8-1Retirement

WHAT WAS SHAKESPEARE’S RETIREMENT AND LATER LIFE IN STRATFORD-UPON-AVON LIKE? //Answer prepared by Gabby P.//  Thirteen years and around twenty four plays later, Shakespeare began to consider retirement. In 1610, William Shakespeare officially retired to Stratford-upon-Avon. Instead, he had left his home in Stratford for London sometime before 1592 - an absence of nearly 20 years. William had lived in lodgings in London before buying his own house, a small cabin to the main entrance to the vast monastery of the Black Friars, next to Blackfriars’ Theatre. Shakespeare had become rich and famed living in London, but had kept business interests in his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon! He was part owner of the Globe Theatre, and the Blackfriars’ Playhouse, taking 10% of the profits. This must have been a considerable sum, which Shakespeare would have received regardless of his location during this time period. All of his family lived in Stratford at that time. His brother, Edmund had joined him in the London but had tragically died of the plague in 1607. Some people may wonder why? Why retire? No particular event seems to have prompted Shakespeare's retirement and return to Stratford-upon-Avon, although. Perhaps he just wanted to leave the raucous and rowdy city of London for the serene and tranquil countryside and the comfort of his family suggests the article “Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon” from the website //William Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon//. William had bought New Place in Stratford-upon-Avon, a magnificent house with servants and other property in the location. New Place was on Chapel Street, which was one of the main streets in Stratford during this time period. William purchased the building in 1597 for £60, while he was at the peak of his career. Although he mainly worked through London, Shakespeare gradually now started moving towards and working towards Stratford. Finally in 1610, William settled in New Place until his death in 1616. New Place was extraordinarily impressive; it was the second largest building in Stratford and was the only house made from brick, as stated in the article “//Nash’s House/New Place- Shakespeare’s Home//”. Shakespeare also had interests in the corn and malt trades in Stratford. Although William moved to Stratford, it doesn’t mean he didn’t visit London. For instance, on June 29th 1613 the Globe Theatre was burnt to the ground and re-built six months later says Tarnya Cooper in __Searching for Shakespeare.__ Works Cited Cooper, Tarnya. __Searching For Shakespeare__. 1. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2006.

"Nash's House/New Place - Shakespeare's Home." 5 Apr 2009 .

"Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon." __William Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon__ 10 Mar  2009 . 