coriolanus. 1616.More items...•
Why is so little known about Shakespeare's life?
Since William Shakespeare lived more than 400 years ago, and many records from that time are lost or never existed in the first place, we don't know everything about his life. For example, we know that he was baptized in Stratford-upon-Avon, 100 miles northwest of London, on April 26, 1564.
Was Shakespeare popular while he was alive?
DOBSON: Shakespeare got very popular in his own lifetime; and, in fact, from very early in his own career. His narrative poem, Venus and Adonis, was about his most popular printed work right through his career.
What were the 4 periods of Shakespeare's life?
Although the precise date of many of Shakespeare's plays is in doubt, his dramatic career is generally divided into four periods: The First Period up to 1593, the Second Period from 1594 to 1600, the Third Period from 1601 to 1607, and the Fourth Period from 1608.
What was Shakespeare doing in 1590?
Shakespeare is believed by most academics to have written his very first play, Henry VI, Part One in this year. 1590-91. Shakespeare is again believed to have written Henry VI, Part Two and Henry VI, Part III.
How famous was Shakespeare during his life?
In his own time, William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was rated as merely one among many talented playwrights and poets, but since the late 17th century has been considered the supreme playwright and poet of the English language.
Overview
William Shakespeare was an actor, playwright, poet, and theatre entrepreneur in London during the late Elizabethan and early Jacobean eras. He was baptised on 26 April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England, in the Holy Trinity Church. At the age of 18 he married Anne Hathaway with whom he had three children. He died in his home town of Stratford on 23 April 1616, aged 52. Tho…
Early life
Lost years
London and theatrical career
Business affairs
Later years and death
See also
Bibliography
Overview
William Shakespeare (bapt. 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narra…
Life
Plays
Poems
Style
Influence
Critical reputation
Works