8-1Hathaway

Who was Shakespeare’s Wife? What was Shakespeare’s relationship with her? //Answer Prepared By: Andrea R// Shakespeare’s wife was Anne Hathaway. She grew up in Shottery, which is a small town outside of Stratford. Her actual date of birth is unknown, but what we do know is that when she died in 1623, she was 67. So, we then know her year of birth is 1556. Anne Hathaway was the oldest of 8 children so she had lots of responsibility. Since women around the time that Anne Hathaway grew up didn’t go to school, it was presumed that she had no formal education. According to William-Shakespeare.info she was brought up “learning how to govern a household and become skilled in all housewifely duties”. Anne Hathaway was eight years older then William Shakespeare. Anne was 26 when she married Shakespeare, so that means he was 18. But, even from the beginning, their marriage was troubled. It was speculated that even before they were married, Anne was pregnant with William’s child. Also, the recordings at the Episcopal register at Worcester said that on the same day, Shakespeare wanted to marry two different girls named Anne. On the website William-Shakespeare.info, the recordings Episcopal register at Worcester on November 27th, 1582 stated that “ November 27th 1582 the issue of a marriage license to one Wm Shakespeare stating the following: Anno Domini 1582...Novembris...27 die eiusdem mensis. Item eodem die supradicto emanavit Licentia inter Wm Shaxpere et Annam Whateley de Temple Grafton.” The other woman was named Anne Whateley. These documents raised great speculation. Was it just some mistake in the records, or did Shakespeare actually plan on marrying two different girls that day, both ironically named Anne? That is one question that will not and cannot ever be answered. Six months after Anne and William were married, she gave birth to her daughter Susanna. Two years later, Anne had twins named Hamnet and Judith.They were named after their dear friends Hamnet Sadler and his wife Judith. Then, Shakespeare decided to leave Stratford and his young family to move to London to “make his fortune”. Anne and their three children stayed in Stratford.On August 6th, 1623, Anne Hathaway died at the age of 67. There marriage may have seemed to be perfect, but it was far from it. But, many questions were asked. Did Shakespeare just marry Anne Hathaway because of her pregnancy or because he actually loved her? We will never know for certain. Works Cited- Aagesen, Colleen, Marige Bloomburg. //Shakespeare for Kids//. 1. Chicago, Illinois Chicago Review Press, 1999. Print. "Anne Hathaway." //In Search of Shakespeare the Player//. 2003. PBS. 14 Apr 2009 . "Anne Hathaway Biography." //William Shakespeare the Complete Works//. 2003. William Shakespeare. 14 Apr 2009 []. http://www.pbs.org/shakespeare/images/players/anne-hathaway2.jpg