SHAKESPEARE'S BIOGRAPHY

WHEN AND WHERE WAS SHAKESPEARE BORN

• Shakespeare was born in Stratford Upon Avon.
• Stratford Upon Avon is in Warwickshire, England.
• People initially believed his birth date was the 23rd of April, which is St George's Day.
• His actual birthdate is unknown.
• He was born in a house owned by his father on Henley Street.

WHO WERE SHAKESPEARE'S PARENTS

• John Shakespeare was his father.
• He was an alderman and originally from Snitterfield.
• Mary Arden was Shakespeare's mother.
• She was the eighth daughter of an affluent land owning farmer.

HOW WAS SHAKESPEARE EDUCATED

• Shakespeare attended school at King Edward VI School, located in Stratford Upon Avon.
• He started school at the age of six or seven.
• The school is still standing, and is located on Henley Street, a short walk from his home.
• There are no actual records of him attending school there.
• The school was a free school.

HOW DID SHAKESPEARE BECOME AN AUTHOR

• Initially, Shakespeare wanted to be an actor.
• When the Bubonic Plague hit England, his dreams were shattered.
• He spent his days writing long, sad poems.
• This eventually led to him becoming a playwright.

HOW DID SHAKESPEARE BECOME AN AUTHOR

• There is another speculation as to why Shakespeare became a playwright.
• He realised that becoming a playwright, he would generate more wealth and income than as an actor.

HOW MUCH MONEY DID SHAKESPEARE MAKE

• Although there is no official sum, it is predicted that he made around £600 a year.
• Once a playwright, he had a patron who provided him with food and shelter.

TYPES OF PLAYS

• Tragedy- A serious play with the downfall of a protagonist or hero.
• Themes include jealousy, revenge, and passion. An example is Romeo and Juliet.
• Comedy- A play with a positive, happy ending.
• Comedies were light hearted and less dense. An example is Much Ado About Nothing.
• History- A play that depicts events from the past. An example would be Henry V.

SHAKESPEARE'S OTHER JOBS AND CAREERS

• Initially, Shakespeare was a runner, a prompt boy, and a horse holder.
• He then went on to being an actor, featuring in some of his own plays.
• While he was a playwright, he was also a businessman and he held shares in a theatre.
• He also invested in land and loaned money to people.