Shakespeare's plays do not reveal much about him as a person. Since the plots are so varied and deal with a myriad of social and political issues,

Shakespeare's actual views remain elusive and mysterious.

Shakespeare's birthday is recognized as

April 23, 1564. He was bom in the small English town of Stratford-upon-Avon. The town's name developed because Stratford was

nestled next to the River Avon. Shakespeare's father, John, was a successful..

Stratford glove maker who dealt in leather goods; and his mother, Mary. Arden, came from a wealthy Catholic family.

Not much is known about Shakespeare until his marriage to Anne Hathaway

in 1582. He was 18 and she was 26. During their marriage, they had three children-Susanna, bom in 1583, and the twins Judith and Hamnet, bom in 1585.

From 1585 to 1592; no official records exist on Shakespeare. But by the age of 28, he had moved to London and become an actor with a small company of players. Even as he became a successful playwright, he continued to act in his own and others plays. Between 1589 and 1594, Shakespeare's first plays, Henry VI, Titus Andronicus, and The Comedy of Errors, were a huge success in the London theatre circuit. Shakespeare soon made a name for himself and attained instant popularity.

London was a very exciting place during Shakespeare's time Elizabeth I was

queen when he began his career. English ships ruled the seas, and English explorers were claiming territories as far away as America and the Far East:

Shakespeare incorporated much of the excitement, mystery, and adventure of this time period into his work. Unfortunately, in the early 1590s, the plague in London led to the closing of all the theatres. During this time, Shakespeare began writing poetry, including his famous sonnets. This poetry demonstrates

•Shakespeare's true artistic skill with verse.

When the theatres reopened around 1594, Shakespeare helped form the. acting company known as the Lord Chamberlain's Men. For the next ten years, it was London's most.popular acting company. The company also started its own theater-the Globe-and Shakespeare became the primary shareholder. The E87

Globe became a popular entertainment spot for both commoners and wealthy aristocrats.

Shakespeare's greatest writing occurred between 1599 and 1608. During this

time, he wrote such popular plays as Twelfth Night, Hamlet, Macbeth, and Othello:

In 1603, with the succession of James I, Shakespeares company received a royal patent, and they changed their name to the King's Men. They were then able to perform at the royal court several times a year:

Between 1610 and 1611, Shakespeare retired to his home in Stratford. Here he collaborated with John Fletcher on three more plays-Henry VIII, The Two Noble Kinsmen, and Cardento:

In 1616, Shakespeare died at the young age.of.52. Records show that he was buried on April 25, so it's assumed he died on April:23; two days earlier. This date has been suspect since it is also his birthday. No one knows how.

Shakespeare died, so his death remains shrouded in mystery. Oyer 20 possible causes of death have been speculated, including writer's cramp, too much alcohol, and murder.

Regardless of what brought Shakespeare to his demise, his incredible life left humankind a prolific treasure in his writings. Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and two narrative poems. His plays fall into three categories: histories such as Richard III and Henry V, tragedies such as Macbeth and Othello, and comedies such as Twelfth Night and As You Like It.

Shakespeare's deep understanding of human nature and his incredible talent for making characters realistic and human make his work uniquely great. Most aspects of human nature haven't changed much from Elizabethan England. One may even find something of him- or herself or a friend in one of Shakespeare's characters. Much as they did in Elizabethan England, these plays can still move audiences to tears or make them roar with laughter. It is these timeless qualities that keep Shakespeare at the top of the literary and theatrical world.