William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare – some biographical notes

The early years

? Born in April 1564 in Stratford on Avon

? His father - a fairly rich merchant

Stratford on Avon

Shakespeare‘s schooling

Wife and Children

? Marriage to Anne Hathaway in 1582 ? Anne was 26, he was 18 ? 3 children ? The youngest, Hamnet died at the age of 11

London

? went to London at 21

? joined a travelling company of actors

? worked both as an actor and a writer

London Life in the 16th century

Poor sewer system High crime rate But … 200,000 inhabitants the cultural and political heart of England

The Globe Theatre

? opened in 1599

? His successes had made Shakespeare a rich man

? He became one of the principal investors

Ups and downs

Failures and successes The affair with the "Dark Lady"

The end of his life

Return to Stratford in 1610 Destruction of the Globe Theatre in 1613 (the Great Fire of London) In 1616 Shakespeare died on April, 23 (his birthday!)

Looking back

"All‘s well that ends well"

Shakespeare wrote 37 plays … … and 154 sonnets… … and an unknown number of long epic poems