William Shakespeare example essay topic

766 words
William Shakespeare was one of the best authors, actors / playwrights of all time. William's poetry was full of images from nature, gardening, agricultural, pursuits, and country folklore. He was born and died on exactly the same date 52 years later. William has written a total of 37 plays including articles of time, love, death, friendship and the immortality of poetry. William was exceptionally good at his work and he generated a few enemies along the way. William was born in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 23, 1564.

His parents, John and Mary Shakespeare lived on Henley Street, Stratford. His father was a whittaker, which is a maker, worker and seller of leather goods such as purses, belts, and gloves. His father was a well-known man in society, occupying such positions as a member of council, constable, chamberlain, alderman, and also a high bailiff. Shakespeare's father died in 1601 and his mother died in 1608. William was married at the age of 18 in 1582. His bride Anne was three months pregnant and eight years' older then William when they wed.

His wife Anne was the daughter of Richard Hathaway. Richard was a substantial Warwickshire farmer. He had a spacious house and owned large amounts of farm land. Anne's father Richard called her Agnes which was interchangeably in the sixteenth century. The Hathaway farm house has now become known to the tourist industry as 'Anne Hathaway's cottage. ' William and his wife Anne had three children.

Susanna was born on May 26, 1583. The other two children, Judith and Hamnet were twins, born in 1585. Susanna married Doctor John Hall in 1607. Their home Hall's Croft, is today preserved as one of Shakespeare's properties. Judith Shakespeare married Thomas Quiney in 1616, at the age of 31.

Hamnet Shakespeare died at the age of 11 in 1596. Shakespeare was unquestionably a famous man because of the distinguished plays he wrote throughout his live. In 1599 the Globe theatre was built and Shakespeare received 10% of their profits. This theatre burnt down while William Shakespeare was preforming one of his master pieces. Shakespeare's comedies of the late 90's relied very strongly on women's parts.

One enemy, Robert Greene, wrote a poem conveying his feelings about his younger rival Shakespeare: Groats Worth of Witte: For there is an upstart Crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his Tigers hart wrap t in a players hyde, supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank e verse as the best of you: and being an absolute Johannes fac to tum, is in his one conceit the only Shake-scene in a countrey. Greene wrote this passage, as a bitter, dying man. This proves that Shakespeare was an exceptional author to provoke Greene's jealousy. Shakespeare's chief rival was Christopher Marlowe. Marlowe was murdered in 1593 and at that time was undeniably the better playwright according to the critics. Fortunately for us, there were many more plays and novels to come.

On March 25, 1616, William called his attorney to revise his will. The marriage of his youngest daughter Judith to the repulsive Thomas Quiney made William elect to modify his will. The changes that he made were major. William altered his will so that Judith did not receive as much money. William gave a slight amount to charity, friends and other family members, but the majority went to his daughter Susanna. This proved that William resented Thomas because he betrayed his daughter even before they were married, by impregnating another woman.

Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 and was buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church two days after his death. Appearing on the slab over his grave are the following words: GOOD FRIEND FOR JESUS SAKE FOR BEARE, TO DIGG THE DUST ENCLOSED HEARE. BLEST E BE Ye MAN Yt SPARES THES STONES, Today Shakespeare is certainly the world's most read and studied author and most preformed dramatist. Shakespeare's wishes were honoured, because he was buried in his hometown where he wanted to be buried. From this, one can conclude that Shakespeare was a wealthy, distinguished man in the late 1500's. He had several successful plays, but also made numerous enemies throughout his career.

Shakespeare's plays are still very popular today and his novels are read and studied by readers all over the world.