8-2Children

WHO WERE SHAKESPEARE’S CHILDREN? WHAT WAS SHAKESPEARE’S RELATIONSHIP WITHT THEM LIKE? Answer prepared by Sarah S William Shakespeare had three children. Their names were Susanna, Judith, and Hamnet. Susanna, the oldest of the three, was born in May, 1583. Anne, William's wife, was pregnant with Susanna when she and William got married. Susanna was baptized at the Stratford Parish Church on May 26th, 1583. Two years later in 1585, the twins, Judith and Hamnet were born. Judith and Hamnet were baptized at the Stratford Parish Church on February 2nd, 1585. William and Anne named the twins after their dear friends, Hamnet and Judith Sadler.

While William was working on his plays in London, Anne raised the three children. The family lived in William's father’s house in Stratford, England. The records show that none of Shakespeare’s children went to school, or knew how to read and write. During the Elizabethan age, there were many outbreaks of the Black Plague. Hamnet caught the disease at age eleven and died in 1596. He was buried in Stratford on August 11, 1596. "It is argued that Hamlet was evidence of Hamnet's death", explained by Lee Jaimieson, author of "'Hamlet'- What happens in 'Hamlet'?". The relationship between William and his children was very slim. He was mostly working in London when the children were growing up. But when Hamnet passed away, William was devastated.

A picture of Shakespeares children (I think- I searched it on on google.......so dont blame me if i'm wrong)

Linda, Alchin. "William Shakespeare- His Children and Grandchildren." //William Shakespeare Info//. 2004. Alchin, L.K. William Shakespeare info. 16 Apr 2009 .

Jamieson, Lee. "William Shakespeare – A Biography." //About.com: Shakespeare //. 2009. About.com. 20 Apr 2009 [].   Jamieson, Lee. "'Hamlet' – What Happens in 'Hamlet'?." //About.com: Shakespeare //. 2000. About.com. 20 Apr 2009 []. 