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FOCUS ON: Shakespeare, William
English playwright and poet, often called the English national poet and generaly recognized internationally as the greatest of all dramatists.
His life
He was born at Stratford-upon-Avon April 23 1564. Details on his life are sketchy and there is even some controversy as to whether he really did write all of the works attributed to him. Most scholars are of the opinion that he was educated at the Stratford Grammar school, where he would have received an education strong in Greek and Latin literature, rhetoric and Christian ethics. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway with whon he had 3 children. Five years later he left or was forced to leave Stratford for London. He worked for a while as an actor at the Globe Theatre. His first work Venus and Adonis date probably from 1593, followed the following year by the Rape of Lucrece. His play writing began in earnest in 1595 and he soon attracted the attention of wealthy and powerfull patrons, including the Earl of Southampton and later Queen Elizabeth the First and King James. His writing continued until his return to Stratford in 1611. He died in 1616 and was buried in the Church of the Holy Trinity.
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Shakespeare, William
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