William Shakespeare
- Born:
- Baptised April 26, 1564, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England
- Died:
- April 23, 1616, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England
- Nationality:
- English
- Profession(s):
- Playwright, Poet, Actor
Early Life and Education
- William Shakespeare was the son of John Shakespeare, a glover and alderman, and Mary Arden.
- Details of his early education are limited but it is believed he attended the King Edward VI Grammar School in Stratford-upon-Avon.
- There is no record of him attending university.
Career and Major Achievements
- By 1592, Shakespeare was established as a playwright in London.
- He was a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men, a prominent acting company.
- Shakespeare wrote approximately 39 plays and 154 sonnets.
- His plays were performed at the Globe Theatre and other venues.
- He retired to Stratford-upon-Avon around 1613.
Notable Works
Plays
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Tragedies | Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth |
| Comedies | A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing |
| Histories | Richard III, Henry IV (Parts 1 & 2), Henry V |
Sonnets
- Shakespeare's sonnets are known for their exploration of love, beauty, and mortality.
- Published in 1609, the sonnets are addressed to a "fair youth" and a "dark lady."
Legacy and Impact
William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. His plays continue to be performed and studied globally, and his works have had a profound influence on literature, art, and culture.
As scholars have examined literary histories, texts such as the 'manuel lopez ochoa biography of william' shed more light on Shakespeare's plays.