FREE ESSAY ON WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

William Shakespeare
On April 26, 1564, John Shakespeare's son, William, was baptized at the Stratford Parish
Church. No one knows for certain when his birthday was. (Brown 22) It was thought that
young Shakespeare began attending school at the age 7, in Stratford. (Wadsworth 344)
Before Shakespeare reached the age of 13, his family endured hardships. Shakespeare's
formal schooling ceased. At that time, William may have begun helping his father in the
gloving business. (Wright 22) 
"There is historical warrant for such an approach. Christian images, of course, pervade
Shakespeare's culture, throughout his career he obviously thought in terms of them. If
those images are themselves frequently allegorical, and we should consider the extent to
which the allegories are incorporated into the living texture of Shakespeare's
creations." (Kirch 18) At a young age Shakespeare may have viewed annual plays and seen
traveling artists. These performances possibly ignited a spark that continues to burn.
(Wright 20) William Shakespeare was an Englishman who wrote poems and plays. According to
many he was labeled as one of "the greatest dramatists the world has ever known and the
finest poets" who wrote in the English language. Shakespeare's work relied mostly on his
instincts of nature. His understanding of other people allowed him to fully grasp the
quality he wrote of. (Wadsworth 342)
John Shakespeare married Mary Arden in 1557. Both the Shakespeare's and the Arden's were
farmers, and sold their products to make a living. (Brown 23) Shakespeare had two
sisters. Joan died in 1562; Margaret died at infancy. Then in 1566 Gilbert was born. In
1569 a second child named Joan was born; in 1571 came Anne, who died when she was eight
year's old. Richard was then born in 1574 followed by Edmund in 1580. (25) William
Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway at the age of 18. Anne was at least 8 years her
husband's senior. The marriage record dates November 27, 1582 in an Episcopal register
found in Worchester. (45-46) The custom in Stratford after the eldest son married, was
for the new couple to live in the house of the groom's father. In all likelihood,
Shakespeare obeyed the customary procedure. (Wright 24) Shakespeare and his wife probably
had a good and happy marriage. She gave birth only 6 months after they were legally wed.
(Wilson 43) Shakespeare's son named Hamnet was only 11 years old when he died. He also
had a daughter named Judith. Judith Shakespeare had 3 sons who died at young ages.
Shakespeare's only bloodlines were the descendants of his (second) sister Joan. (Brown
25-26) 
Between 1585 and 1592, there was no account of a man named William Shakespeare. Typically
referred to as the lost years. There were no records of his life. Some scholars believe
he was living in London serving as an apprentice. Others believe he retreated and wrote
under a fake name. (Wadsworth 345) At about age 20, some people thought young William
stole a dear from a wealthy man in order to poach. A crime not tolerated during that
period. (Wright 6) Eight years before the death of Shakespeare he wrote 4 new plays. Some
scholar's debate, which plays, was his last. Very little was known about him before the
age of 28. (Wilson 38) He continued to visit Stratford on occasion. (Wadsworth 347) He
bought a house in London where he gradually retired. On April 23, Shakespeare was laid to
rest inside the Stratford Parish Church in 1616. Shakespeare was a young 52 when he died.
(Wadsworth 347) "For nearly a century after his death Shakespeare remained more a theme
for criticism by the few than a subject of adulation by the many." (Brown, 2) William
Kent erected a stone statue of William Shakespeare. The statue is located in the Poet's
Corner of Westminster Abby. (Wright 8) 
Shakespeare may not have felt a calling to write when he left Stratford, but he had a lot
to learn in the big city of London. (44-45) After Shakespeare went to London, he joined
an acting group. He had no experience. He was merely a performer. (43) William
Shakespeare was an important part of a troupe called the Lord Chamberlains Men. He
eventually became an honored senior member. (11) Writing plays soon became a demanding
business. Companies were always looking for new material. With few new plays, companies
began paying for the plays. Once a play was sold it became the property of the company.
(44-45) Shakespeare wrote 37 plays. The plays were separated into three basic categories:
comedy, tragedy, and history. (Wadsworth 342) With Shakespeare's vast influence on many
different cultures, he tried and tested variations of grammar and word usage. He
experimented, so the stuffy English language would not be so common and boring. Now, in
today's language, a few of Shakespeare's words have become used daily. (343) 
According to Ben Johnson, Shakespeare was to be a writer for all time to be highly
acclaimed. He deserves applause by all playwrights past and present. Shakespeare's works
are timeless. (Kirsch 130) What makes Shakespeare's works vary, is the interest of the
reader. (129) "...Shakespeare conceals nothing and condemns nothing- because he is
utterly unlike a schoolmaster or preacher- that the young then and the young now feel
safe with him." (Wilson 53) The works of Shakespeare contain a strong and constant truth
touching emotional and supernatural aspects of life. These realities make Shakespeare's
works vital even in today's learning institutions, and theatrical realms, accounting for
his enormous success. Many people feel that he is well deserving of adulation and utmost
attention. (Kirsch 127) ""John Dryden praised Shakespeare for his "universal mind, that
comprehended all characters and passions."" (IX) In Shakespeare's own day and time, no
one ever faintly imagined what a huge success his works would become. No writer since
William Shakespeare has ever been as well known. If not read, studied, or performed, the
literary works of "Sweet Mr. Shakespeare" have been colossally renown. (Brown 2) "No
other writer has better served the tourism agency, the hotel manager, inn-keeper, caterer
and salesman of mementos as well as the publisher and printer, actor and manager. No
other writer has evoked a tithe of the editions, commentaries, emendations, speculations,
and down-right lunacies that have been begotten by the Shakespeare's wonder." (8)
"William Shakespeare was indeed an Elizabethan who took advantage of his time." (Wright
6)
REFERENCES
Brown, Ivor. Shakespeare. New York: Time Incorporated, 1962.
Of Virginia, 1990
Kirsch, Arthur. The Passions of Shakespeare's Tragic Heros. London: University Press 
Wadsworth, Frank W. "Shakespeare, William." World Book. 1992 ed.
Wilson, J. Dover. The Essential Shakespeare. London: Cambridge University Press, 
1945.
Wright, Louis B. Shakespeare's England. New York: American Heritage Publishing 
Co., Inc., 1964