Interesting Facts About Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is one of the most famous and influential playwrights and poets in history. His works have been translated into over 50 languages and his plays continue to be performed throughout the world. Here are some interesting facts about Shakespeare that you may not know.

Shakespeare’s Life

1. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564 and died in 1616.
2. Shakespeare was the third of eight children.
3. Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in 1582 and had three children with her.
4. Shakespeare was an actor, playwright, and poet.
5. Shakespeare’s plays have been translated into more than 50 languages.

Notable Works

6. Shakespeare wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets.
7. His most famous plays include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
8. Some of his plays were written for the court of Queen Elizabeth I.
9. His sonnets are some of the most famous in the English language.

Influence on the English Language

10. Shakespeare is credited with introducing more than 1,700 words into the English language.
11. He is also believed to have invented more than 200 phrases that are still used today.
12. Some examples of phrases he is credited with inventing include “To be or not to be”, “All’s well that ends well”, and “It’s all Greek to me”.

The Globe Theatre

13. Shakespeare was a part-owner of the Globe Theatre in London.
14. The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 and destroyed by fire in 1613.
15. It was rebuilt in 1614 and is still in operation today.

Controversy

16. There is some controversy over who actually wrote Shakespeare’s plays.
17. Some believe that Shakespeare did not write the plays and that they were written by another author.
18. There is no definitive proof as to who wrote the plays.

Legacy

19. Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language.
20. He has been an influence on many authors and playwrights throughout the centuries.
21. His works are still being studied and performed in theatres around the world.

Death

22. Shakespeare died on April 23rd, 1616.
23. His cause of death is unknown, but some believe it was due to a fever.
24. He was buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The Lost Works

25. There are six lost works attributed to Shakespeare that are known to exist.
26. These include two narrative poems, a play called The Birth of Merlin, and three lost plays.
27. Scholars are still searching for these lost works.

Shakespeare’s Family

28. Shakespeare had three siblings, a sister Judith and two brothers, Gilbert and Richard.
29. He had two sons, Hamnet and Susanna, and a daughter, Judith.
30. His granddaughter Elizabeth Hall was the first woman in England to be listed as a professional actress.

William Shakespeare has left an indelible mark on the English language and culture. His works have been studied, performed, and enjoyed for centuries. His influence on literature and language is still felt today, and his legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.