Summary
Highlights
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, likely on April 23, 1564. He probably attended the King's School in Stratford but did not go to university. He married Anne Hathaway in 1585 and had a daughter and twins, though his son Hamnet passed away.
Shakespeare moved to London in the late 1580s and by the early 1590s, he was already writing and acting. By 1597, he had authored 15 of his 37 plays, including 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Comedy of Errors'.
Beyond being a playwright, Shakespeare was a shrewd businessman. In 1599, he built the Globe Theater, the largest open-air amphitheater in London. His company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, became the King's Men in 1603 under the patronage of King James, a mark of significant prestige.
Shakespeare's plays are categorized into histories, comedies, tragedies, and tragicomedies. Many of his phrases are so common that their origin is often forgotten. His 'middle period' (1595-1605) included comedies like 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and tragedies such as 'Hamlet' and 'Macbeth.' His later works include 'King Lear' and 'The Tempest.'
Shakespeare was also a poet, writing 154 sonnets and several narrative poems during periods when theaters were closed due to the plague. He significantly enriched the English language, introducing almost 3,000 words.
Shakespeare is believed to have died on his birthday, April 23, 1616. His influence has grown over 400 years, with his writing being the second most quoted after the Bible. Despite questions about his authorship in the 18th century, most scholars today credit him with all his plays and sonnets, recognizing him as one of the most influential figures in human civilization.