William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)
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j BACKGROUND
Born in Stratford, the son of Mary and John Shakespeare, a glover, wool dealer, and local politician
Attended grammar school
Probably inspired by traveling shows he saw as a child
At 18 years old, he married Anne Hathaway, who was eight years his senior
j CAREER
By 1592, he was established in London as an actor, playwright, poet, director; and later theater owner
Member of the royal companies, Queen Elizabeth's "The Chamberlain's Men" and King James' "The Kings Men"
Built the playhouse "The Globe" in 1599
j WORKS
Wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and several narrative poems
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
The Tempest
j QUOTE
"What's past is prologue." -- The Tempest
"We are such stuff as dreams are made on and our little life is rounded with a sleep." -- The Tempest
"What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." -- Romeo & Juliet
j SIGNIFICANCE
Brilliant and poetic use of language (he coined many words and phrases that have become popular idioms still in use today)
Round, psychologically complex characters
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