8-2Hathaway

WHO WAS SHAKESPEARE’S WIFE? WHAT WAS SHAKESPEARE’S RELATIONSHIP WITH HER LIKE? //Answered prepared by Maddie P.// Shakespeare and his wife, Anne, were a controversial couple. Many ponder if Shakespeare only married Anne Hathaway because he had to due to her pregnancy.

Shakespeare married his wife, Anne Hathaway when he was 18 and she was 26. Anne was born in 1556 and lived in Shottery, a small village, inside of Stratford. Anne lived with her brother in their home after their parents had passed away. Historians think that Anne and Shakespeare met on a stroll in Stratford. In 1582 Anne became pregnant and William wanted to marry before the pregnancy was too far along and so they married in a Catholic church service.

At 18, William was still troubled and struggling with his father’s collapsing business, while Anne knew the world well. She had experienced much more than William ever had, making her a more mature, wise and an all around cautious person.

Anne brought a dowry, money, goods and an estate, into the marriage from her fathers’ death. Anne and William lived together for about three years before he left for London. They married in 1582 and he left to go to London with a group of actors from 1585-1589. After Shakespeare left for London, Anne gave birth to their first daughter, Susanna in 1582. In 1583 she gave birth to their set of twins, Judith and Hamnet.

Once William turned 21 they didn’t have any more children but instead frequent absences when William traveled on tour and to set up a house in London.

While in London Shakespeare grew wealthy and prospered while his work was well known and loved. In London he experienced more than Anne ever would.

There are records that William didn’t necessarily want to marry Anne Hathaway but another Anne, Anne Whateley. William may have been forced to marry Anne Hathaway for the sole reason, she was pregnant before they were wed. Pregnancy before a marriage was scorned upon in Stratford and William’s father in particular would not have been pleased to hear such news. And so a “hasty marriage was arranged between the Hathaway and Shakespeare family,” according to L.K. Alchin "The Wife of William Shakespeare" //William Shakespeare Biography.//

We may never know if Shakespeare was involved with both women or who he intended to marry but “he was under the age of consent that his father would have had to agree to the marriage. Interestingly, Anne and William chose to marry through the Bishop, allowing them to marry faster than with The Reading of Banns--” from L.K. Alchin "The Wife of William Shakespeare" //William Shakespeare Biography.//

Other evidence shows a record of Shakespeare leaving his “second best bed” to his wife, Anne, causing people to believe in his private affairs and relationships, according to Francois Laroque //The Age of Shakespeare//. Anne was a debated figure. We are certain that she indeed had three children with Shakespeare while he was away in London and that Shakespeare may have actually been in love with another woman.

Works Cited:
 * 1) Alchin, L.K.. "The Wife of William Shakespeare." __William Shakespeare Biography__ 20 Mar 2008 8 Mar 2009 .
 * 2) Laroque, Francois. //The Age of Shakespeare//. Abrams INC. : DK Publishing, 1993.
 * 3) Love, Mark . "In Search of Shakespeare ." __Anne Hathaway__ (2003) 8 Mar 2009 .