Answer: William Shakespeare is widely believed to have been
the greatest playwright in history. His plays are
continually produced and stUgents around the world
read his works in school. Shakespeare is known for
his ability to depict the depth ofhuman character and
his skill in illustrating issues to which for hundreds of
years, people around the world can relate.
Shakespeare's father, John Shakespeare, was a
wealthy business owner and active citizen of
Stratford-upon-Avon in England. He married
Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden, in 1557, and they
had William on April 23, 1564.
During the sixteenth century, waves ofthe Black Plague ravaged England and
William was lucky to have survived. Two ofhis sisters, Joan and Margaret, died
from the affliction. William's younger prother, Gilbert, fortunately escaped the
deadly epidemic and had a long and successful career as a tradesman. Later, John
and Mary Shakespeare had four more children: Joan (named aftertheir firstborn),
Anne (who died at age eight), Richard, and Edmund, who eventually followed in
William's footsteps as an actor.
Shakespeare began his education atthe age ofsix-or seven at the Stratford grammar
school, known as the King's New School of Stratford-upon-Avon. His lessons were
primarily in Latin, butWilliam also 'likely learned in English~ Shakespeare was taken
out of school at about the a.ge ofthirteen, due to his father's financial problems at
this time. It is believed that William continued his studies on his own, however,
- educating himself as much as possible. The events ofWilliam's life between the age
ofthirteen and when he emerged in London as an actor, is generally unknown .
. However, it is recorded that in 1582, at the age of eighteen he married Anne
Hathaway, who was eight years older than him and pregnant at the time.
Shakespeare,'s first child, Susanna, was born in 1583. In 1585, twins Hamnet and
Judith were born. In 1596, Hamnet died ofunknown causes. The loss was said to
have affected William deeply. Shakespeare's grief and loss is said to be expressed in
his writing.
Little is known about Shakespeare's life during the years of1585 to 1592, before he
appeared as an actor in London. Itis believed. he spent this time perfecting his craft
as an actor and playwright. By 1592, Shakespeare was already an established and
respected actor in London. Productions of Henry IV and The Comedy ofErrors were
performed by Pembroke's Men, a popular acting troupewho often performed for
Queen Elizabeth. In 1594, Shakespeare joined another acting troupe, Lord
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