By Blake Kim
William Shakespeare is an English playwright, poet, and actor, born in April 1564. He is one of if not the most, celebrated and influential authors of all time. In celebration of Shakespeare’s birthday, here are a few fun facts to remember him by!
- Shakespeare got married at 18 years old to Anne Hathaway
- He wrote at least 37 plays in his lifetime! (2 plays yearly for his whole life)
- In one year alone, Shakespeare wrote 154 poems!
- Shakespeare’s son’s name was Hamnet. Coincidence?
- There were no female actors for any plays of his time.
- Shakespeare added 1,700 words to the English language.
- Shakespeare’s father had many jobs. For one, he was paid to drink beer.
- Shakespeare’s epitaph curses anyone who disturbs his grave: “Good friend, for Jesus’ sake forbeare, / To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, / And cursed be he that moves my bones.”
- Shakespeare is the third most translated author.
- Nine years of Shakespeare’s life is ‘missing’ and undocumented. (1585–1592)