Shakespeare's birthday

                                               

Shakespeare  is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the history of English language.

Although centuries have passed since William Shakespeare last put ink into paper,his immortality has extended to more than just his writing.He has positively  influenced  western civilization,arts,letters and even cinema. 

“These  violent  delights have  violent  ends,

And in  their  triumph  die, like fire and powder

Which, as  they  kiss,  consume.”

(Romeo  and Juliet, Act II, Scene VI)

Do you know the second movie in the Twilight saga begins  with  these words  from William Shakespeare?

We will  celebrate his 451 st birthday on Sunday  23rd April. 

The actual date of Shakespeare's birth is not known for sure, as no birth records exist, but church records indicate that William Shakespeare was baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26th, 1564.

From this, it is believed he was born on or near April 23rd, 1564, and so traditionally, April 23, St George's Day is the date scholars acknowledge as William Shakespeare's birthday.However, the reality is that no one really knows when the great bard was born.

TEN QUICK FACTS ABOUT SHAKESPEARE

1. William Shakespeare was baptized in Stratford-upon-Avon in England on April 26, 1564. His actual birthdate is not known, but is observed on April 23, which is interesting since he died on April 23, 1616.

2. The son of John and Mary Shakespeare, William had four sisters and three brothers.

3. At the age of 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, eight years his senior, who was pregnant when they married.

4. William and Anne had three children together, but only one grandchild who died childless. Therefore,Shakespeare has no direct descendants.

5. Little is known about Shakespeare’s life between the years of 1585 and 1592, though rumors abound. Rumors include a flight from London to escape prosecution for poaching deer and a stint as a school teacher.

6. There is speculation that Shakespeare was Catholic at a time when Catholicism was illegal.

7. Shakespeare wrote 36 plays and several poems.

8. Women were not allowed to perform in plays during Shakespeare’s time, so the roles of women were often played by young boys.

9. Shakespeare was a wealthy man, who, in 1597, bought the second-largest house in Stratford.

10. Shakespeare’s oldest daughter and my oldest daughter share a birthday – a few hundred years apart.