William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford in 1564. He was one of

eight children. The Shakespeare's were well respected prominent people.

When William Shakespeare was about seven years old, he probably began

attending the Stratford Grammar School with other boys of his social class. William Shakespeare learned Greek and Latin classics (this is comparable to college education today). Students went to school year round attending school for nine hours a day. The teachers were strict disciplinarians.

Though Shakespeare spent long hours at school, his boyhood was

probably fascinating. Stratford was a lively town and during holidays, it

was known to put on pageants and many popular shows. It also held several

large fairs during the year. Stratford was a exciting place to live.

Stratford also had fields and woods surrounding it giving William the

opportunity to hunt and trap small game. The River Avon which ran through

the town allowed him to fish also. Shakespeare's' poems and plays show

his love of nature and rural life which reflects his childhood.

During Shakespeare's life, there were two monarchs who ruled

England. They were Henry the eighth and Elizabeth the first. Both were

impressed with Shakespeare which made his name known. There is evidence

that he was a member of a traveling theater group, and a schoolmaster. In

1594, he became an actor and playwright for Lord Chamberlain's Men. In

1599, he became a part owner of the prosperous Globe Theater. He also was

a part owner of the Blackfriars Theater as of 1609. Shakespeare retired

to Stratford in 1613 where he wrote many of his excellent plays.