Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-avon. His mother's name was Mary Arden, a
member of the gentry. His father's name was "John" Glover Shakespeare,
a commoner. John tried to regain their position in society by getting a coat of
arms, but was rejected three times. William later, after achieving his fame,
received a coat of arms known as "Not without right" that was in the
shape of a shield. At the tender age of 14, (1578) William was apprenticed to a
butcher. At 17, (1581) he was a liberteen, or a very wild and rambunctious teen.
In 1582, between the ages of 18 and 19, William met Ann Hathaway, 26, and she
became pregnant. The two got married and had a little girl named Suzanna, who
later married a doctor, Thomas Nash. They also were blessed with twins, Judith
(Juliet) and Hamnet (Hamlet). They both died before adulthood. William was no
super model. He was bald, had the unattractive brown hair for the time, and was
a country bumpkin. Although he had these unfavorable physical characteristics,
he was still able to have many affairs behind his wife's back. In London
especially, he had many affairs and was a wild party guy. Ann didn't like her
husband's ways and was constantly nagging him. Because of her nagging, William
left her their second best bed "and nothing more." People don't know
whether it was a sentimental gesture or just for spite. In 1588, Comedy of
Errors was written, which is said to be his first play. 1588-1612 were known as
his London days. He left Stratford at the age of 24 and went to London first, to
get away from his wife, and second, because he was wanted for poaching deer at
Charlcote Manner. In London he joined a theatrical society known as Lord
Chamberlin's Men. William's patron was Lord Chamberlin. William was considered a
low comedian during these times. Tragedians were considered great, but comedy
was low. In this theatrical society, William conducted his stage career, but he
was quite drunk much of the time. One night, he was even found under a tree in
which he had fallen in a drunken stupor and forgotten where he was. His affairs
were abundant and he was known as the country bumpkin from Stratford.
Christopher Marlow influenced Shakespeare's tragedies and was also a rival. Ben
Johnson influenced Shakespeare's comedies. In 1592, he was a successful
playwright and actor. He wrote dramas, played cool parts, but never published
any of his plays. In 1593, Venus of Adonis was published. 1594-1610 he acted and
wrote plays on an average of two a year. In 1597, he bought a home in Stratford.
1602-he bought a large estate. 1609-published some sonnets in a collection.
1612-retired to Stratford. On March 23, 1616, William wrote his will and on
April 23, 1616 he died. Richard Burbage was one of the original tragic actors in
Shakespeare's plays. He was a guiding light of the project to edit and publish
all of William's work. The Globe Theater was where all of his plays were
performed.