If you are an English language lover, the one name you must have heard is William Shakespeare. He is one of the most renowned playwrights and poets of all time. His works have been translated into many languages and are read and watched worldwide.
Today, I am going to take you through some interesting facts about William Shakespeare that you might not be aware of.
Introduction to William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare is a world-renowned English playwright, poet, and actor. He was born in 1564 in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England. He is considered to be the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
Unbelievable Facts about William Shakespeare
The life of William Shakespeare is shrouded in mystery. There are numerous facts and stories about him that are quite fascinating. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Early Life
William Shakespeare was born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. He had three older siblings and three younger siblings. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582 and had three children with her. He was also known to have had an affair with a woman named Lucy Negro. He moved to London in 1592, where he began working as an actor and writer.
It is believed that he attended King Edward VI Grammar School in Stratford-upon-Avon, but there is no evidence to prove this. While the exact date of his birth is unknown, it is traditionally celebrated on April 23rd.
Writing Style
Shakespeare’s writing style has had an immense influence on the English language. He is known for introducing more than 1,700 words into the English language. He was also one of the first to use the blank verse – a type of poetry without rhyme – as a dramatic medium. This style became the basis for almost all of his plays and sonnets.
His plays were known to have a unified structure, and he often used dramatic devices such as soliloquies and asides to convey the emotions of his characters. He also used a variety of literary techniques such as puns, double entendres, and witty wordplay.
Famous Works
Shakespeare is best known for his plays, which include some of the most famous works in the English language. His plays are divided into comedies, tragedies, and histories. Some of his most famous plays include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and The Tempest. He also wrote several sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems.
Legacy
Shakespeare’s works have had a lasting legacy on the English language and literature. His plays are widely studied and performed throughout the world. His language and style have been adopted by countless writers and poets, and his influence can be seen in many other works of literature. He is also credited with popularizing the sonnet form, which is still widely used today.
Fun Facts about William Shakespeare
There are many interesting facts about the life of William Shakespeare that are quite fascinating. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Controversies
There are many controversies surrounding the life of William Shakespeare. One of the most popular theories is that someone else wrote his works, despite there being no evidence to support this. Another controversy is that there is no evidence to prove that Shakespeare ever attended school, despite the fact that he was highly educated.
His Death
William Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of 52. The exact cause of death is unknown, but it is believed that he may have died of natural causes. He was buried at the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.
His Influence
Shakespeare’s influence on the English language and literature is immense. He is credited with popularizing the sonnet form, as well as introducing more than 1,700 words into the English language. His works have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
Quotes by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was known not only for his plays and sonnets, but also for his iconic quotes. Here are some of his most well-known quotes:
- “To thine own self be true.”
- “All the world’s a stage.”
- “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”
- “Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
- “This above all: to thine own self be true.”
- “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.”
- “If music be the food of love, play on.”
- “The course of true love never did run smooth.”
William Shakespeare in Summary
William Shakespeare is one of the most renowned English playwrights and poets of all time. His works have had a lasting influence on the English language and literature, and he is credited with introducing more than 1,700 words into the English language. His iconic quotes are still widely used today.
If you are an English language lover, I hope this article has given you a better insight into the life and works of William Shakespeare.