William Shakespeare Research Paper

1292 Words6 Pages

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them”
William Shakespeare is highly regarded as the greatest writer of the English language known for both his plays and sonnets. Back in the time he lived (1500s), there were no big sets, costumes, lights, productions, all you could rely on was your words and that is most certainly what he did. His life is seen as mysterious, since he lived more than 400 years ago, and many records from that time are lost and non-existent. Historians are unsure of his date of birth, where he was educated and where he spent seven years of his life. We know only little about the man himself. William Shakespeare is an iconic addition to the English language and this is further explored …show more content…

He was not born into a family of virtue/nobility or significant wealth. His father, John, a glove maker or tradesman and Mary Arden, the daughter of an affluent/wealthy farmer who later on took ownership of her father’s farm. With Shakespeare’s being poor, he did not seem bound for greatness. No matter what background you come from, you can make it. The talent of William Shakespeare shone, leading to him having to discontinue his education at fourteen due to his father’s financial problems. It is amazing what William Shakespeare achieved in his life after leaving school at such a young age with only seven years of …show more content…

There were typically around ten actors in a company including a lead actor, character actors, and some comedians. Young boys typically played women's roles as women were not allowed to act. Shakespeare remained a member of the company for his entire career, with opportunities such as performing in front of Queen Elizabeth. Shakespeare entered one of his most creative periods around 1595, writing Richard II, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Merchant of Venice. Through his newly founded success in play writing, Shakespeare bought the second largest home in Stratford in 1597, though he did continue to live in London to write and publish his work.
Many of Shakespeare's greatest plays were written in the last half of his career. These included Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. His success in the theatre, as well as his investments in land and the Globe, made Shakespeare a wealthy