Shakespeare probably went to the grammar school in Stratford. He did not finish his studies because of financial difficulties and so he was apprenticed to a Stratford tradesman. In 1582 he married Anne Hathaway, the daughter of a farmer who lived nearby.

Some records show that they had three children. At some point (perhaps in 1585) William went to London and started his career as an actor and by the end of 1592 he began to be known both as a performer and a playwright.

Theatres remained closed from 1592 to 1594 because of the plague. During this time Shakespeare devoted himself to writing non-dramatic verse. He published two narrative mythological poems, Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece both dedicated to the Earl of Southhampton, who was often mentioned as his patron. In his period he also began writing his sonnets, which were published in 1608.

After 1594 he took up working for the theatre in The Lord Chamberlain’s men theatrical company (which was later known as The King’s Men, under the patronage of king James I). Records show that Shakespeare was also a stockholder of the company (which used The Theatre, The Curtain and The Globe the playhouse in which he invested money) and made good profits.

The years from 1594 to 1608 were the most productive: he continued to work as an actor and was regularly occupied in rewriting and revising his plays . In 1608 his company bought the Blackfriars Theatre where most of his plays were performed.

Later (probably in 1611) he bought one of the largest houses in Stratford, where he retired, abandoning dramatic writing but keeping in touch with actors and poets.

He died in 1616 at the age of fifty-two.