Spotlight

Any discussion of Shakespeare's life is bound to be loaded with superlatives. He is unparalleled for his own literary fashion. In the spell of a quarter century, Shakespeare wrote some thirty-eight plays. Taken individually, several of them are among the world's magnificent written works; taken collectively, they establish Shakespeare as the foremost literary talent of his own age and, even more strikingly, as a mastermind whose creative achievement has never been outshined in any age. Details about William Shakespeare's life are sketchy; mostly mere surmise based clerical records. However it should not be a conundrum to celebrate Shakespeare's birth and death anniversary on 23rd April. This would be his 443rd birth and 391st death anniversary on 23rd April 2007.

William, the eldest son of the family, was born in 1564, probably on 23rd April, several days before his baptism on April 26. According to his religious cult, baptism happened 3 days after one's birth, so we can conclude his birth date was 23rd April. That Shakespeare also died on April 23, 52 years later, may have resulted in the adoption of this birth date. Shakespeare was born in the village of Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire. At the time of his birth, the village had a population of 1500 people, and only 200 houses. Shakespeare's father, John Shakespeare, came from a family of yeomen, and gained many prestigious positions in the community. Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden, came from an ancient family of landed gentry. The family's financial situation was well off. Not much information is known about Shakespeare's youth, although undoubtedly he was educated in the local school, where he studied Latin and Greek, among other subjects, during a school day that often lasted from dawn to dusk.

Two obvious influences were commanding in developing the genius of Shakespeare -- the small village of Stratford, heart of the most beautiful and romantic district in rural England, and the great city of London, the heart of the world's political activity. In one he learned to know the natural man in his natural environment; in the other, the social, artificial man in the most unnatural of surroundings. Both influences are found and depicted in his classic works.

Shakespeare's first exposure to the theater probably occurred when he was young. As a child his father took him to see plays when traveling troupes of actors came to town, although that was not often. Shakespeare was married to Anne Hathaway in 1582, when he was 18; she was 26, eight years his senior.

The exact wedding date is uncertain, but the marriage certificate was issued on November 27,1582. Anne was the daughter of a respected yeoman farmer. William and Anne had their first child, Susanna, in May of 1583. This was followed by the birth of twins, Hamnet and Judith, in January of 1585. Most historians believe that Shakespeare was not often around his family in Stratford after that because historical records show him in London during the following years.

With his two patrons, the Earls of South Hampton and Pembrooke, Shakespeare rose quickly in the theater as both an actor and an author. He joined Lord Chamberlain's Men, an acting company protected by the Queen, becoming a shareholder and senior member in 1595. Because of his success in London, he was able to purchase New Place, the largest and most elegant house in his hometown of Stratford, when he was in his early thirties (1597). In addition to his popularity as both an actor and playwright, Shakespeare became joint owner of the famous Globe Theater when it opened in 1599. His share of the company's management added heavily to his wealth. Shakespeare's financial success in the London theatre enabled him to retire and return to his home in Stratford around 1610.

A brief highlight on Shakespeare:
· 1556 - Anne Hathaway is born.

· 1564 - William Shakespeare is born in April (probably the 23rd) in Stratford-On-Avon (94 miles from London.)

· 1582 - Marries Anne Hathaway on November 27.

· 1583 - Susanna Shakespeare is born.

· 1585 - The twins Judith and Hamnet Shakespeare are born.

· 1592 - After leaving Stratford for London, William was recognized as a successful actor, as well as a leading poet. He was a member of 'The Chamberlain's Men'.

· 1596 - Hamnet dies at the age of eleven. Shakespeare becomes a "gentleman" when the College of Heralds grants his father a coat of arms.

· 1597- He bought a large house called "The Great House of New Place".

· 1599 - The 'Globe Theater' is built from the pieces of 'The Theater' in July.

· 1603 - 'The Lord Chamberlain's Men' became 'The King's Men' on May 19.

· 1613 - The 'Globe Theatre' burns during a performance of Henry VII when a canon fired on the roof sets fire to the straw thatch. The theatre is rebuilt, but Shakespeare retires.

· 1616 - April 23, in Stratford, on his 52nd birthday he died.

On the eve of 23rd April, Shakespeare fans around the world eagerly keep waiting to commemorate the day. We are really proud to hum “Happy Birth day to Dear Shakespeare”. At the same time we commemorate his death anniversary with due homage. We wish many returns of the auspicious 23rd April.

(National hotel and Tourism Training Institute
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation-NTO)