William Shakespeare is one of the most famous writers in history, known for his plays and sonnets that have been studied and performed for centuries. But there are still some lesser-known facts about the Bard and his works that may surprise you. From his personal life to his writing process, read on to discover some interesting tidbits about William Shakespeare.
Shakespeare’s exact birthdate is unknown.
While we celebrate William Shakespeare’s birthday on April 23rd, the exact date of his birth is unknown. However, it is believed that he was baptized on April 26th, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. This means that he was likely born a few days before his baptism. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his birthdate, Shakespeare’s legacy continues to live on through his timeless works.
He was not only a playwright, but also an actor.
In addition to being one of the greatest playwrights in history, William Shakespeare was also an accomplished actor. He was a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a popular acting company in London, and he often performed in his own plays. Shakespeare’s acting career helped him to better understand the nuances of the characters he created, and it also gave him a deeper appreciation for the art of theater.
Shakespeare’s plays were not originally published as books.
Unlike modern plays, which are often published in book form shortly after their debut, Shakespeare’s plays were not originally intended to be read. Instead, they were performed live on stage and were only later published as printed scripts. The first collection of Shakespeare’s plays, known as the First Folio, was published in 1623, seven years after his death. This collection included 36 of his plays, many of which would have been lost to history if not for this publication.
He invented many words and phrases still used today.
William Shakespeare is credited with inventing over 1,700 words and phrases that are still in use today. Some of these include “eyeball,” “fashionable,” “bedazzled,” “swagger,” and “lonely.” He also coined many popular phrases, such as “break the ice,” “wild-goose chase,” “heart of gold,” and “in a pickle.” Shakespeare’s influence on the English language is immeasurable, and his contributions continue to be felt today.
Shakespeare’s plays were performed in daylight, not at night.
Contrary to popular belief, Shakespeare’s plays were not performed exclusively at night. In fact, they performed most of his plays during the day, in open-air theaters like the Globe. This was because artificial lighting was not yet available, and the natural light of the sun was necessary for the audience to see the actors and the stage. Theaters would often schedule multiple performances in a day, with the first starting at around 2 pm.
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