8-4Death&Grave

How and when did Shakespeare die? What is his grave like? //Answered prepared by: Emily W//  William Shakespeare, a poetic, artistic, loyal man. William had perfected Drama, so to speak. He created world-renowned plays that date back to the late 1600’s. He was the man of the century. People from all over the London area knew and loved Shakespeare’s work. Not only did he write some of the most known plays in the world, he left behind many treasures when he died. On April 23, 1616, Sir William Shakespeare died; the cause of death was unknown though. Bruce Robinson expressed in his documentation on Shakespeare, “Many imagine that he was sick for quite some time. This is thought of because when his will was read. The date of which he wrote in his will was March 25, 1616. Twenty-nine days before he passed. This evidence is concluded to that he was already sick.” Why would anyone make changes to their will for fun? I surly wouldn’t. Two days later on April 25th Shakespeare was buried in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. Where 52 years before he was baptized. How could a man be buried in a church? Well it is quite simple actually. Underneath the floorboards around 17 feet bellow is a chancel rail, Chancel Rail is a space around the altar in the church, sometimes the choir uses it. Many are lined with lattice or railing. It perfect for a coffin. So of course the world famous play writer had the honor to being buried there. His tomb though is what creates many questions and myths. Upon his stone covered coffin, a supposal curse is subscribed.  “Good Friend for Jesus sake forbear To dig the dust enclosed here! Blest be the man that spares these stones, And crust be he the moves my bones.”  In the London it was common for families to create curses and write them on their loved ones tombs. Shakespeare like everybody else had a curse. No one knows whether he wrote it or if someone else did. It has been effective though, Shakespeare’s has not been touched and his grave has not been opened. Actually this statement is false; Shakespeare grave had been removed when the stone on the original grave had been so heavy. It caused his grave to sink into the floor, making the room about a couple inches deeper. Thus, the town fathers replaced the stone with the identical inscription on it. That is enough to give you the willy-nilly.

To this day, Shakespeare grave still stands how it was back in 1616 when he was buried. Right along beside him are his children, and wife, sort of like a family reunion only in heaven though. He achieved the highest honors a man could ever wish for. Though he has been died for hundreds of years he still lives with us through his plays. He put his heart and soul into his work. Giving the world the most fantastic plays ever written by man.

Work Cited: Alcin, Linda. “William Shakespeare & his Children.” [Online]  [|http://www.william-shakespeare.info/william-shakespeare-children-and- grandchildren.htm]. Accessed on March 8th 2009. Best, Michael. Shakespeare's Life and Times. Internet Shakespeare Editions, University of Victoria: Victoria, BC, 2001-2005. . Visited [March 8th 2009].