Primary Sources In William Shakespeare's Life

William Shakespeare was a poet and playwright during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was born on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom and died on April 23, 1616. William Shakespeare is best remembered for his plays that capture the complete range of human emotion and conflict. Even though Shakespeare's plays have such a great impact on history and modern-day education, most of Shakespeare's personal life remains a mystery. There are only two primary sources that provide historians with a basic outline of his life which consists of his work and official documentation such as church and court records. However, these sources provide brief sketches of specific events throughout his life and supply little information on the person who experienced those events. Shakespeare was very dedicated to his work. He spent most of his time in the city writing and acting and came home once a year during the 40-day Lenten period, when the theaters were closed. By 1599, William Shakespeare and his business partners built their own theater, Globe, on the south bank of the Thames River. Shakespeare was also an entrepreneur. In 1605, Shakespeare

Even though official records from the Holy Trinity Church and the Stratford government record the existence of a William Shakespeare, none of these sources can attest to him being an actor or playwright. However, the majority of Shakespearean scholars agree that William Shakespeare wrote all his own plays. They point out that other playwrights of the time also had sketchy histories and came from modest backgrounds. Even though there is much skepticism about the life and written works of Shakespeare, one thing remains constant. The influence of William Shakespeare on the development of civilizations, eduction, and the lives of people will continue to