The Life of William Shakespeare
Between 1590 and 1592, Shakespeare's Henry VI series, Richard III, and The Comedy of Errors were performed. When the theaters were closed in 1593 because of the plague, the playwright wrote two narrative poems, Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece, and probably began writing his richly textured sonnets. One hundred and fifty-four of his sonnets have survived, ensuring his reputation as a gifted poet.
Having established himself as an actor and playwright, in 1594 Shakespeare became a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men, one of the most popular acting companies in London. He remained a member of this company for the rest of his career, often playing before the court of Queen Elizabeth. With his newfound success, Shakespeare purchased the second largest home in Stratford in 1597, though he continued to live in London. Two years later, he joined others from the Lord Chamberlain's Men in establishing the polygonal Globe Theater on the outskirts of Lndon. When King James came to the throne in 1603, he issued a royal license to Shakespeare and his fellow players, organizing them as the King's Men. during King James's reign, Shakespeare wrong many of his most accomplished plays about courtly pwer, including King Lear, Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra. In 1609, Shakespeare's sonnets were published, though he did not live to see the First Folio of his plays published in 1623.
Watch the videos below to learn about William Shakespeare and his work.
Having established himself as an actor and playwright, in 1594 Shakespeare became a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men, one of the most popular acting companies in London. He remained a member of this company for the rest of his career, often playing before the court of Queen Elizabeth. With his newfound success, Shakespeare purchased the second largest home in Stratford in 1597, though he continued to live in London. Two years later, he joined others from the Lord Chamberlain's Men in establishing the polygonal Globe Theater on the outskirts of Lndon. When King James came to the throne in 1603, he issued a royal license to Shakespeare and his fellow players, organizing them as the King's Men. during King James's reign, Shakespeare wrong many of his most accomplished plays about courtly pwer, including King Lear, Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra. In 1609, Shakespeare's sonnets were published, though he did not live to see the First Folio of his plays published in 1623.
Watch the videos below to learn about William Shakespeare and his work.
In 1616, with his health declining, Shakespeare revised his will. Since his only son Hamnet had died in 1596, Shakespeare left the bulk of his estate to his two daughters, with monetary gifts set aside for his sister, theater partners, friends, and the poor of Stratford. A fascinating detail of his will is that he bequeathed the family's "second best bed" to his wife Anne. He died a month after rewriting his will. To the world, he left a lasting legacy in the form of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and two narrative poems.
When William died on April 23, 1616, in his birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, he was recognized as one of the greatest English playwrights of his era. In the four centuries since, he as come to be seen as not only a great English playwright, but the greatest playwright in the English language.
When William died on April 23, 1616, in his birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, he was recognized as one of the greatest English playwrights of his era. In the four centuries since, he as come to be seen as not only a great English playwright, but the greatest playwright in the English language.
Stop and see if you can answer the following questions so far about William Shakespeare:
If so, move on!
- What theatrical company did Shakespeare become a part of? What did this change to during King James' reign?
- What theater did his company build?
- About how long were performances during this time period?
- Who is Sir Francis Bacon?
- What types of plays did Shakespeare write?
- Why were all the theaters in London closed for two years?
- How did the University Wits feel about Shakespeare?
If so, move on!