Shakespeare for Beginners

1. Where was Shakespeare Born?

Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. You can still visit the very room in which it is believed that Shakespeare was born.

2. Where did Shakespeare live?

Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564, but moved to London in late 1580s. He spent most of his working life in London, but retired to Stratford-upon-Avon in the final few years of his life.

3. When did Shakespeare die?

William Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616, his 52nd birthday. In truth, the exact date is not known as only a record of his burial two days later has survived.

4. Where is Shakespeare buried?

Shakespeare was buried in Stratford-upon-Avon’s Holy Trinity Church. For a small fee, you can visit his grave inside the church and read his epitaph.

5. What was theater like in Shakespeare’s day?

Back in the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods, theater was the dominant form of entertainment. It was a social event and people would talk and eat during the performance – very different from today. Shakespeare wrote his plays for this type of audience, so exploring the Elizabethan and Jacobean theater experience is a good way to improve your understanding.

6. What is iambic pentameter?

Iambic pentameter is a scary sounding term for a very simple idea. Shakespeare often wrote in verse and used a popular meter called iambic pentameter which has 10 beats per line with alternating stresses.

7. Did Shakespeare actually write the plays?

Since the Eighteenth Century, Shakespeare’s identity has been in dispute. Today the Shakespeare authorship debate rages on and many people believe “Shakespeare” was a pen name for Christopher Marlowe, Edward de Vere or Sir Francis Bacon (among others).