The Life of William Shakespeare :: essays research papers

The feel of William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeares father, John Shakespeare, moved to the idyllic town of Stratford-upon-Avon in the mid-sixteenth century, where he became a successful landowner, moneylender, wool and agricultural goods dealer, and glover. In 1557 he married bloody shame Arden . John Shakespeare lived during a time when the middle class grew and became wealthier and wealthier, thus allowing its members increase freedoms, luxuries, and voice in the local government. He took advantage of the opportunities afforded him through this hearty growth and in 1557 became a member of the Stratford Council, an event which marked the outgrowth of an illustrious political career. By 1561 he was elected one of the towns 14 burgesses, where he served as constable, one of two chamberlains, and alderman successively. In these positions he administered borough station and revenues. In 1567 he was made bailiff, the highest elected office in Stratford, and the uniform of a moder n solar day mayor. The town records indicate that William Shakespeare was John and Marys ternion child. His birth is unregistered, but legend places it on April 23, 1564, partially because April 23 is the day on which he died 52 categorys later. In any event, his baptism was registered with the town on April 26, 1564. Not much is known about Williams childhood, although it is safe to go in that he attended the local grammar school, the Kings New School, which was staffed with a faculty who held Oxford degrees, and whose syllabus included mathematics, natural sciences, Latin language and rhetoric, logic, Christian ethics, and simple literature. He did not attend the university, which was not unusual at this time, since university education was reticent for prospective clergymen and was not a particularly mind-opening experience. However, the education he legitimate at grammar school was excellent, as evidenced by the numerous classical and literary references in his plays. Hi s early works especially drew on such Greek and Roman greats as Seneca and Plautus. What is more impressive than his form-only(prenominal) education, however, is the wealth of general companionship exhibited in his works, from a working knowledge of many professions to a vocabulary that is far greater than any otherwise English writer. In 1582, at the age of eighteen, William Shakespeare married the twenty-six year old Anne Hathaway. Their first daughter, Susanna, was baptized only six months later, which has given leaven to much speculation concerning the circumstances surrounding the marriage.