As well as being the world’s most famous writer, Shakespeare was an ordinary human being who lived his life split between his hometown of Stratford upon Avon, and London, where he spent much of his working life. In the section of the blog, we’ve pulled together all posts that relate to Shakespeare the man, and the life he led…
Novels Inspired by Shakespeare
William Shakespeare is one of the most influential writers in history, and his work has been adapted and reinterpreted in countless ways. Novels inspired by Shakespeare’s plays offer a unique … Read more
Shakespeare’s First Folio at 400 Years Old 📖🎂
As we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio, the popularity of its author is stronger than it has ever been, as his reputation, already at … Read more
Treading Shakespeare’s Boards in Norfolk
Some of Europe’s most popular tourist attractions feature Shakespeare in one way or another –theatres, the town where he grew up, the house where he was born, and so on … Read more
Are You Calling Shakespeare A Thief?
A recent article in the UK’s Guardian was headlined “New evidence suggests Shakespeare may have stolen the plot of Cymbeline.” Well! Using legal language like “evidence” and “stolen,” its author … Read more
‘Bodkin’? What Exactly Is A Bodkin?
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-kromigpx’ admin_preview_bg=”] “Bodkin” is one of those lovely Middle English words that adorn Elizabethan plays but that we don’t use anymore. … Read more
The ‘Golden Age’ And William Shakespeare
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=”] The name ‘William Shakespeare’ is associated with a golden age in English drama. The term “golden … Read more
Banishment in Shakespeare
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=”] What is banishment? Banishment is the state of being exiled or sent away from one’s home. … Read more
William Shakespeare and the Earl of Southampton
Much has been written about the relationship between William Shakespeare and the Earl of Southampton. Well, here is the actual story. When Henry Wriothesley was a child, his parents had … Read more
‘Cozen’? What Exactly Is A Cozen?
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-kromigpx’ admin_preview_bg=”] The word “cozen” was a common Middle English word meaning cheat, trick, deceive, dupe. It was sometimes spelt “cozyn.” … Read more
Was Shakespeare Rich?
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-3jr47w2e’ admin_preview_bg=”] Today, William Shakespeare is acknowledged as one of the most important writers in the English language, of any era, … Read more
Shakespeare References To Sports & Games
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-kijbdsx9′ admin_preview_bg=”] When we talk to each other we make linguistic shortcuts by using metaphors, which we get from the large … Read more
William Shakespeare New Year’s Resolutions
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-108vycf’ admin_preview_bg=”] As we open our eyes to another new year, custom dictates we make the odd new year’s resolution to … Read more
Did Shakespeare Have Plastic Surgery?
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-3ytwedt7′ admin_preview_bg=”] The answer is no, Shakespeare didn’t, but his (possible) illegitimate son did! We are frequently taken by surprise when … Read more
Shakespeare’s Language
Contrary to popular belief, Shakespeare did not write in Old or Early English. Shakespeare’s language was actually Early Modern English, also known as Elizabethan English – much of which is … Read more
Top 50 Virtual Learning Resources for Shakespeare
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-kgdrfe9y’ admin_preview_bg=”] Now that virtual learning has brought us from blackboards to Zoom calls, you might be struggling with either learning … Read more
‘Hamlet’, Shakespeare’s Modern Play
[av_testimonials style=’grid’ columns=’1′ grid_style=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” interval=’5′ alb_description=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-kg3xx8ft’ admin_preview_bg=”] [av_testimonial_single src=’1029224′ name=’Written by Moazzam Ali’ subtitle=’Author of ‘Essence of English Intellectual Life’‘ link=’http://’ linktext=” av_uid=’av-6b2o4739′][/av_testimonial_single] [/av_testimonials] … Read more
Edward De Vere: Shakespeare’s True Identity?
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-kg8dgob0′ admin_preview_bg=”] Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, is a name that evokes curiosity from some and frustration from others. … Read more
Religion & Renaissance Influences On Shakespeare
Religion was extremely important in Shakespearean England. It influenced everyone’s actions and thoughts. Because it had politics behind it, and the Protestant Queen was firm on the change that her … Read more
The Case For Shakespeare Fathering William D’Avenant
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-kfv7jz4b’ admin_preview_bg=”] If you like conspiracy theories, here’s one Shakespeare would probably not have thanked you for. In the years after … Read more
List of Shakespeare Plays
Read our list of Shakespeare plays below, sorted alphabetically, by date written and by word length. Shakespeare wrote at least 37 plays during his lifetime, possibly more (there is at … Read more
‘Original Pronunciation’: Understanding Shakespeare’s Pronunciation
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] Original pronunciation (also known as “OP” or “Shakespeare’s pronunciation”) is the concept of understanding, performing or listening to Shakespeare’s works as they would have been spoken … Read more
‘Thinking Like Shakespeare’, A Book Review
I have come across a book whose title compelled me to open it as it lay on my desk among other new books. Like the book’s contents, the title is … Read more
Six Fun Mystery Novels Involving the Bard
If you love Shakespeare – and Shakespeare books – but are looking for something a little more modern and nail-biting to spice up your reading list, here are six mystery-style … Read more
16 Must See Places In London for Shakespeare Fans
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] Whilst Stratford-upon-Avon is well known as Shakespeare’s home town, London is often overlooked as a travel destination to connect with Shakespeare – other than perhaps taking … Read more
What Are ‘Groundlings’? A Definition Plus Some Fun Facts
It is thought that Shakespeare coined the word ‘groundlings’, which became the nickname for those audience members who stood at the theatre. In Elizabethan theatres, the stage was surrounded by … Read more
Shakespeare in Macbeth
[av_textblock] Did Elizabethan audiences at the Globe Theatre ever see Shakespeare in Macbeth, performing on stage? It’s quite possible. As well as being the world’s greatest playwright, Shakespeare was an … Read more
How Was Shakespeare’s Name Spelled?
[av_textblock] Although the name is now a household one, ‘Shakespeare’ is not a particularly common or easy to spell name. Over the years there have been a number of variations … Read more
What Are The ‘Ides of March’ & Why Beware The ‘Ides of March’?
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] What Is The Ides of March? The ‘ides’ was the day each month in the Roman calendar when the moon was full. The ides fell on … Read more
Happy Birthday, William Shakespeare!
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-kfgxzosh’ admin_preview_bg=”] William Shakespeare turns 456 on 23rd of April 2020. His birthday is celebrated in thousands of places around the … Read more
Shakespeare’s Use of Mythology
Shakespeare had little formal education beyond a few years in his local grammar school. In a poem praising him as a great genius, his friend, Ben Jonson, concluded with something … Read more
How Did Shakespeare Get Started As A Playwright?
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] Almost everyone in the English speaking world, and further, has held a copy of a Shakespeare text in his/her hands at some time. But how often … Read more
How Did Shakespeare Write?
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-1q25fcu’ admin_preview_bg=”] We think of Shakespeare as one of the greatest modern Western writers, and perhaps the greatest playwright ever. We … Read more
Shakespeare The Collaborator
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=”] Three years after his marriage to Anne Hathaway William Shakespeare went to London. He went there … Read more
Shakeseare For Father’s Day
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-kfpjrbhe’ admin_preview_bg=”] Shakespeare was just nineteen years old when he first became a father: his daughter, Susanna, was born in 1583. … Read more
Shakespeare Myths… Exposed & Debunked!
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-19tho4j’ admin_preview_bg=”] As perhaps the most famous English writer, but one who’s personal life is relativity little known about, it’s not … Read more
Shakespeare & The Ancient Game Of Real Tennis
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] Although Shakespeare was very familiar with tennis, if he had gone to Wimbledon as a spectator he would not have recognised the game. He would have … Read more
Shakespeare & The Beautiful Game of Football
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-2b618a’ admin_preview_bg=”] When William Shakespeare was a teenager he probably played football with the other village boys in Stratford, even though … Read more
Did Shakespeare Take Drugs?
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] Did Shakespeare take drugs? In 2001 analysis of pipe fragments from William Shakespeare’s house showed traces of cannabis, cocaine and hallucinogenic nutmeg extracts. It’s not known whether … Read more
Where Did Shakespeare Live In London?
This post explores the many places in London that we know Shakespeare lived, and includes an interactive map at the bottom of the page. Whilst Stratford-upon-Avon is the one-industry Shakespeare town, … Read more
Shakespeare & Winter Imagery
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-4vdz9o’ admin_preview_bg=”] We are in the middle of a harsh winter, one that has gripped the northern hemisphere more firmly than … Read more
Shakespeare and Venice
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] It’s almost certain that Shakespeare never left the shores of England but every year thousands of his contemporaries, wealthy young men, embarked on the ‘grand tour’ … Read more
Who Wrote Shakespeare? The Authorship Candidates
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-3nsm78′ admin_preview_bg=”] The conspiracy that Shakespeare didn’t write his plays exists in some circles, which leads to the question who wrote … Read more
23 Things You Never Knew About Shakespeare
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-kf2ckc7s’ admin_preview_bg=”] Though rumors (and conspiracy theories!) abound, not too many concrete facts are known about Shakespeare. We have a page … Read more
Shakespeare, Mathematics & The Sonnets
[av_textblock] Who knew that Shakespeare’s sonnets and mathematics were so linked? In this super-interesting video Professor Roger Bowley talks about the tight constraints – and shape – that numbers gave … Read more
How Did Shakespeare Get into Acting?
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] The Life Of An Elizabethan Actor The acting ‘profession’ is one of the oldest. We refer to it as a profession these days but paid actors … Read more
Working Life in Shakespeare’s England
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-4rfva0′ admin_preview_bg=”] When the young William Shakespeare went to London, almost a hundred miles away from his hometown of Stratford Upon … Read more
Shakespeare & Elizabethan Stage Sets
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-4ifkoq’ admin_preview_bg=”] At a time when all of Shakespeare’s plays are being staged in different places on different kinds of stage … Read more
Shakespeare In Statistics: The Infographic
[av_textblock size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-kf3psn2v’ admin_preview_bg=”] “Infographics” have been all the rage online for some time, so we thought we’d put together a Shakespeare infographic … Read more
Shakespeare’s Coat of Arms
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av_uid=’av-4qq4su’] Did you know that Shakespeare had his own coat of arms? Sometime after William Shakespeare’s father John Shakespeare applied unsuccessfully to become a gentleman William … Read more
Take a Tour Of Shakespeare’s London!
London has been a world-leading city for many centuries. During the late 16th and early 17th century when Shakespeare was a resident, London was recognised around the known world as … Read more
Mozart, Shakespeare and Quentin Tarantino
Emotions around the current, revived debate about the Shakespeare authorship are raging. Shakespeare scholars are ‘infuriated,’ ‘outraged,’ ‘angry’ about the implications of the film Anonymous, that de Vere wrote the … Read more
Shakespeare The Travelling Marathon Man
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] It’s quite common for Londoners to attend the theatre in Stratford upon Avon and also, most Americans visiting London make the journey to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. … Read more
Blog Categories
Authorship Debate | Historic Shakespeare | Random Fun Stuff | Shakespeare Today | Shakespeare’s Works
