Biography

                    WHO IS WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE?

In April of 1564,  William Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon- Avon, England. Shakespeare was raised in an affluent family by his mother, Mary Arden, and his father John, whom was a successful glove maker. Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor who is recognised as one of the most important figures in global literature and culture (Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, 2023). It estimated that he wrote about 38 plays. Shakespeare's writings demonstrate a deep understanding of classical literature and languages, despite his limited official education at a grammar school.  Shakespeare wrote his plays and poems more than 400 years ago, yet despite this people all over the world still study them due to their relatable and universal human traits, values and beliefs (Schoenbaum, 1987). He has made a lasting impact on literature with his inventive language use, character development, examination of subjects such as love, power, jealously and betrayal. 

At the age of eighteen, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, a lady eight years older, they then had three children Susana, Judith and Hamnet. Shakespeare relocated to London during the late 1580s, and began a career that left an eternal effect on society (Honan, 1998). 

Much of Shakespeare's life is speculation, despite his enormous influence. Many details of his biography remain unknown due to the dearth of available contemporary records. Due to the heavy reliance of academics on his writings, legal documents and first hand re-collections, there have been discussions regarding his authorship, sexual orientation, religious convictions and even his educational background. 

                                     SHAKESPEARE'S LEGACY

Shakespeare is the only required author since the National Curriculum's establishment in 1989, making him a fundamental component of English education in the United Kingdom. Shakespeare's influence is culturally significant and goes beyond his literary merits (Department for Education, 2014). Regarding Shakespeare's ongoing significance, it is important to remember that his writing did not receive widespread recognition until a century after his passing. Shakespeare's character driven stories are credited with shaping current ideas of human identity and psychology, according to critics such as Harold Bloom who claims that Shakespeare 'invented the human' (Bloom, 1995: 346). Innumerable genre and media reinterpretations have been inspired by his unmatched effect on Western literature. However, the canonisation of Shakespeare is challenged by some critics, who contend that making Shakespeare a unique cultural figure marginalises other individuals literary works. This criticism calls for a curriculum that integrates other viewpoints alongside Shakespeare and takes a more inclusive approach. 

The Lost Years 

The famous poet and playwright Shakespeare, has had a lasting impression on the literary community. However, a lot of his life remains mysterious, especially the years he spent during what are called his 'lost years'. (Honigmann,1998). The years 1585-1592, are a major void in Shakespeare's life story that are covered by these lost years. There has been a lot of rumours and conjecture regarding his locations and activities due to the dearth of evidence throughout these periods. Scholars fascinated by the mystery surrounding Shakespeare's lost years, which also contributes to the Bard's fame. The gaps present a challenge to biographers and give rise to a diverse range of speculative tales, all of which contribute to our comprehension of Shakespeare's life and works.