The famous name of this writer is well-known around the world. His works are studied in schools and universities, forming the foundation of theater arts and the drama genre, while his sonnets continue to be dedicated to loved ones.
William Shakespeare – An Intriguing Figure
English playwright William Shakespeare is, without a doubt, a figure not only renowned globally but also shrouded in mystery. His persona is veiled in secrecy, and to this day, no one has been able to definitively ascertain what this man truly looked like. Unlike many other geniuses, he achieved recognition during his lifetime. His works are still read, translated into various languages, and performed on stages worldwide, having outlived their era. What was his unique charm, and what do we know about him today? Interesting facts from his biography and the chronicles of his creativity will reveal much that is new to us.
The so-called “Chandos Portrait” of unknown origin, traditionally believed to depict Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s Biography: Key Periods and Milestones
The poet was born on April 23, 1564. However, biographers still debate the accuracy of this date. Regardless, the future playwright was born in the 16th century in the small British town of Stratford-upon-Avon. His family was relatively well-off. His father, John, was a maker of gloves and a respected figure in the town, often elected to various public offices.
William’s mother, Mary Arden, hailed from Saxony and belonged to an ancient family. It’s worth noting that Shakespeare grew up in a large family, with seven siblings.
At that time, the boy received a very good education. He attended the local grammar school, where students studied ancient Greek and Latin. A unique feature of the school was the performance of plays in these languages, which instilled in Shakespeare a love for theater from an early age. In addition to this institution, young William also attended the royal school in his hometown, where he delved deeply into the poetic works of ancient Romans.
The house in Stratford-upon-Avon where Shakespeare was born
Personal Life
William experienced his first love at the age of 18, falling for the daughter of a neighbor who was eight years his senior. After a passionate romance that ended with the girl’s pregnancy, Shakespeare had to marry her. It’s important not to judge young William for immorality; such relationships were quite common in England at that time. The only societal expectation was that couples must marry before the birth of a child. Together with his wife Anne, Shakespeare had three children – two daughters and a son. However, in 1596, tragedy struck their family when their only son died due to a dysentery epidemic. Later, when Shakespeare moved to London, his wife decided to stay in their hometown with the girls. In the capital, the writer lived alone but always tried to visit his family whenever possible.
The London Period
When exactly the writer moved to London remains another mystery for researchers of his life. The so-called “lost years” span from 1585 to 1592, about which nothing is definitively known – only some speculations from biographers. Among them is a theory by Nicholas Rowe, the first biographer of Shakespeare, who claimed that William left Stratford because he was pursued by the local squire Thomas Lucy for poaching.
Another theory suggests that Shakespeare went to London to pursue a theatrical career, initially working as a coachman for wealthy patrons and later as a prompter.
However, it is well-documented that in 1592, the writer joined the Lord Chamberlain’s Men acting troupe, and just seven years later, he bought a share in the company. In 1603, his troupe received royal patronage from King James I, and William himself was appointed as a gentleman of the chamber.
Throughout his life, he was a very energetic person, often taking on multiple endeavors at once. In addition to his theatrical work, Shakespeare engaged in money lending. He knew how to brew beer, rented out properties, personally directed plays, and acted. There’s even a theory that he played Hamlet in his own play.
Moreover, he possessed truly encyclopedic knowledge – he was well-versed in history, interested in politics, wrote poetry, dabbled in music, and was quite a decent painter. He also had a keen interest in botany, even studying a significant portion of this science.
The Writer’s Death
The last stage of the writer’s life concluded on April 23, 1616. Four years prior, he suddenly retired and returned to spend his final years at home in his hometown. After his death, relatives opened his will. He bequeathed nearly all his property to his eldest daughter, whom he loved the most. The list of his estate was quite extensive, mentioning everything down to the smallest details, except for his literary legacy.
The text of the will, written in a very illegible hand, leads biographers to suggest that the writer was quite ill at that time. The artist was buried in the local church of the Holy Trinity, where he had purchased his grave in advance. His wife Anne outlived him by seven years.
The tombstone of William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s Works: What Comprises His Literary Legacy?
The great playwright created an eternal treasury that has nourished the culture of the entire world for several centuries. His literary legacy includes 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and several major and minor poems. Moreover, some researchers believe that a portion of his work is lost, as Shakespeare often collaborated with other playwrights.
The creative plots of his plays inspire not only actors in dramatic theaters but also composers and screenwriters. Throughout his life, Shakespeare repeatedly changed his style and the nature of his works. His poetic style had a profound impact on the development of the English language, laying the groundwork for modern grammar. His contributions also include enriching the literary language of the English with idioms, transforming quotes from the writer into over 1,700 new words.
William Shakespeare: Plays
Shakespeare’s dramaturgy is something special. The periodization in this regard includes three main stages. His early works in this genre primarily mirrored popular themes of the Renaissance era. Examples include the comedy “The Taming of the Shrew” and the horror tragedy “Titus Andronicus.” These were substantial works, featuring a large number of main characters and a complex style that could be challenging to grasp. It can be said that it was through these works that the young author learned to write dramatic pieces for the theater.
The next period of playwriting, which began in the latter half of the 16th century, proved to be more productive in both quality and quantity. The works written during this time were truly “sharpened” for the theater in terms of form and content. The playwright sought new ways to present material interestingly, influenced by the Renaissance and the foundations of drama. During this period, such brilliant works emerged as “Romeo and Juliet,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “The Merchant of Venice,” and “Lady Macbeth,” among others. Unusual and captivating plots for audiences, fresh poetry that was accessible to all, made the performances of these works extremely popular at the time.
Unfortunately, Shakespeare’s later plays, written in the final period of his creativity, are not very well-known. In them, tragedy intertwines strangely with comedy, surprising audiences with a new form. This list includes the fantasies “The Tempest,” “The Winter’s Tale,” as well as dramas on ancient themes – “Coriolanus,” “Antony and Cleopatra.” In these works, the author effortlessly and casually combines the main features of fairy tale and tragedy genres, using both elevated style and familiar expressions of everyday language.
“Hamlet,” painting by Eugène Delacroix
Shakespeare’s Sonnets: An Eternal Emotion
The genre of love poetry was unjustly forgotten during the writer’s lifetime. Thanks to the master of words, it received new life, new resonance, and vibrant colors – so much so that its popularity has not waned to this day.
Thematically, the poems are declarations of love to an unknown young man. Only the last 26 of the 154 sonnets were dedicated to a dark-haired stranger. Naturally, these figures attracted attention and provoked speculation, but it is equally fascinating to look at the sonnets themselves to see Shakespeare’s reflections on the role of love in life. As always, through his personal messages and humorous explorations of everyday life, Shakespeare reaches profound truths about human existence and love. In his sonnets, love is reflected in various contexts, acquiring immense complexity.
The first edition of “Sonnets” (1609)
For the first time, the poems were published by Thomas Thorpe in 1609 as a collection titled “Shakespeare’s Sonnets, Never Before Printed.” There is a theory that the book was released without the author’s consent, which is why it was not reprinted during Shakespeare’s lifetime. Only in 1640 did a close friend of William, John Benson, manage to publish a second collection of sonnets. As the publisher himself noted, these poems were not very popular compared to his plays. Of course, Shakespeare’s sonnets had their admirers and detractors. Researchers also debate the biographical nature of these works, but their significance for contemporary readers has nothing to do with the reasons for their creation. Professor Walter Raleigh beautifully articulated this in his book “Shakespeare: The English Writer”: the sonnets speak to anyone who understands how diverse human life is.
Undoubtedly, all 154 sonnets are works of extraordinary quality, and some have forever entered the cultural heritage. They are constantly quoted by authors of other works, actors, and ordinary people, often without even realizing they are speaking the words of a great poet. The sonnets have been translated into 50 languages worldwide, demonstrating that true literature knows no borders.
More than four centuries separate us from the ovations in the Globe Theatre, which were bestowed upon the grateful audience of the Great Will. Yet, interest in his plots and personality remains undiminished. This is the best proof of the greatness of the English artist.