Name_______________________________

A & E Biography: William Shakespeare

Viewing Guide

1. William Shakespeare was born in the spring of 1564 in the town of

______________________________.

2. __________________________________ ruled England at the time of his birth.

3. Shakespeare was the first son born to _________________ and ___________________.

4. Long hours were spent studying in school as a child, and by the age of eight, Shakespeare

could read and speak the ___________________ language. He did not attend university,
and had finished formal schooling by age 14.

5. He got his first taste of theater by watching traveling troupes perform plays in his town,
and he was also able to see drama on the lawn of Robert Dudley, who lived at

___________________________ Castle.

6. _________________________________ became Shakespeare’s wife, and she was

___________ years older than he was.

7. No one is sure what Shakespeare did during the years after his marriage. List two
possibilities:

A._____________________________________________

B._____________________________________________

8. His first child was a daughter named __________________________________.

He also had twins named ______________________ and ________________________.

9. Some say that Shakespeare’s poems, called ___________________________revealed the

most about his true self.

10. During the 1590s, ____________________________ killed thousands of people and the
theaters where Shakespeare worked were often shut down.

11. In 1596 a terrible tragedy occurred when ______________________died of the plague.

12. The _______________________ theater was erected by Shakespeare and his peers.

13. What was the first play performed there?______________________________________

14. In 1613 _____________________________________burned to the ground. What did

Shakespeare do after this?______________________________________________

15. Many assume that Shakespeare and his wife had a “loveless” marriage. For example, he
gave his wife no power in his will and bequeathed to her only

_________________________________, even though he died a wealthy man.

16. Describe the events that led to Shakespeare’s death.____________________________

______________________________________________________________________

17. Shakespeare died on the anniversary of ______________________________

18. _____________________ years after his death, a folio of Shakespeare’s work was
compiled.

19. A critic of Shakespeare named __________________________________was

instrumental in organizing the folio.

20. In 1899 the first ____________________________ of a Shakespearean play was

introduced.