William Shakespeare Research Review

On what date do we think Shakespeare was born?

• November 5, 1564

• April 23, 1564

• April 23, 1616

• November 5, 1616

Answer explanation

We know Shakespeare was baptized on April 26th at the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Because children were baptized within days of their births, most scholars have agreed that April 23 is a good guess for his birthdate.

Why do we have to guess Shakespeare's birthday?

• He was very secretive

• Written records didn't exist at this time

• Not much was written about his life

• The records office where his birth certificate was located burned down

Answer explanation

Despite being one of the most prolific writers of all time, very little is known about Shakespeare's life.

True or False: Shakespeare did not attend a university.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Shakespeare studied several topics at King Edward VI Grammar School, but did not attend university due to his father's financial difficulties.

What was the name of Shakespeare's wife?

• Mary Arden

• Susanna Hathaway

• Anne Hathaway

• He never married.

Answer explanation

Shakespeare married Anne in 1582. He left her and their family behind for London around 1585. He would leave her his "second-best bed" when he died on April 23, 1616.

How many children did Shakespeare have?

• 1

  (a son who died in infancy)

• 2

  (twins)

• 3

  (a daughter and twins)

• 0

  (he had no children)

Answer explanation

Shakespeare had a daughter, Susanna, and twins, Judith and Hamnet. Hamnet would pass away at age 11.

True or False: Shakespeare has no living descendants today.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Shakespeare's last direct descendent, a granddaughter, died childless in 1670.

The "____ _____" are the seven years following the birth of Shakespeare's children.

Answer explanation

There is not much known about Shakespeare's activity during this time.

Which theatre did Shakespeare help build?

• The Blackfriar Theatre

• The Bard Theatre

• The Burbage Theatre

• The Globe Theatre

Answer explanation

The Globe was constructed in 1599. It would undergo reconstruction after a fire in 1613.

When did Shakespeare die?

• April 23, 1603

• October 7, 1849

• April 23, 1616

• November 5, 1616

Answer explanation

Shakespeare died on his birthday and left most of his estate to his eldest daughter, Susanna. He also left the world with over 1,700 new words and phrases.

Match the following.

• 154

• Number of plays Shakespeare wrote.

• 38

• Number of narrative poems Shakespeare wrote.

• 2

• Number of sonnets Shakespeare wrote.

Answer explanation

Shakespeare's 38 plays are categorized by three genres: comedies, tragedies, and histories.