WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

“Be great in act, as you have been in thought.”

Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford, England

Born on April 23, 1564Born in Stratford,

EnglandMarried Anne

Hathaway when he was 18 and she was 26

They had three childrenLeft Stratford after his

children were born to go to London

Shakespeare's Early Life

Shakespeare's Time in London

•He began acting in 1592.•He also served as a writer and reviser of plays.•At age 28, critics were impressed with his work.•He published his first narrative poem, Venus and Adonis in 1593.•He acted with several acting companies, including the Chamberlain’s Men.•He was part owner of the Globe Theater.

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare's Famous Work

Shakespeare's Famous Work

Julius Caesar was written in 1599 and it was one of the first plays enacted in the Globe Theater.

Shakespeare’s other famous works include:

HamletMacbethA Midsummer Night’s

DreamThe Taming of the ShrewOthelloMuch Ado About Nothing

Shakespeare's Later LifeHe purchased New

Place in 1597, one of the largest houses in Stratford.

He lived and worked in London until he retired as a wealthy landowner in 1610.

A collection of his plays, titled the First Folio, was published in 1623.

Remembering ShakespeareShakespeare died at

home on April 23, 1616.

He was buried in the chancel (behind the pulpit)of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.

A monument for him was erected a few years later in Westminster Abbey in London.

Chancel of Holy Trinity Church

Shakespeare's Burial PlaceHis Grave Behind

the Pulpit

“Good friend, for Jesus’ sake forbeare,To dig the dust encloased heare.Blese be the man that spares thes stonesAnd curst be he that move my bones.”

Shakespeare's Memorial“Stay, passenger, why goest

thou by so fast?Read, if thou canst, whom

envious death hath placedWithin this monument:Shakespeare with whomQuick nature died, whose

name doth check this tombFar more than cost, sith all

that he hath writLeaves living art but page to

serve his wit.”

Shakespeare's LegacyHis plays have been read,

enacted, and produced on film more than any others in history.

His stories related to the lives of people in the 1600’s and still relate to people today.

“I feel within me a peace above all earthly dignities, a still and quiet conscience.” William Shakespeare