William Shakspeare is one of many famous folks born in April.
Here are 10 things every homeschooler should know about William Shakespeare:
- The Bard of Avon: Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s greatest dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet and the “Bard of Avon” after his birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, where he was born in April 1564.
- A Life of Mystery: Much of Shakespeare’s personal life remains a mystery. We know he was born in 1564 and married Anne Hathaway at the age of 18. He had three children and died in 1616. There is little documentation about his life between these events.
- London Calling: Around 1585, Shakespeare began a successful career in London’s theater. He wrote or co-wrote about 40 plays, most of which were comedies and histories during his early career, and tragedies later.
- Words, Words, Words: Shakespeare invented many words and phrases that we still use today, such as “bump,” “elbow,” “bedazzled,” “get a handle on,” and “all’s well that ends well.” It is estimated that he introduced over 1,700 words into the English language.
- Globe Theater: The Globe Theatre, built in 1599, was Shakespeare’s home base for many years. It was a three-story, open-air theater where most of his plays were performed.
- The Power of Performance: Shakespeare’s plays were meant to be seen, not just read. They were full of action, humor, and suspense, and they were hugely popular with audiences of all social classes.
- A Master of Language: Shakespeare’s plays are full of rich language, including metaphors, similes, and soliloquies. He was a master of using language to create vivid images and to express complex emotions.
- Legacy of Influence: Shakespeare’s plays have had a profound influence on English literature and theater. They have been translated into every major language and continue to be performed all over the world today.
- Reading Shakespeare Aloud: Because Elizabethan English is different from modern English, reading Shakespeare aloud can help homeschoolers understand the meaning of the text. There are also many great recordings of Shakespeare’s plays available online and in libraries.
- Make it Fun: There are many ways to make learning about Shakespeare fun for homeschoolers. You can watch movies or TV shows based on Shakespeare’s plays, or attend a live performance. You can also try acting out scenes from the plays or writing your own Shakespearean sonnets.
Learn more about Shakespeare with this free mini-lesson and these fun Shakespeare literature and history resources from CaptivatingCompass.com
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