Famous English Authors

1. WilliamWilliam
ShakespeareShakespeare
1564 - 16161564 - 1616

2. The Greatest English WriterThe Greatest English Writer
 William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare
was born on April 23,was born on April 23,
1564 in Stratford-upon-1564 in Stratford-upon-
Avon. Shakespeare wasAvon. Shakespeare was
the most documentedthe most documented
Elizabethan playwrightElizabethan playwright
who was recognised inwho was recognised in
his own lifetime. Afterhis own lifetime. After
retiring and making hisretiring and making his
will out on March 25,will out on March 25,
1616, Shakespeare died1616, Shakespeare died
on April 23, 1616.on April 23, 1616.
Nothing is recorded onNothing is recorded on
the cause of his death.the cause of his death.

3. Shakespeare's LifeShakespeare's Life
 John Shakespeare, William'sJohn Shakespeare, William's
father, was a glover and afather, was a glover and a
whittawer. He was a highlywhittawer. He was a highly
successful and respected man.successful and respected man.
His father held many publicHis father held many public
official positions: mayor, townofficial positions: mayor, town
council man, and justice ofcouncil man, and justice of
peace. Shakespeare's father waspeace. Shakespeare's father was
not able to write. In 1576, John'snot able to write. In 1576, John's
business went down. Hebusiness went down. He
stopped attending meetings andstopped attending meetings and
social events. Shakespeare wassocial events. Shakespeare was
twelve at this point in time.twelve at this point in time.
Stratford on Avon

7.  Shakespeare's mother wasShakespeare's mother was
Mary Arden. She came from aMary Arden. She came from a
wealthy family who paid awealthy family who paid a
handsome dowry to marry herhandsome dowry to marry her
off. While living on Henlyoff. While living on Henly
Street, she bore eight childrenStreet, she bore eight children
with the Shakespeare name.with the Shakespeare name.

8.  Shakespeare went to StratfordShakespeare went to Stratford
Grammar School where he studiedGrammar School where he studied
classics written in Greek and Latin.classics written in Greek and Latin.
His teachers gave him the incentiveHis teachers gave him the incentive
to read.to read.
 He was taught by two OxfordHe was taught by two Oxford
graduates, Simon Hunt and Thomasgraduates, Simon Hunt and Thomas
Jenkins. Shakespeare had anJenkins. Shakespeare had an
unusual keen observation of bothunusual keen observation of both
nature and mankind. His educationnature and mankind. His education
was said to have ended here.was said to have ended here.

9.  On November 27, 1582,On November 27, 1582,
Shakespeare marriedShakespeare married
Ann Hathaway who wasAnn Hathaway who was
twenty-eight years old.twenty-eight years old.
On May 26, 1583, AnnOn May 26, 1583, Ann
bore their firstbore their first
daughter, Susanna. Indaughter, Susanna. In
1585, a set of twins1585, a set of twins
were born, Judith andwere born, Judith and
Hamnet. Hamnet diedHamnet. Hamnet died
at the age of eleven inat the age of eleven in
1596.1596.
 No evidence was foundNo evidence was found
of Shakespeareof Shakespeare
between the years ofbetween the years of
1585 1592. These years1585 1592. These years
of Shakespeare's lifeof Shakespeare's life
were called "Thewere called "The
Hidden Years".Hidden Years".
Ann Hathaway's House

12. Shakespeare's MemorialShakespeare's Memorial
Places in Stratford on AvonPlaces in Stratford on Avon
Shakespeare’s Memorial Theater

14. Monument
to Lady
Macbeth

15. The Trinity
Church Where
William
Shakespeare
Was Baptized
And later
Buried.

16. A Stained-
Glass
Window

17. A Monument
to
William
Shakespeare

18. Hidden YearsHidden Years
 During Shakespeare's Hidden Years,During Shakespeare's Hidden Years,
many people suspected that he ranmany people suspected that he ran
away from the law or became aaway from the law or became a
butcher's apprentice. Christopherbutcher's apprentice. Christopher
Beston, called "The Chronicle of theBeston, called "The Chronicle of the
Stage", was also a prominentStage", was also a prominent
theatrical manager. Beston told Johntheatrical manager. Beston told John
Aubry, who wrote "Brief Lies", thatAubry, who wrote "Brief Lies", that
Shakespeare was probably a schoolShakespeare was probably a school
teacher during these years. Noteacher during these years. No
evidence was found of Shakespeare'sevidence was found of Shakespeare's
whereabouts until 1592 in London.whereabouts until 1592 in London.

19. London PeriodLondon Period
 In London, ShakespeareIn London, Shakespeare
established himself as anestablished himself as an
actor who began to writeactor who began to write
many plays. In 1593, hemany plays. In 1593, he
found a patron, Henryfound a patron, Henry
Wriothsley, to sponsorWriothsley, to sponsor
him. During this time, hehim. During this time, he
wrote two long poems. Hiswrote two long poems. His
first long poem, "Venusfirst long poem, "Venus
and Adonius", was writtenand Adonius", was written
in 1593. In 1594, he wrotein 1593. In 1594, he wrote
his second long poem,his second long poem,
“Lucrece". The theatres“Lucrece". The theatres
also opened again afteralso opened again after
the plague during thisthe plague during this
year.year.

20. The Globe TheaterThe Globe Theater
 Shakespeare worked forShakespeare worked for
"Lord Chamberlain's"Lord Chamberlain's
Men" company that laterMen" company that later
became "The King's Men"became "The King's Men"
in 1603 after King Jamesin 1603 after King James
I took over. This companyI took over. This company
became the largest andbecame the largest and
most famous actingmost famous acting
company becausecompany because
Shakespeare performedShakespeare performed
and worked for them. Hisand worked for them. His
plays were usuallyplays were usually
performed by thisperformed by this
company.company.

21. . All 154 of his sonnets were published
in 1609. At this time, Richard Burbage
was considered the greatest actor.
James Burbage, Richard's father, was
the first to build a theatre in London
called "The Theatre" in 1576. In 1599,
"The Globe" was built in a circular
shape.

22.  The plays in thisThe plays in this
theatre usuallytheatre usually
lasted for three days.lasted for three days.
The first day,The first day,
expenses were paid,expenses were paid,
the second day, thethe second day, the
actors were paid,actors were paid,
and the third day,and the third day,
the playwright wasthe playwright was
paid. Other theatrespaid. Other theatres
to follow were theto follow were the
following: "Thefollowing: "The
Curtain", "TheCurtain", "The
Rose", "The Swan",Rose", "The Swan",
"The Fortune", "The"The Fortune", "The
Red Bull", and "TheRed Bull", and "The
Hope".Hope".Hamlet

23.  As an actor, writer,As an actor, writer,
director, and adirector, and a
stockholder in "Thestockholder in "The
King's Men"King's Men"
company,company,
Shakespeare hadShakespeare had
multiple sources ofmultiple sources of
income. He wasincome. He was
becoming a verybecoming a very
wealthy man. Inwealthy man. In
1597, Shakespeare1597, Shakespeare
bought New Placebought New Place
which was a verywhich was a very
large house for hislarge house for his
family to live in.family to live in.

24. At the EndAt the End
 Shakespeare left London in 1611 andShakespeare left London in 1611 and
retired. On March 25, 1616,retired. On March 25, 1616,
Shakespeare made a will. He diedShakespeare made a will. He died
April 23, 1616 at the age of fifty-two.April 23, 1616 at the age of fifty-two.
The cause of his death was unknown.The cause of his death was unknown.
Many people believe that ShakespeareMany people believe that Shakespeare
knew he was dying; however, heknew he was dying; however, he
didn't want anyone to know that hedidn't want anyone to know that he
was.was.

25. The Modern Building of theThe Modern Building of the
Globe Theater in London.Globe Theater in London.

26.  At Shakespeare's time, after theAt Shakespeare's time, after the
graveyard was full, they wouldgraveyard was full, they would
dig one's corpse up and burn thedig one's corpse up and burn the
person's bones in a hugeperson's bones in a huge
fireplace. Some people wouldfireplace. Some people would
strip the corpse after the burial.strip the corpse after the burial.
Shakespeare hated this type ofShakespeare hated this type of
treatment after death, so hetreatment after death, so he
wrote his own epitaph.wrote his own epitaph.

27. Shakespeare's WillShakespeare's Will
 "Good Friends, for"Good Friends, for
Jesus' sakeJesus' sake
forbear,forbear,
To dig the bonesTo dig the bones
enclosed here!enclosed here!
Blest be the manBlest be the man
that spares thesethat spares these
stones,stones,
And curst be heAnd curst be he
that moves mythat moves my
bones."bones."

28.  Due to the fact that the people atDue to the fact that the people at
this time were superstitious, nothis time were superstitious, no
one ever bothered his corpse. Aone ever bothered his corpse. A
while ago, a few people wanted towhile ago, a few people wanted to
dig him up and check his bones todig him up and check his bones to
be sure that the person buriedbe sure that the person buried
there was Shakespeare. However,there was Shakespeare. However,
the government would not allow it.the government would not allow it.

29. Shakespeare's GraveShakespeare's Grave

32.  In 1623, Shakespeare's first folioIn 1623, Shakespeare's first folio
was published. The folio included:was published. The folio included:
154 sonnets, 37 plays, and 2 long154 sonnets, 37 plays, and 2 long
poems.poems.
 His friends compiled all of his workHis friends compiled all of his work
into this folio before anyone couldinto this folio before anyone could
reproduce his plays and claim themreproduce his plays and claim them
as their own.as their own.
 Many of his plays are famous andMany of his plays are famous and
are studied by students today.are studied by students today.

33. Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet

37. King LearKing Lear

40. The Twelfth NightThe Twelfth Night

43. HamletHamlet

48. Caesar and CleopatraCaesar and Cleopatra

49. Some SonnetsSome Sonnets Let me not to the marriage ofLet me not to the marriage of
true mindstrue minds Admit impediments.Admit impediments.
Love is not loveLove is not love
Which alters when it alterationWhich alters when it alteration
finds, Or bends with thefinds, Or bends with the
remover to remove: O no! it isremover to remove: O no! it is
an ever-fixed markan ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and isThat looks on tempests and is
never shaken; It is the star tonever shaken; It is the star to
every wandering bark,every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown,Whose worth's unknown,
although his height be taken.although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, thoughLove's not Time's fool, though
rosy lips and cheeksrosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle'sWithin his bending sickle's
compass come: Love alters notcompass come: Love alters not
with his brief hours and weeks,with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to theBut bears it out even to the
edge of doom. If this be erroredge of doom. If this be error
and upon me proved,and upon me proved, II
never writ, nor no man evernever writ, nor no man ever
loved.loved.
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and moreThou art more lovely and more
temperate:temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling budsRough winds do shake the darling buds
of May,of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short aAnd summer's lease hath all too short a
date:date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heavenSometime too hot the eye of heaven
shines,shines,
And often is his gold complexionAnd often is his gold complexion
dimm'd;dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometimeAnd every fair from fair sometime
declines,declines,
By chance, or nature's changingBy chance, or nature's changing
course, untrimm'd;course, untrimm'd;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade,But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thouNor lose possession of that fair thou
owest;owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st inNor shall Death brag thou wander'st in
his shade,his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thouWhen in eternal lines to time thou
growest;growest;
So long as men can breathe, or eyes canSo long as men can breathe, or eyes can
see,see,
So long lives this, and this gives life toSo long lives this, and this gives life to
thee.thee.

50. When in disgrace with fortune andWhen in disgrace with fortune and
men's eyes,men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcastI all alone beweep my outcast
state,state,
And trouble deaf Heaven with myAnd trouble deaf Heaven with my
bootless cries,bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curseAnd look upon myself, and curse
my fate,my fate,
Wishing me like to one more richWishing me like to one more rich
in hope,in hope,
Featur'd like him, like him withFeatur'd like him, like him with
friends possess'd,friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art, and thatDesiring this man's art, and that
man's scope,man's scope,
With what I most enjoyWith what I most enjoy
contented least:contented least:
Yet in these thoughts myselfYet in these thoughts myself
almost despising,almost despising,
Haply I think on thee,--and thenHaply I think on thee,--and then
my statemy state
(Like to the lark at break of day(Like to the lark at break of day
arisingarising
From sullen earth) sings hymnsFrom sullen earth) sings hymns
at heaven's gate;at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'dFor thy sweet love remember'd
such wealth bringssuch wealth brings
That then I scorn to change myThat then I scorn to change my
state with kings'.state with kings'.
Not marble, nor the gildedNot marble, nor the gilded
monumentsmonuments
Of princes, shall outlive thisOf princes, shall outlive this
powerful rhyme;powerful rhyme;
But you shall shine more brightBut you shall shine more bright
in these contentsin these contents
Than upswept stone,Than upswept stone,
besmear'd with sluttish time.besmear'd with sluttish time.
When wasteful war shallWhen wasteful war shall
statues overturn,statues overturn,
And broils root out the workAnd broils root out the work
of masonry,of masonry,
Nor Mars his sword nor war'sNor Mars his sword nor war's
quick fire shall burnquick fire shall burn
The living record of yourThe living record of your
memory.memory.
‘Gainst death and all oblivious‘Gainst death and all oblivious
enmityenmity
Shall you pace forth; yourShall you pace forth; your
praise shall still find room,praise shall still find room,
Even in the eyes of all posterityEven in the eyes of all posterity
That wear this world out toThat wear this world out to
the ending doom.the ending doom.
So, till the judgment thatSo, till the judgment that
yourself arise,yourself arise,
You live in this, and dwell inYou live in this, and dwell in
lovers' eyes.lovers' eyes.