5 Fascinating Facts About William Shakespeare

There was a star danced, and under that was I born.
-William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is one of the most famous playwrights in history, known for his iconic works such as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. However, there are many lesser-known facts about his life that are just as fascinating. From his lost play to his mysterious death, here are 5 things you may not know about William Shakespeare.

1.) 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, so it is likely that he was born a few days before that.

2.) He was married at the age of 18 to a woman named Anne Hathaway

William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway when he was just 18 years old, while she was 26. The couple had three children together, including a set of twins. Despite the age difference, their marriage lasted for over 30 years until Shakespeare’s death. Little is known about Anne Hathaway, but it is believed that she was from a small village near Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born and raised.

3.) Shakespeare’s plays were not published during his lifetime

Although Shakespeare was a prolific playwright, none of his plays were published during his lifetime. Instead, they were performed by his theater company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later known as the King’s Men), and were often printed in unauthorized versions known as “quartos.” It wasn’t until seven years after his death that his fellow actors John Heminges and Henry Condell compiled and published the First Folio, a collection of 36 of his plays.

4.) He is believed to have coined over 1,700 words in the English language

William Shakespeare is known for his mastery of the English language, but did you know that he is believed to have coined over 1,700 words? Some of these words include “eyeball,” “fashionable,” “gossip,” and “swagger.” He also created phrases that are still commonly used today, such as “break the ice” and “wild-goose chase.” Shakespeare’s influence on the English language is undeniable and continues to be felt today.

5.) Shakespeare’s lost play, “Cardenio,” has never been found

“Cardenio” is a play that is believed to have been written by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, but no copies of the original manuscript have ever been found. The play is based on a story from “Don Quixote” and was first performed in 1613. Despite extensive efforts to locate the original manuscript, it remains one of the few works by Shakespeare that has been lost to history. However, there have been several adaptations and interpretations of the play over the years, including a recent production by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Here is the delightfully dreamy final scene of the 1935 film version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Max Reinhardt and William Dieterle, with a young Mickey Rooney giving Puck’s soliloquy.