8-4EarlyLife&Education

Prepared by John G
Shakespeare is believed to have been born on April 23, 1564, though there are no official records showing this. What is known is that he was baptized on April 26th, and it was custom to be baptized three or four days after birth. Shakespeare was the 3rd of 8 children, but the first to survive childhood. Three of his siblings died in childhood, two due to the plague. Most believe Shakespeare was born in the family home in Stratford-Upon-Avon. His dad, John, was a glover and leather merchant. Some people think his dad was illiterate. His mom, Mary, was a landed local heiress. Her family was a distant branch of a wealthy family and lived well. During William’s childhood, his dad did very well in his business but later, in the 1570's, his business declined. Not much is known about His childhood but we can make very educated guesses to find out as much as possible.  A great writing mind such as Shakespeare must have had some education right, see for yourself.  There is no official record of Shakespeare attending school, but it is believed he attended the grammar school in Stratford. At the school the students learned Latin and Greek grammar, and received a religious education. The reason most people believe that he attended this school was his knowledge of Latin and Greek. In addition, according to Shakespeare’s first biographer his dad, John, placed him in a free school and the grammar school was free of charge and open to all local boys who could read and write. As you know, Shakespeare could both read and write. It is not clear how long he attended the school. Most students left at age 15 or 16 but Shakespeare may have been forced to leave early due to his dad’s financial problems. There is no record of Shakespeare attending university, so most people believe he didn’t attend one. Was Shakespeare’s mind just spectacular or was he spectacularly educated we may never know.

At the age of 18 Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, who was 26. This marriage is surrounded in controvery, because on November 27, 1582, a marriage license was granted to Shakespeare and Anne Whateley. A man named Anthony Burgess said Shakespeare “Went on skin-buying errands to Temple Grafton.” This is Important because it is believed Anne Whately was from Temple Grafton. Then, on November 28, 1582, there’s a record of Shakespeare marrying Anne Hathaway. Even more interesting 6 months later Shakespeare’s first child was born to Hathaway. These facts have caused many people to believe that Shakespeare only married Hathaway because she was pregnant. It is unclear if this is true because in the license and record of marriage the names are spelled incorrectly. The license say “Wm Shaxpere” and “Anne Whateley” in the marriage record it says “William Shagspere” and “Anne Hathwey.” Were Whately and Hathaway the same person or was Shakespeare in a love triangle? The world may never know.

Works Cited

Best, Michael. "Shakespeare's Childhood." //Internetshakespeare.com//. nov 2005. Internet Shakespeare. 14 Apr 2009 . Bryson, Bill. //Shakespeare: world as a Stage//. 1st. New York City: Harper collins, 2007. 