Weather
Despite the name aforementioned, the weather in Shakespeare’s time was anything but benign. To be fair, the weather was a bit of a torrid time for a fair few of his contemporaries. Among them was bafflingly named Shakespeare himself. It is a testament to his genius that he came up with some of the greatest works of art of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Not to mention the countless plays of the likes he may have wowed the hapless masses. Regardless, it is no surprise that Shakespeare can lay claim to having a long and storied career. Despite his untimely death in 1692, he left behind some of the greatest pieces of literary art ever written. Whether his ghostly tales are to be believed or not, they have shaped the history of the English language as we know it today. The aforementioned literary illuminati has certainly served its purpose. Among other things, it has provided Shakespeare with an opportunity to write the best and the worst of his work in the years to follow.
Relationships with Anne Hathaway
Whether or not Anne Hathaway and Shakespeare are reincarnated is a topic of debate. It has been discussed for a number of years. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, it has been suggested that the couple may have had a love affair. Some historians have proposed a “shotgun wedding”, but there is no proof.
It was a common practice in the mid-16th century for orphaned women to marry in their late twenties. However, the marriage of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway does not hold up to scrutiny. Rather than being an adulterous relationship, it is a happy one.
The couple had three children together. They had two daughters, Susanna and Judith, and a son, Hamnet. The first two died at a young age due to illness. The last, Elizabeth, was born to Shakespeare’s granddaughter. Afterwards, the couple had to move in with their parents. The couple also shared household chores with their sister, Joan.
In his play, Henry IV, Shakespeare wrote a reference to his wife, Anne, saying that she would be looking for her in the next life. The poem is called the Anne Hathaway Sonnet. It is a beautiful love poem, which is dedicated to Shakespeare’s wife.
Influence on the English Language
Thousands of new words were created in Shakespeare’s time and his influence on the English language was unmistakable. He was one of the first to introduce the idea of romance and tragedy. He also created a variety of phrases, including “it’s Greek to me”.
The 1700 words and phrases he invented have shaped the way we speak today. They include a variety of compound words, such as “torment” and “deception”, as well as a new meaning for words such as “radiance”. In addition, he added prefixes and suffixes to many other words.
He even experimented with tri-syllabic substitution, rime, and blank verse. His works have inspired a wide range of phrases, and his use of humour may help you better understand his stylistics.
His plays have also played an important part in the standardization of the English language. His First Folio in 1623 was instrumental in defining the rules of English language. During his lifetime, English was considered a lower-caste language that lacked sophistication.
The bubonic plague
During the early 16th century, the bubonic plague ravaged England. The outbreak killed over a fifth of Shakespeare’s fellow Londoners and devastated a large portion of the city. In addition to killing people, the plague caused social upheavals and economic disruptions. It affected farmers, actors, and paying customers.
During the epidemic, theatres in London closed. Despite the plague’s horrific effects, Shakespeare never left London. In fact, he composed most of his greatest works while in quarantine.
Shakespeare had a strong sense of how an artist should act during difficult times. He felt that the role of an artist was to help people deal with difficult periods. In Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” he mentions the plague when cursing his daughter. When the plague was over, he helped his people get back into the theater.
As the epidemic raged, the Privy Council introduced a household quarantine. Anyone suspected of being infected with plague had to stay in their home for seven days. A red cross was painted on the door to warn others away.
