Top 10 William Shakespeare Facts
During the time he was alive, in the 1500s, it was actually okay to have spelling mistakes. The idea of standard spelling didn't exist. In fact, he spelled his name in many different ways. An example is shown in Elise Broach's novel Shakespeare's Secret, which states, "Shakespeare couldn't even spell his own name." This, though, does not make him stupid or dyslexic.
- Page 5, 4th Paragraph
Shuter, Paul. William Shakespeare: A Man For All Times. Heinemann Library, 2014.
Shakespeare is still very well known for his plays and written work, and so his work has been translated into 80 different languages! These include Chinese, Italian, Armenian, Bengali, Tagalog, Uzbek, Krio, and many more.
Edwards, Ellen. "10 Ways To Be a Shakespeare Expert." Folger Shakespeare Library. N.p., 2016. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.
In 1585, Shakespeare was 21, the year the twins were baptized in Stratford. The next time we knew anything about him was when he was a playwright in London in 1592. Where did the past seven years go? No one actually knew. Where he was and what he was doing remains a mystery.
There isn't any evidence linking Shakespeare with a specific occupation at the time.
- Page 18, 1st Paragraph
Shuter, Paul. William Shakespeare: A Man For All Times. Heinemann Library, 2014.
We know Shakespeare lived in London in 1597, but we also know that on May 1st, 1602, Shakespeare bought 127 acres (51 hectares) of land and rights on common land for 320 pounds or $490! In the English Midlands in 2013, farmable land was sold for 7,500 pounds or $11,500 an acre!
With today's prices, Shakespeare's land would cost more than 1 million pounds or $1.5 million. He was not a farmer, though. One thought is that he rented out the land to generate income, as that is how a gentleman was expected to live back in the day.
- Page 47, Paragraph 5
Shuter, Paul. William Shakespeare: A Man For All Times. Heinemann Library, 2014.
Hygiene wasn't the strongest in Shakespeare's childhood. Young William only got a bath once a year during May, and it was a big occasion for them. The water had to be fetched by his mother, who spent hours boiling it. She would then fill a barrel or any big tub they had.
Father bathed first, then any other men in the house, women, and finally the children. But by the time it was the baby's turn, the water was already thick, black, and filled with dirt.
- Last Paragraph
"Shakespeare's Early Childhood." No Sweat Shakespeare. N.p., 2004. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.
He wanted to get married in November 1582, but at the time, he was too young. He could only decide for himself at the age of 21. Evidence has already proven that Shakespeare married a young woman named Anne Hathaway. Their fathers even knew each other. She was more independent than most women at the time due to the deaths of both her mother and father in 1581. She would inherit the money once she was married. Though she was older than William, she was three months pregnant.
The pregnancy explains the need to get married quickly, which was held in Temple Grafton, a village 8 km west of Stratford. It may have been the location of the church where they were married.
- Page 15, Paragraph "Which Anne"
Shuter, Paul. William Shakespeare: A Man For All Times. Heinemann Library, 2014.
In 1613, during one of Shakespeare's plays, there were very amusing special effects. They had ghosts, witches, loud bangs, flames, smoke, drums, and most importantly, real-life cannons. The cannon set fire to the straw on the roof, causing it to burn down.
That was the end of the Globe. Fortunately, a replica was made in London and opened in 1997.
"BBC - Primary History - Famous People - William Shakespeare." William Shakespeare. BBC, 2014. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.
Shakespeare lived in London, so he would have crossed London Bridge many times. As he did, he would see the impaled heads of executed traitors, which was a very common sight, reminding him to be very careful about involving himself in politics.
"21 Facts About Shakespeare's London." No Sweat Shakespeare. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.
Shakespeare died on April 23rd, 1616, in Stratford and was buried inside the church two days later, a week before his sister Joan's husband died. We are not quite sure how he died, but some historians think the cause was an outbreak of typhus in town.
- Page 68, "Shakespeare's Monuments"
Shuter, Paul. William Shakespeare: A Man For All Times. Heinemann Library, 2014.
Back in the day and even now, people usually made their wills when they felt they were close to death. William Shakespeare made a draft of his will in January 1616, just a few months before he died. But the will was changed in March. He crossed out "Son in L" in a sentence, indicating that he did not trust Thomas, the husband of his daughter Judith.
- Page 66
Shuter, Paul. William Shakespeare: A Man For All Times. Heinemann Library, 2014.