SHakespeare :: essays research papers

William Shakespeare was surely the originations most performed and admired playwright. He was well known in his time, and like more artists his fame continues to grow after his death. His plays dealt with many controversial topics, from racism to witchcraft- perhaps adding to the appeal of his plays in general. Shakespeare led an amazing life for his time, a time when actors and actresses were looked down upon and discriminated. He helped to change this stereotype and altered the world perception of theatre forever. In this report, I will outline many areas of Shakespeares life, including His birth, marriage and children, parents and family, education, as well as his death.William Shakespeare the famous playwright was born in April, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, about 100 miles northwest of London. accord to the records of Stratfords Holy Trinity Church, he was baptised on April 26. It was customary to baptize infants within daylights of birth, and because Shakes peare died 52 years later on April 23, and-most significantly-since April 23 is St. Georges day, the patron saint of England, it has become traditional to assign the birth day of Englands most famous poet to April 23. As with most sixteenth century births, the essential day was never officially recorded, but along with most extraordinary men the power of myth and symmetry has proven irresistible, so April 23 it has become.Shakespeares parents were John and Mary Shakespeare, who lived in Henley Street, in Stratford. John, the son of Richard Shakespeare, was a whittawer (a maker, worker, and marketer of leather goods such as purses, belts and gloves) and a dealer in coarse commodities. He was a solid, middle class citizen at the time of Williams birth, and a man on the rise. He served in Stratford government successively as a member of the Council (1557), constable (1558), chamberlain (1561), alderman (1565), and finally high bailiff (1568)--the equivalent of townspeople mayor. Ab out 1577 John Shakespeares fortunes began to decline for unknown reasons. There are records of several(prenominal) debts he may study had, but of course, none can be verified for certain. In 1586 he was replaced as alderman for shirking responsibilities, and in 1592 was reprimanded for non coming to church for fear of process of debt.Records for the Stratford grammar take aim from the time Shakespeare would have attended have been lost, but attend he undoubtedly did since the school was built and maintained expressly for the purpose of educating the sons of prominent citizens.