Shakespeare

William Shakespear, or the 'Bard' of Avon' was born in 1564. He was an English poet and a playwright. Born into a family of glove making, and as the third of eight children, William unsupprisingly did do not receive a complete education. Mainly due to the fact that when William was in 8th grade his family became very poor. Little did he know that his education would be stopped at the 8th grade! During this era, education was at one of its highest point, so learning was great. Shakespeare grew up as an apprentice at his fathers glove making shop. Here there is a 'dark age' or time period where not much is recorded.

We do know that when there finall was recordings of Shakespeare again that he was married to Anne Hathaway. Anne was from a rich family. This enable Shakespeare to become a gentlemen; whereas before his family name would not have had enough meaning or respect to become a gentlemen. It is know yet know for sure as to how Shakespeare gained his fame, but it is know that his fame was probably gained by the queen of the traveling plays using one of his writtings as a play.

It is know that during his playwritting time, that he did indeed leave his son and two daughters back in Stratford-upon-avon. Shortly after he returned home, he was struct with a tradgedy of his own. His only son, Hamnet dies in the year of 1590; and Shakespeare begins writting really dark tradgedies. Shakespeare would have no male heir. For 26 years he suffered dealing witht the death of his son with a 'sick heart' (depression). "Shakespeare, Drayton, and Ben Jonson had a merry meeting and it seems drank too hard, for Shakespeare died of a fever there contracted." (John Ward, Vicar of Holy Trinity Church ) Today Shakespear is highly noted, and is easily remembered with his Globe Theatre that burned down during a play.

Famous/Notable Bards:

Homer (The blind poet of the Iliad and the Odyssey)
Shakespeare

Smith, Charles Roach. The Rural Life of Shakespeare, as Illustrated by His Works. Bell 1874.