8-2Retirement

 What was Shakespeare’s retirement and later life like in Stratford-upon-Avon? // Answer prepared by Colin H. // The retirement of Shakespeare was strange. While he did a vast majority of his works in London, in 1610, Shakespeare appeared to have retired in Stratford-upon-Avon. He left Stratford to work in London and finally returned home after nearly twenty years. William Shakespeare would work in London, but would then return his business interests at his home. All of his family lived in Stratford. His brother, Edmund had joined him in the London but had died of the plague in 1607. There was no real reason for Shakespeare to leave London and no real reason why he left the city. People think that maybe he wanted to leave the noisy, crowded city of London and return to the peaceful countryside with his family. Another thought is that he did not seem to have enjoyed good health, which may have been the cause of his early retirement.

Shakespeare did return to London to visit. In 1611, the first recorded performances of The Winter’s Tale, Macbeth, the Tempest and Cymbeline were played in London. He most likely would return to watch his plays being acted. Some of the performances were even seen by King James I himself! It must have been an honor for Shakespeare to see his wonderful performances and the reactions he received from friends, family and others. Soon after Shakespeare retired, on June 29th 1613 the Globe Theatre, the theater where many of Shakespeare’s plays were cast, burned down. Six months later the theater was re-built with the help of William Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s two daughters, Judith and Susanna both had daughters of their own. Judith’s three children all died at an early age and Susana’s only daughter died issueless in 1670. Once all of them had passed away, for some fifty-years after, no direct descendent of Shakespeare was left in this world.

Works Cited

Kniery, Maria, Minor Ruthie. "William Shakespeare." Shakespeare. 12 Mar 2009 . 

"Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon." The Retirement of William Shakespeare. 8 March 2009 .

"Shakespeare's Life." British Library. 12 Mar 2009 .  Sharma, Ashok. "Shakespeare Retirement and Death." William Shakespeare //Life and Biography 8 March 2009 //

  