The Real Shakespeare (Magill’s Literary Annual 1991-2005)
At a glance:
- Author: Eric Sams
- First Published: 1995
- Type of Work: Biography; literary criticism
- Time of Work: 1564-1594
- Setting: Stratford, Lancashire, and London, England
- Principal Characters: William Shakespeare, John Shakespeare, Robert Greene, Thomas Kyd, Sir Thomas Lucy, Thomas Nashe, Fernando Stanley, Lord Strange
- Genres: Criticism, Nonfiction, Biography
- Subjects: Literature, Catholics or Catholic Church, Shakespeare, William, or Shakespearean plays
- Locales: London, England, Stratford-upon-Avon, England, Lancashire, England
The documentary record of William Shakespeare’s life to 1592 is sparse. Even his birthdate is uncertain. The Stratford-on-Avon parish register notes only the baptism of “Gulielmus filius Johannis Shakespeare” on April 26, 1564. About 1743, William Oldys first suggested April 23 as the date of birth, convenient since Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616. That is St. George’s Day; the national poet and the patron saint of England thus could share the celebration.
The records of the Stratford grammar school for the 1570’s do not survive. Presumably Shakespeare would have...
[The entire page is 2027 words long]
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