preview

Twelfth Night, or What You Will by William Shakespeare

Better Essays

William Shakespeare is considered to be one of the greatest playwrights in the history of the English language. Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. While there are no official birth records for William Shakespeare, there is a church in Stratford-upon-Avon which claims to have Shakespeare’s baptism records. According to these records William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564. There is marriage records show that William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in 1582. The couple had three children together, and in 1590 Shakespeare left his wife and kids to travel to London. He moved away to London so he could pursue a career as a playwright and actor. After catching the eye of James I and Elizabeth I he became one of the most popular playwrights in England. Shakespeare is famously known for the many different works he produced throughout his lifetime. He wrote many sonnets, poems and plays; which he is most famous for. Shakespeare’s plays have often been described as controversial because he often portrays women as very intelligent figures. Although Shakespeare portrays women in his plays, at the time women were not allowed on the stage, instead the roles were portrayed by adolescent boys. Shakespeare’s father was a glove maker, and his family was of the middle class. This middle class upbringing did not allow Shakespeare to go to university because his family could not afford to send him. Many critics often question how someone who was not

Get Access