8-2Death&Grave

The Death Heard 'Round the World //Answer prepared by Joey J//

William Shakespeare's life was filled with achievements that no one had ever thought possible. Even though he wasn't world renowned at the time, his legacy will not be forgotten. There are many things that William had done for the world and one was building the Globe Theatre 1599. At the time of Shakespeare, there were four magnificent theaters in the area. Bardweb says that the Swan, The Rose, The Globe, and the Hope were the four main theaters. The Globe was the most elaborate building out of the four buildings in the area. It was built and designed for Lord Chamberlain's men and Shakespeare was a part of this company because he was one of the five actors that co-owned the lease for the land. This was the main stage for Shakespeare's acting company and this is where many famous plays were presented, such as "As You Like It" and "Henry VIII". Aside from the Globe, William has also introduced much to our very own English language. Bardweb remarks that Shakespeare has contributed nearly 3,000 words to the Oxford English Dictionary. The last major thing that William did for the world was created the First Folio. Shakespeare the World as a Stage (25-30), by Bill Bryson, states that the First Folios included over 15 different plays that William had written. The First Folio included the name of the play, the author, and the script to each of the plays. It also included a preface to begin the First Folios which helped the reader and prepared him/her for what they were about to read. Shakespeare's life was not all about fame and fortune. William Shakespeare info remarks that Shakespeare wedded Anne Hathaway at age 18 while she was 26. She was pregnant at the time and the families did not want to get involved in a scandal, therefore, Shakespeare was somewhat forced to marry Anne. William and Anne had an adorable girl named Sussana in 1583. Two years later in 1585, they bore twins named Hamnet and Judith Shakespeare. During the years of Shakespeare, the plague epidemic was at its apex. Many people died every day due to disease and it had a massive impact on London at the time. Shakespeare's death will not be forgotten. Internet Shakespeare says that William Shakespeare has been said to be born on April 23rd in 1564. His death followed on April 25th, 1616 making him 52 years old and two days at the time of his death. No one really does know how Shakespeare died, but some speculate that he died of illness. For evidence, scholars use his will where it states that he is sick, it is signed on March 25, 1616. William was buried on April 25th, 1616 in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford. He was baptized at this same church 52 years ago. His tomb lies beneath the floor of the church inside the chancel rail. A chancel rail is the space around the altar of a church for the clergy and sometimes the choir, often enclosed by a lattice or railing.It is covered in stone and has a peculiar curse written upon it and it reads, "Good friend for Jesus sake forbear. To dig the dust enclosed here. Blest be the man that spares these stones,and curst be he that moves my bones." I think that Shakespeare is trying to say in this curse that I will let you go if you do not touch my tomb. Though, if you try to move me, I shall curse you.

Even though, William Shakespeare's death was a very dismal and sad time, his contributions to literature lived on. William Shakespeare info says in 1 740, a memorial statue to Shakespeare was erected in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey. Tales from Shakespeare (45-46), by Tina Packer, says that his marvelous plays would never had been possible if it were not for the Globe. He would not be the amazing play writer and actor he was because the Globe was where people heard the name of William Shakespeare. The words that Shakespeare had created for the English language gave each of his plays a certain intensity that could not be present if not for his new words. The plays would not have the same kind of impact if William had no created the many words that he contributed to the English language. Since Shakespeare has created many new words to English, he is as popular as he was than, as he is now. When the First Folios were discovered, it helped scholars learn much more about Shakespeare. With the First Folios, they could study the exact language that William used. The scholars could find what the plays true scripts were allowing them to create versions of their own. William Shakespeare accomplished many things and I mentioned only a few, his life can be said to have changed the world forever. Works Cited Bryson, Bill. __Shakespeare The World as Stage__. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2007. Packer, Tina. __Tales from Shakespeare__. New York: Scholastic Press, 2004.

"The sources Shakespeare used for his plays." //Internet Shakespeare//. Internet Shakespeare Editions. 14 Apr 2009. .

"William Shakespeare Biography." //William Shakespeare info//. William Shakespeare Site-Map. 14 Apr 2009. <  http://www.william-shakespeare .info/william-shakespeare-biography.html>.