ShakespearesChildhood1

Answer prepared by: Seffie Wilkinson**
 * WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT SHAKESPEARE’S CHILDHOOD? WHAT WAS SHAKESPEARE’S EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION LIKE IN STRATFORD-UPON-AVON? what was daily life like in stratford-upon-avon? WHAT IN HIS EARLY YEARS MAY HAVE INFLUENCED HIS LIFE AND CAREER? WHO ARE the QUEEN’S MEN AND WHAT ROLE MIGHT THEY HAVE PLAYED IN SHAKESPEARE’S EARLY YEARS?

 Shakespeare’s Childhood Shakespeare’s childhood was the foundation for his life as a playwright. His childhood started his interest in acting. From being taken to traveling acting troupes to all different kinds of festivals, Shakespeare had a very solid foundation for his acting life. According to the Shakespeare Resource Center, Shakespeare was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon in April of 1564. His actual birth date is not known, but many people believe that he was born on April 23. His father John Shakespeare was well thought of and came from an honorable family. According to Maria Kniery and Ruthie Minor and their article “William Shakespeare”, “he (John Shakespeare) gained many prestigious positions in the community.” His mother, Mary Arden-Shakespeare had also come from a very prominent family. Shakespeare had eight brothers and sisters, but several of them did not live through childhood.

According to the article “ Life in Elizabethan Stratford Upon Avon”, daily life in Stratford Upon Avon was not very exciting. It is a town in the heart of England, and in Shakespeare’s time it was not very large, with about 1,500 people living there. Despite the fact that it was small, the residents were very proud of their weekly market. Much of the production that went on was in wool, and the wool was sold in the center of the town. Shakespeare and his family lived right where all of this happened. Stratford-Upon-Avon would eventually increase in population as people from the cities decided to come to towns looking for employment. Occasionally, there were market festivals, and Royalty would come through the town because it was only about a four day walk to London. Daily life in Stratford Upon Avon was not very exciting but it offered new opportunities for people searching for a different future.

There are many different theories to how Shakespeare would have started acting, but one is because of this town. In the Elizabethan time period, acting troupes would travel around and perform for different towns. According to the book __Shakespeare; The World as a Stage__ by Bill Bryson, one theory is that there was a famous acting troupe called the Queen’s Men, which Shakespeare went to go see. Later on he may have been offered a position in their group, and left Stratford Upon Avon to go to London. Another theory is that Shakespeare would go with his father and see plays, which may have sparked his interest in acting. These theories are the basis of what Shakespeare’s life would be like in the future.

According to the article “Elizabethan Education”, it is believed that because of Shakespeare’s father’s prominent positions in the community, Shakespeare was able to go to school with little charge. Because of Shakespeare’s knowledge of Greek and Latin, we believe that Shakespeare attended Stratford Upon Avon’s Free Grammar School. Shakespeare would have started out in Petty School or elementary school, learning things that Queen Elizabeth felt should be taught like reading, writing, and lessons in behavior. Shakespeare then would have moved on to a Grammar school where he would learn more advanced material. His education would have ended around the age of 14 to 15. Shakespeare did not continue on to a University like some people did. This education was what helped him in the future.

Shakespeare’s life was filled with more than just play writing. He has a background that helped determine the rest of his life and where he went. Shakespeare’s childhood was the place where he became interested in acting and where one of the greatest and most influential playwrights was born. media type="youtube" key="uGyCC63gqeI" height="245" width="332" align="right"

** Works Cited ** Books Bryson, Bill. //Shakespeare: The World as a Stage//. 1. New York City,NY: HarperCollins, 2007. 43. Print.

Cooper, Tarnya. //Searching for Shakespeare//. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2006. 76. Print.  Websites Mabillard, Amanda. //William Shakespeare of Stratford: Shakespeare's Education and Childhood// __Shakespeare Online__. 4 April 2010 http://www.shakespeareonline.com/biography/shakespeareeducation.html >.  Unknown,. "Elizabethan Education." //Elizabethan Era//. Elizabethan Era, n.d. Web. 4 Apr 2010. .

Unknown,. "Life in Elizabethan Stratford Upon Avon." //William Shakespeare Info//. William Shakespeare Info, 2005. Web. 4 Apr 2010. < http://www.william-shakespeare.info/william-shakespeare-biography-stratford.htm>

Unknown,. "Shakespeare's Biography." //Shakespeare Resource Center//. Shakespeare Resource Center, 1997-2010. Web. 4 Apr 2010. .

Pictures and Videos

Picture of Shakespeare's House from:http: [|www.adamandlyn.co.uk/country/strat_house.shtml]

"Shakespeare: Birth and Schooling." //Youtube//. Web. 11 Apr 2010.