ShAkE ' eM Up!
could he possibly write about these things? They even began to suggest other possible authors for his works, including the noblemen Francis Bacon and Edward de Vere. However, there is no record of there being any doubt about William’ s identity during his lifetime. His fellow actors and writers not only praised his work, but they had them published as a book known as The First Folio after he died.
FUN FACT TRUMPET People who don’ t think William Shakespeare wrote his own plays are known as anti-Stratfordians.
ShaLl I comPare theE to a sUmmeR’ s dAy�
As well as his plays, Shakespeare also wrote 154 sonnets( these are poems with just 14 lines). Some of these are about a‘ fair youth’, others are about a‘ dark lady’, and he dedicated the sonnets to a person called‘ Mr WH’. Researchers have tried to identify these figures to see if they were inspired by people that William knew and if they could uncover secrets about the life he lived in London.
While he continued his successful career, William travelled between London and Stratford to visit his family. After the death of his son, Hamnet, in 1596, he bought a new home close to
PuZzLe aLeRt! the one he grew up in. William died in this house on 23 April 1616.
SkeLetoNs iN thE clOsEt�
Even William’ s death raised questions that modern historians and scientists have tried to answer. There is a sign above his grave in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford which curses anyone who might try to disturb it. This has encouraged stories that it contains something secret.( What, you mean in addition to the greatest writer the world has ever known?) Yes, some have suggested that he could have been buried standing up, or that his grave was 17 feet deep to protect it from robbers, or that many of his family members were also buried there. There was also a popular rumour from the 18th century that his skull had been stolen. In 2016, a scientific scan of the grave revealed that almost all these rumours were false, except one. They could not tell if William’ s skull was there or not.
More than 400 years after William Shakespeare died, his plays are still performed and studied all over the globe. And his life still intrigues and fascinates people who want to understand how one apparently ordinary man could have created so much theatrical magic.
ShAkE ' eM Up!
Can you unite these bits of Shakespeare to create six quintessential quotes?
Words: Frances Durkin. Illustration: Kaley McKean
1 All that glisters is
A Lend me your ears.
2 This above all: B Never did run smooth.
3 A rose by any other name would
4 The course of true love
5 Friends, Romans, countrymen
C Not gold.
D To thine own self be true.
E Smell as sweet.
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