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William Shakespeare Fact File

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William Shakespeare Fact File

Use the fact file below to answer the questions. Look for clues in the dates, places and details. Write in full sentences when asked.

A playwright from Stratford

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564. The exact day is not known, but records show that he was baptised on 26 April. He later worked in London as a playwright and actor. Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in 1582, and they had three children: Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. Shakespeare wrote around 39 plays, along with poems. His plays include tragedies, comedies and histories. Romeo and Juliet tells of two young people from feuding families. Hamlet is about a prince seeking the truth after his father’s death. Macbeth follows a Scottish nobleman whose ambition leads to disaster. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a comedy involving love and magic. Shakespeare’s company performed at the Globe Theatre in London. The first Globe opened in 1599. It was a large, open-air theatre where audiences stood near the stage or sat in galleries. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1613. Shakespeare died in 1616, but his plays are still performed and adapted around the world. Their characters and themes—such as love, jealousy, power and choice—continue to inspire audiences.

Fact-finding mission

Answer using evidence from the passage. For questions asking for an explanation, include a detail that supports your idea.

1.In which year was William Shakespeare born, and in which English town?

2.Which statement is best supported by the passage?

The exact date of Shakespeare’s birth is recorded.
Shakespeare was baptised on 26 April, but his exact birth day is not known.
Shakespeare was born in London in 1599.
Shakespeare married before he was born.

3.Complete the fact file: Shakespeare married Hathaway in 1582. They had children.

4.Match each play to the description in the passage.

Romeo and Juliet
Hamlet
Macbeth
A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Ambition leads a Scottish nobleman to disaster
Two young people from feuding families
A comedy involving love and magic
A prince seeks the truth after his father’s death

5.Name two kinds of plays Shakespeare wrote.

6.Put these events in chronological order, from earliest to latest: the first Globe opens; Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway; Shakespeare dies.

7.True or false? Shakespeare’s company performed at an open-air theatre called the Globe, and the first Globe opened in 1599.

TrueFalse

8.What happened to the original Globe in 1613?

9.Give two themes named in the passage that appear in Shakespeare’s plays and explain why one might still interest audiences today.

10.A local bakery is hosting a Shakespeare-themed evening. Rory suggests advertising Macbeth as a cheerful comedy about magic. Use the passage to explain one reason his description is inaccurate, then suggest a more suitable description.

11.Write a short museum label (2–3 sentences) explaining why Shakespeare is remembered. Include one fact about his work and one reason it still matters.