William Shakespeare

The Brainiacs > English > Fiction

Childhood and education

Attending Kings’ New School, Stratford upon Avon, literature became his favourite subject. His parents, John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, were pleased at this virtue. Surviving were 8 siblings of an original nine to William making him the eldest son of the family. Sadly this was not the only death in his life.

Adulthood

After leaving school at the age of 18, he married 26 year old Ann Hathaway. Shortly afterwards Judith, Suzanna and Hamnet were born. Unfortunately he later died.

Career

In 1584 William began his career with his first play Henry VI before beginning his known work in 1589 at the age of 25. The total number of plays discovered so far has reached 38. Every good playwright needs to endeavour to show their wondrous pieces of work. Finally in 1592 his plays were first acted on stage.  Following this success they were promptly taken off and were performed only by Lord Chamberlain’s men. Leading the biggest playing company in London made Shakespeare a wealthy man. Backing up this statistic was the fact that he brought the 2nd largest house in Stratford; New Palace. Eventually the famous Globe was built on the river Thames in 1599.

Ending career

The following year Henry v was written, presenting facts before and after the battle of Agincourt (1415) in the Hundred Years’ War. Some scholars think the absence of his name from Jonson’s Volpon is a sign indicating the conclusion to his career was nigh. William stopped writing tragedies in 1608, including works such as Othello, King Lear and Hamlet. Another name for his famous romances was tragicomedies. Retiring at the age of 49 he died three years later in his birth town of Stratford upon-Avon. This sad occasion took place on the 23rd of April 1616.

Conclusion

Asking questions and posing problems is associated to William Shakespeare as he was always doing so when writing his plays, improving his work.  Also continuously learning is linked with him as he was all his lifetime. Being creative, imaginative and innovative is important to him because he had to bend the truth to suite his audience. William Shakespeare led an inspirational life and is still known and considered today to be one of the greatest writers in the English language.

By George and Jake, Year 6 January 2013