They collected them for publication after Shakespeare died, preserving the plays. It is actually thanks to a group of actors from Shakespeare's company that we have about half of the plays at all. No original manuscripts of Shakespeare's plays are known to exist today. For more about Shakespeare's patrons and his work in London see Shakespeare's CareerĪltogether Shakespeare's works include 38 plays, 2 narrative poems, 154 sonnets, and a variety of other poems.He remained with the company for the rest of his career, during which time it evolved into The King’s Men under the patronage of King James I (from 1603). During his time in the company Shakespeare wrote many of his most famous tragedies, such as King Lear and Macbeth, as well as great Shakespeare was the company's regular dramatist, producing on average two plays a year, for almost twenty years. He also became a founding member of The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a company of actors. They were two long poems, 'Venus and Adonis' (1593) and 'The Rape of Lucrece' (1594). Scholars generally refer to these years as ‘ The Lost Years’.ĭuring his time in London, Shakespeare’s first printed works were published. Shakespeare's career jump-started in London, but when did he go there? We know Shakespeare's twins were baptised in 1585, and that by 1592 his reputation was established in London, but the intervening years are considered a mystery. For an overview of William Shakespeare's life, see Shakespeare's Life: A Timeline.Their first daughter, Susanna, was born six months after the wedding and was later followed by twins Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died when It was a rushed marriage because Anne was already pregnant at the time of the ceremony. When he was eighteen, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, who was twenty-six.
William Shakespeare would have lived with his family in their house on Henley Street until he turned eighteen. His elevated status meant that he was even more likely to have sent his children, including William, to the local grammar school. John Shakespeare worked as a glove-maker, but he also became an important figure in the town of Stratford by fulfilling civic positions. John and Mary lost two daughters as infants, so William became their eldest child. JohnĪrden, and together they had eight children. Records survive relating to William Shakespeare’s family that offer an understanding of the context of Shakespeare's early life and the lives of his family members. Shakespeare’s poems also remain popular to this day. Shakespeare’s plays are perhaps his most enduring legacy, but they are not all he wrote. Shakespeare was a prolific writer during the Elizabethan and Jacobean ages of British theatre (sometimes called the English Renaissance or the Early Modern Period). Shakespeare born), which is also believed to be the date he died in 1616. His birthday is most commonly celebrated on 23 April (see When was
William Shakespeare was a renowned English poet, playwright, and actor born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Prices, booking, opening times and more to help you get organised