Who was Shakespeare?

His Life:

Almost everything about Shakespeare is not very reliable; a lot of information about him is actually guessed and estimated. We're not sure about his birthday as it was guessed, and his face will remain a mystery. However, most people today consider Shakespeare a very influential dramatist. In fact, no one equaled his ability to construct a story by writing dramatic and poetic means.

Shakespeare was born in 1564, the exact date is unknown. He was the third child and first son of John Shakespeare and his wife Mary Arden, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. It is said the he most likely attended the Local Grammar School. In 1582, at the age of eighteen, he got married to Anne Hathaway, the daughter of a farmer. One year later (1583), they had their first child, Susanna. Then, two years later (1585), they had twins; Hamnet and Judith.

 Shakespeare achieved some success as an actor, poet and a playwright a few years after his family moved to London in 1588. The Sonnets especially started his reputation as a gifted and popular poet, however, the 38 plays he wrote or worked with someone else on, established his reputation as the greatest dramatist who ever lived. In 1594, Shakespeare became a licensed member of a theatrical company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men. He first worked in theatres owned by James Burbage. Later, in 1598 Burbage moved to Bankside, and built the Globe Theatre. Shakespeare profited from the success of being a partner in the Globe. 

After 1608 Shakespeare's creative work decreased and he returned to Stratford. He settled and raised his family in one of the town's finest homes and became a well-known local citizen. Eight years later (1616), he died 52 years old. He was buried in the chancel of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Stratford. His tomb's elegy was written by him: 

“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.”

His works:

Shakespeare's work is generally separated into four major periods:

1. His early plays (1589-95) were experimental. They include history plays, an admired genre of the period of medieval tragedies played out in detail with blood, and a range of comedies.
2. Shakespeare's second period (to 1600) had important plays dealing with English history, his comedies and two major catastrophes. His technique became distinct and recognized as he began to combine elements of tragic events and comic representations.
3. Great tragedies were written during the third period (to 1608) of Shakespeare's career. These include Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. He also wrote thoughtful and bitter comedies during this time.
4. During his fourth period (to 1613) Shakespeare wrote his basic romantic tragicomedies including The Tempest, considered by many to be Shakespeare's most beautiful play.