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Background of William Shakespeare: Hamza Adam Bhai and Zoha Mohammad Khan Known throughout the world, the

works of William Shakespeare have been performed in countless hamlets, villages, cities and metropolises for more than 400 years. And yet, the personal history of William Shakespeare is somewhat a mystery. There are two primary sources that provide historians with a basic outline of his life. One source is his workthe plays, poems and sonnetsand the other is official documentation such as church and court records. However, these only provide brief sketches of specific events in his life and provide little on the person who experienced those events. William Shakespeare, one of the greatest authors of all time, was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. His actual birthdate is uncertain, but most scholars believe he was born on or near April 23, 1564. He may have been educated at the Kings School at Stratfort because that would have typical for a child whos father was an Alderman. William was the third child of John Shakespeare, a leather merchant, and Mary Arden, a local landed heiress. William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582, in Worcester, in Canterbury Province. By 1592, there is evidence William Shakespeare earned a living as an actor and a playwright in London and possibly had several plays produced. The theater culture in 16th century England was not highly admired by people of high rank. However, many of the nobility were good patrons of the performing arts and friends of the actors. Early in his career, Shakespeare was able to attract the attention of Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton, to whom he dedicated his first- and secondpublished poems: "Venus and Adonis" (1593) and "The Rape of Lucrece" (1594). By 1597, 15 of the 37 plays written by William Shakespeare were published. Civil records show that at this time he purchased the second largest house in Stratford, called New House, for his family. With the exception of Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare's first plays were mostly histories written in the early 1590s. It was in William Shakespeare's later period, after 1600, that he wrote the tragedies Hamlet, King Lear, Othello and Macbeth. Tradition has it that William Shakespeare died on his birthday, April 23, 1616, though many scholars believe this is a myth. Church records show he was interred at Trinity Church on April 5, 1616. About 150 years after his death, questions arose about the authorship of William Shakespeare's plays. The most serious and intense skepticism began in the 19th century when adoration for Shakespeare was at its highest. However, the vast majority of Shakespearean scholars contend that William Shakespeare wrote all his own plays. They point out that other playwrights of the time also had sketchy histories and came from modest backgrounds. They contend that Stratford's New Grammar School curriculum of Latin and the classics could have provided a good foundation for literary writers.

Romeo and Juliet:


A fight between servants of two important families the Montagues and the Capulets is broken up by the Prince. Romeo tells Benvolio that he is in love with Rosaline. Lady Capulet tells Juliet that she is to marry Paris. Lord Capulet starts to prepare for the celebrations. A servant of Lord Capulet asks Romeo to read the invitation list. Romeo decides to go to the ball to see Rosaline. At the ball Romeo meets and falls in love with Juliet, only afterwards do they discover that their families are sworn enemies. Tybalt recognises Romeo but is prevented from doing anything by Lord Capulet who does not want trouble. Benvolio and Mercutio look for Romeo. Juliet tells Romeo she loves him and they exchange vows. Romeo goes to see Friar Lawrence, who agrees to marry them as it may help end the feud. Meanwhile Tybalt makes it known he wishes to challenge Romeo to a duel. Romeo tells the Nurse of his plan to marry Juliet. Juliet blushes when she hears the news. Romeo and Juliet meet at the Friar's cell and are married in secret. Next day Mercutio picks a fight with Tybalt. Romeo turns up and tries to intervene. Tybalt kills Mercutio when Romeo gets in the way. This makes Romeo angry and he then kills Tybalt. Romeo now a murderer is banished from Verona. Paris goes to Friar Lawrence's cell. Paris announces he is to marry Juliet on Thursday. Juliet says she will stab herself rather than marry Paris. The Friar gives her a bottle containing a substance which will make her appear dead for 48 hours. His plan is to write to Romeo so that he will be there when she wakes up. Juliet agrees to marry Paris to please her father, who then brings the wedding day forward to Wednesday. Juliet takes the potion. Her family mourn her death. Balthasar arrives in Mantua with news of Juliet's death. Romeo goes to an apothecary to buy poison. Friar Lawrence learns that his messenger Friar John did not get to Mantua because of the plague. Paris is at the tomb when Romeo arrives. They fight and Romeo kills Paris. Romeo sees Juliet who he thinks is dead and poisons himself. Friar Lawrence arrives to late to save Romeo. Juliet wakes to find Romeo dead and kills herself with his dagger. Montague and Capulet agree to end their feud and pledge to put a statue in pure gold in the town

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