Romeo and Juliet

            William Shakespeare was a great English playwright, dramatist and poet who lived during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Shakespeare is considered to be the greatest playwright of all time. Shakespeare was born to middle class parents. His father, John, was a Stratford businessman. John Shakespeare was a well-known and respected man in the town. William Shakespeare's mother was Mary Arden. Mary Arden and John Shakespeare were married in 1557. .
             William Shakespeare was born in Stratford in 1564. The Shakespeare's were well-respected prominent people. When William Shakespeare was about seven years old, he probably began attending the Stratford Grammar School with other boys of his social class. Though Shakespeare spent long hours at school, his boyhood was probably fascinating. Stratford was an exciting place to live. Stratford also had fields and woods surrounding it giving William the opportunity to hunt and trap small game. Shakespeare's' poems and plays show his love of nature and rural life which reflects his childhood. .
             On November 28, 1582, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway of the neighboring village of Shottery. Hamnet, Shakespeare's son, died in 1596. In 1607, his daughter Susana got married. Shakespeare's other daughter, Judith, got married in 1616. .
             In London, Shakespeare's career took off. By that time, he had joined one of the city's repertory theater companies. Scholars know that Shakespeare belonged to one of the most popular acting companies in London called The Lord Chamberlain's Men. By 1594, at least six of Shakespeare's plays had been produced. .
             In 1599, he became a part owner of the prosperous Globe Theater. Shakespeare retired to Stratford in 1613 where he wrote many of his excellent plays. .
             Many reasons can be given for Shakespeare's enormous appeal. In addition to his understanding and realistic view of human nature, Shakespeare had a vast knowledge of a variety of subjects.