An Online Course Created by G.Iamincredibly Smart
Introduction | Biographical Information | Contribution to Literature | Author's Place in Literary History |
Excerpt From A Major Work | Criticism | Citations
William Shakespeare is considered to be the greatest dramatist
of all time. He has often been referred to as the English national poet.
In this course you will be introduced to Shakespeare not only through his
biography but also through his contribution to literature, excerpts from
his works, criticism of his
Traditionally, we celebrate the birth of William Shakespeare
as April 23, 1564. Historians believe this to be the date because of a
baptismal record indicating the sacrament of his baptism was initiated
on April 26, 1564.
Shakespeare's father was a baliff (somewhat like the
office of mayor today) and his mother, Mary, came from a well-to-do family.
As a boy, William received a traditional education for the time but did
not attend university. He married at age 18 on November 28, 1582.
Author's place in literary
history
Have not saints lips, and pilgrims too?' said Romeo. 'Ay,'
said the lady, 'lips which they must use in prayer.' 'O then, my dear saint,'
said Romeo, 'hear my prayer, and grant it, lest I despair.
The English writer Francis Meres, in 1598, announced that
he was England's greatest writer in comedy and tragedy. Writer and poet
John Weever lauded “honey-tongued Shakespeare.” Ben Jonson, a contemporary
of Shakespeare as well as a literary critic, felt that Shaekspeare
was a genius in the writing of comedy and tragedy but felt that Shakespeare
was sadly lacking in the area of Classical languages and history. Jonson
also felt that Shakespeare moved his historical dramas over too great a
persiod of time and should limit the action to 24 hours.
"Chandos Shakepeare". Portrait byJohn Taylor, 1610. "
Encyclopædia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
School Edition
2 Feb. 2005 <http://school.eb.com/eb/article?tocId=9109536>.
Gray, Terry A. "Romeo and Juliet." Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet. 7 May 2004. schoolzone. 3 Feb. 2005 <http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/lambtales/LTROMEO.HTM>.
"Shakespeare, William." Encyclopædia Britannica.
2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition
3 Feb. 2005 <http://school.eb.com/eb/article?tocId=232302>.