Top 10 William Shakespeare Facts

The Top Ten

  1. He spelled his own name multiple ways

    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.

  2. His work has been translated into 80 different languages

    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.

  3. He was missing for 7 years. No one knew how or where

    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.

  4. He wrote plays for 25 years, creating 37-38 plays

  5. He bought 107 acres of land worth around $1.5 million today

    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.

  6. He only bathed once a year

    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.

  7. He got Anne Hathaway (wife) pregnant before marriage

    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.

  8. His Globe Theatre burnt down by a fire from a cannon

    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.

  9. When he was 18, he married a woman who was 28

  10. He was the third of eight children

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  11. ?

    He wore a gold hoop earring

  12. ?

    Caodaism is a Vietnamese religion that worships Joan of Arc, Shakespeare, and Muhammad

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  13. He died on April 23, 1616

    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.

  14. He first used about 1,700 English words in (credited by OED)

  15. His scenery from London Bridge was headless bodies from executions

    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.

  16. He had three children

  17. Shakespeare's brother-in-law died one week before Shakespeare died

  18. He was born on April 23, 1564

  19. It is estimated that he first used about 1,700 English words commonly used nowadays

  20. He was from Stratford, England

  21. The longest word he used is "honorificabilitudinitatibus"

  22. He had over 2,000 idioms under his name

  23. The first of his plays that had been published is Henry VI, Part Two, which appeared in 1594

  24. He started writing sonnets at 29 years old

  25. He was once attacked by Robert Greene, the playwright

  26. His cousin, Edward Arden, was arrested and executed for plotting against Queen Elizabeth I

  27. He didn't trust Thomas, husband of his daughter Judith

    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.

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