“He was not of an age, but for all time.” These are the words fellow playwright Ben Jonson used to describe William Shakespeare’s way of writing and how it is still influencing authors today. This statement of Jonson turned out to be very true, and almost prophetic. Shakespeare grew up during Queen Elizabeth I’s rule, who encouraged all types of writing and the fine arts. His plays reflected this, and put a spin on what was actually happening around him. Shakespeare created new styles of plays, including his well known comedy, The Taming of the Shrew. William Shakespeare’s often daring and controversial new style of writing was influenced by what was going on in his country and how it affected his life. Shakespeare grew up in a happy family environment, during a time when his family was in a good financial situation. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564. It is widely believed that his birthday was April 23rd, and many countries honor his life on that day. Shakespeare was born into an upper-middle class family, and his parents were well off but not nobles. The family is described as, “relatively prosperous” in regards to their wealth, according to Biography Online. Therefore, William’s birth in the Shakespeare family was celebrated by his parents, and still is today. …show more content…
His father, also William Shakespeare, was a successful businessman, and most likely a leather merchant. His mother Mary Shakespeare was a, “land heiress”, because her father was a wealthy landowner who passed away. Shakespeare had many siblings, both sisters and brothers. His sisters were Joan and Judith, both older, and his brothers were Gilbert, Richard and Edmund, all of which were younger. Shakespeare’s family was well off, which allowed him many opportunities towards the beginning of his