Searching for Shakespeare - Lesson 2 - Shakespeare Biography Worksheet

William Shakespeare, the illustrious playwright and poet, was born in the market town of Stratford-upon-Avon around April 23rd, 1564. He was the son of William Shakespeare, a successful businessman, and Mary Shakespeare, who came from a family of landowners. The Shakespeare family was relatively well-off, suggesting that they could afford to educate young William, although there are no records indicating that he went on to university. At the tender age of 18, Shakespeare tied the knot with Anne Hathaway, who was eight years his senior. The couple welcomed their first child, Susanna, shortly thereafter, followed by twins. Tragically, their son Hamnet passed away at the age of 11.

After his marriage, details about Shakespeare's life become less clear, but it is believed that he spent the bulk of his time in London. Here, he dedicated himself to the craft of writing and acting in his plays, only returning to Stratford during Lent when the theatres were closed. The 1590s proved to be an extraordinarily creative period for Shakespeare, during which he penned the majority of his sonnets. His work during this era, including iconic plays such as "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Romeo and Juliet," and "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," written between 1589 and 1595, garnered significant attention and sparked debate, marking a time of prolific output and artistic growth.