Author Profile: William Shakespeare

There’s a very good chance you’ve heard of William Shakespeare, but what do you really know about him? He’s one of the most famous writers in history, and even though he lived more than 400 years ago, his work is still read, performed, and studied all over the world. But why? What makes him so important, and why are we so obsessed about his plays? 

Who was William Shakespeare?

William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. He didn’t come from a rich family; his father was a glove maker and a local businessman, and his mother came from a family of farmers. Shakespeare went to a local grammar school, where he probably learned Latin, literature, and history. However, we don’t know much about his early life. 

At the age of 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway (no, not the Hollywood actress with the same name). Anne was 26, and they had three children together—Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sadly, Hamnet died when he was only 11 years old.

From Stratford to London

After starting his family, Shakespeare moved to London to pursue a career in the theatre. He joined a theatre group called The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which later became The King’s Men when King James I came to power 1603. Shakespeare was not just a writer but also an actor, and became a key figure in London’s bustling theatre scene.

Interesting Facts About Shakespeare

1. He invented over 1,700 words – Shakespeare is credited with inventing or popularising hundreds of words we still use today, including “eyeball,” “swagger,” “lonely,” and “bump.” 

2. He wasn’t famous when he died – Although Shakespeare was well-known in his time, he wasn’t the global icon we think of today. It wasn’t until many decades later that his plays started to gain worldwide fame.

3. His plays weren’t published – In Shakespeare’s time, plays were meant to be performed, not read. The scripts for his plays were copied by hand (computers did not exist), and actors sometimes had to perform from rough notes. This is why we don’t know when the plays were written, as opposed to first performed, or if Shakespeare wrote more than we already know of. 

4. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre – Shakespeare’s plays were performed at the Globe Theatre, one of the most famous theatres in history. The original Globe burned down in 1613 after a cannon used in a play misfired and set the roof on fire. It was later rebuilt, reopening in 1997, and today you can visit a modern reconstruction of the Globe in London.

Why is Shakespeare Still Important?

You might be wondering why we still study Shakespeare when his plays were written so long ago. After all, the language can be tricky to understand, and the stories are set in a time. So, why do we study them at school?

The truth is, Shakespeare’s plays deal with emotions and experiences that are still relevant today. His stories explore universal themes like love, jealousy, power, and ambition. Whether it’s Romeo and Juliet falling in love despite their families’ hatred or Macbeth being destroyed by his own greed, Shakespeare’s characters are still relatable. We can see parts of ourselves in them, even 400 years later.

Facts About His Famous Plays

Romeo and Juliet is probably the most famous love story ever written. Romeo and Juliet are two teenagers from families who hate each other, but they fall in love and secretly marry. Unfortunately, their love leads to a tragic ending when they both die because of a misunderstanding. The play is about the dangers of hatred and the power of love, and it still resonates with audiences today.

Hamlet is about Prince Hamlet, who is grieving the death of his father. When Hamlet learns that his uncle (now king who has also married Hamlet’s mother) might have murdered his father, he seeks revenge. Hamlet is famous for its exploration of madness, betrayal, and the question of what it means to be human. 

The Tempest is one of Shakespeare’s last plays. It is about a shipwreck, magic, and forgiveness. Prospero, a powerful magician, uses his powers to create a storm (the tempest) that causes his enemies to wash up on his island. It’s a story about power, control, and letting go of anger.

Did Shakespeare Really Write His Plays?

Over the years, some people have questioned whether Shakespeare really wrote all of his plays. Some believe that other writers, like Sir Francis Bacon, Edward de Vere, Christopher Marlowe, or William Stanley, or even several people may have written them instead. However, most scholars agree that Shakespeare did write the plays credited to him. 

Shakespeare's Legacy

Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of 52, but his legacy has lived on for centuries. His plays have been translated into every major language (and some fictional. There is a Klingon translation of Hamlet) and performed more often than any other playwright's. His plays have gone to inspire many other books and movies, such as Grease, The Lion King, 10 Things I Hate About You, She’s the Man, High School Musical, and many more. 

Next time you come across Shakespeare in class, remember that behind the fancy language are stories full of adventure, love, and human emotion that still matter today. Shakespeare might seem old-fashioned at first, but his work is timeless and can still make you think, laugh, and feel, just as it did for audiences hundreds of years ago.