Joey Saves The Day!: Facts about William Shakespeare

Learn some quick facts about

William Shakespeare.

This week’s famous poet is William Shakespeare. Last week’s famous poet was Robert Frost.

William Shakespeare, a luminary in the world of literature, penned over one hundred and fifty poems, sonnets, and plays. Born in Stratford, England, to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden, he was one of eight siblings. His works, a testament to his genius, continue to inspire and captivate readers and audiences worldwide.

Continue reading to find out more about William Shakespeare.

Here is a list of some poems by William Shakespeare:

The Phoenix and the Turtle
Sigh No More
Fidele
A Fairy Song
Dear Friend
Love
Orpheus
Bridal
Silvia
Fear No More

Parents/caretakers, be sure poems are child-friendly before reading them to your child/children.

Do you like poetry?

Quick facts about William Shakespeare:

1. William Shakespeare was born in Stratford, England, on April 23, 1564.

He died on April 23, 1616, in Stratford, England. He was fifty-two years old. He died from an unknown cause. He is buried at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Stratford, England.

2. William Shakespeare was not only a poet; he also wrote plays. He was also an actor in some of the plays he wrote and plays he did not write. He performed plays for many people, including Queen Elizabeth I, who was a patron of the arts and a great admirer of his work. He retired from acting in 1613.

3. The following is one of William Shakespeare’s poems, a beautiful example of his lyrical style and the themes he often explored in his poetry:

Orpheus

Orpheus with his lute made trees

And the mountain tops that freeze

Bow themselves when he did sing:

To his music plants and flowers

Ever sprung; as sun and showers

There had made a lasting spring.

Every thing that heard him play,

Even the billows of the sea,

Hung their heads and then lay by.

In sweet music is such art,

Killing care and grief of heart

Fall asleep, or hearing, die.

(You can print out a worksheet on this poem. You will fill in the missing words in the poem)

4. William Shakespeare died on his birthday, leaving behind a rich literary legacy that continues to inspire and captivate readers and audiences worldwide. He supposedly wrote this epitaph for his tomb, a testament to his wit and the lasting impact of his work:

Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear,

To dig the dust enclosed here.

Blessed be the man that spares these stones,

And cursed be he that moves my bones.

5. William Shakespeare may have been educated at the King’s New School in Stratford, England, a renowned institution of its time. However, few records survive to prove his education, leaving much of his intellectual development a mystery.

6. William Shakespeare had seven siblings, each of whom played a significant role in his life and work. Here is a list of their names, a glimpse into the family that shaped the world's most celebrated playwright:

Joan Shakespeare (1558-1559*)
Margaret Shakespeare (1562-1563)
Gilbert Shakespeare (1566-1612)
Joan Shakespeare (1569-1646)
Anne Shakespeare (1571-1579)
Richard Shakespeare (1574-1613)
Edmund Shakespeare (1580-1607)

7. William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway when he was 18 years old. They had three children. The two youngest children were fraternal twins. Here is a list of their children:

Susanna Shakespeare Hall (1583-1649)
Hamnet Shakespeare (1585-1596)
Judith Shakespeare Quiney (1585-1662)

8. He wrote over thirty-five plays, each with its unique themes and characters. His plays have been translated into almost every language in the world, a testament to their universal appeal. Here is a list of some of William Shakespeare’s plays, each of which has left an indelible mark on the world of literature and theater:

Romeo and Juliet
Othello
King Lear
Julius Ceasar
Henry V
The Tempest
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
The Comedy of Errors
The Winter’s Tale
Macbeth

9. Actress Anne Jacqueline Hathaway was named after William Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway.

Do you have an interesting fact about William Shakespeare? We'd love to hear from you! Share your insights with our community in the comments section below.