April 23, 2014

This portrait of William Shakespeare is generally considered the only likeness painted during his lifetime. The portrait is called the Chandos portrait because it was once owned by the Duke of Chandos. (Portrait of William Shakespeare, c.1610, oil on canvas painting attributed to John Taylor; National Portrait Gallery, London–Bridgeman Art Library.)

Today we celebrate the 450th birthday of William Shakespeare, England’s greatest poet and playwright. There is no birth record for Shakespeare, but the baptismal record at the parish church of Holy Trinity in Stratford-upon-Avon shows that he was baptized on April 26, 1564, and the poet’s birth has traditionally been observed on the 23rd of April.

Shakespeare wrote at least 38 plays, 2 major narrative poems, 154 sonnets, and several short poems. It would be difficult to overstate the importance that this body of work has had for English literature. Shakespeare’s stories and characters draw readers in and hold them rapt. His insight into human behavior makes his writing as relevant today as it was when he wrote it. Many of the ideas we have today about drama, characters, and dialogue are rooted in Shakespeare’s works.

His use of language was also beautiful and his ability to create phrases and metaphors was so apt we often still use them today. Just a small sample of the Shakespeare we quote without realizing it includes referring to jealousy as a “green-eyed monster” (Othello), or saying that “love is blind” (The Merchant of Venice) or that someone has a “heart of gold” (Henry V).

Events that celebrate Shakespeare’s birth are being celebrated around the world. In England, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in Stratford-upon-Avon is celebrating a three year Jubilee between 2014 and 2016. In April 2014, the RSC is leading free workshops, activities and performances; and it is hosting an amazing fireworks display that includes a 26-foot (8-meter) high fire-drawing of Shakespeare’s face. Stratford will also host a birthday procession that ends up at Holy Trinity church, where Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway, are buried. At London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, an ensemble cast will be reciting all of the sonnets.

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is hosting family festivals, performances, lectures, scholarly conferences–and even serving birthday cake–during the month of April. Events are also being held by New York City’s Shakespeare Society, by public libraries, and by repertory companies across the United States and Canada.

Additional World Book articles:

• Shakespeare, William
• In Love With Shakespeare (a special report)

Additional websites:

• In Search of Shakespeare (4-part PBS television program with website)
• The Complete Works of William Shakespeare