William Shakespeare’s actual birth date is not specifically known, however, he was baptized on April 26, 1564, as the son of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. He group up in Stratford and married the older Anne Hathaway in 1582 who was already six months pregnant when they got married. At the time, he would probably been socially forced to marry her even if he didn’t want to because of disapproval of unwed births. Two of his three children with Anne grew to adulthood. In the 1580’s he left for London and worked both as an actor and as an author. The time frame from 1585 to 1592 is often referred to as the ‘lost years’. Since drama was a common part of Shakespeare’s society (evident in amateur plays performed regularly), it is often believed that he was a school teacher at this time teaching what he would eventually become famous for. He helped run a theatre group known as King’s Men that built their own theatre that later burned during a performance of one of Shakespeare’s works. Between 1610 and 1613, Shakespeare retired before dying in 1616. He was buried in the same church he was baptized in. Anne died seven years later and his family line officially ended with the death of his grand-daughter Elizabeth in 1670.
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William Shakespeare has had a profound effect on modern culture. His works were extremely popular and he is the most wide spread read author in modern history. While his home life might have been questionable and his education less than outstanding, William’s creativity and effort paid off. Reading his works it is easy to see the genius William was able to attack to simple realistic expression of emotion and tragedy. He did not shy from the truth.
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