What many of us would find interesting is that the extremely famous English playwright, poet and actor William Shakespeare’s real name was something else. And most of us are not aware of it even after almost breathing and living Shakespeare for years. It was Gulielmus Shakspere, as has been recorded at his baptism in 1564. Gulielmus is the Latin word for William. But then why would we call him William Shakespeare! It is because Shakespeare called himself ‘Will’ in his Sonnets and most of his associates referred to him as William Shakespeare.

William Shakespeare is believed to have been born on 23 April even though baptised on 26 April 1564. He is considered the greatest writer ever in the history of English language and his reputation as the world’s pre-eminent dramatist goes unrefuted. The millions of Shakespeare followers all across the world have for ages referred to him as England’s national poet and the Bard of Avon. His huge gamut of works of different genres combined, including the collaborations with contemporary authors, include about 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and other verses.

Shakespeare is said to be one of the top three greatest translated authors in all human history after Agatha Christie and Jules Verne. Shakespearean plays have been translated into almost every major living language and they are performed more frequently on stage compared to all other playwrights that the world has ever produced. His influence in the world English language is incomparable, and his works are read with the same enthusiasm, emotion and interest even in the modern age. They were never out of fad or fashion and were never shunned in any period of literary history. Critics and researchers are ever passionate to unfurl new levels of meanings and emotions, intent and depth as they continue to study and reinterpret his vast treasure of creative jewels.

Shakespeare was born and brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. He is believed to have left Stratford upon Avon in the late 1580s and moved to London. Though the exact address is not known, the first evidence that we get of his living in London is somewhere in Bishopsgate in 1596 nearby Leadenhall Street and St. Mary Avenue. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who was 26 years old at that time and three months pregnant with Shakespeare’s first child. Thus, their first child, Susanna, was born six months after their marriage. They had two more children, a son, Hamnet, who died in 1596, and another daughter, Judith. His only granddaughter Elizabeth, daughter of Susanna, died childless in 1670 leaving no descendants to his family.

At age 49, approximately around the year 1613, he is said to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Very few records of his private life can be found. We do not know much about his private life, his religious beliefs and sexuality. There is some controversy regarding the fact whether all his works have been originally produced by him.

Most of his known works were written between 1589 and 1613. His comedies and histories are regarded as the world’s best ever works produced. He also wrote quite a handful of heart-wrenching tragedies until 1608, among which Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet are among the finest and most poignant works in the English language. His collection of 17 great comedies includes The Merchant of Venice and Much Ado About Nothing and of his 10 history plays, Henry V and Richard III rightfully deserves mention.

The greatness of his plays had been proven by the fact that Shakespeare and his theatre company had the privilege to perform before both Queen Elizabeth I and James I, who were both enthusiastic patrons of his creativity. Shakespeare’s close connection with King James I was known. The King designated the actors of Shakespeare’s company as ‘Grooms of Chamber’. Following this, Shakespeare changed the company’s name from the ‘Lord Chamberlain’s Men’ to the ‘King’s Men’ which went a long way to make him a favourite with the King. He thus made a good headway for being a desired artist for all performances at the royal court.

Shakespeare was not only an immensely talented composer of plays and sonnets, but he was also an accomplished actor who performed in many of his own plays along with the plays by other playwrights. Early evidence suggests that he played the role of a ghost in Hamlet and Adam in As You Like It.

The mystery and enigma surrounding this great name doesn’t cease to exist even after his death. Amusingly and interestingly, Shakespeare had penned a curse for his grave, keeping miscreants, who dares to move his body from the final resting place, at bay. His epitaph says:

Good friend for Jesus’ sake forbear,

To dig the dust enclosed here:

Blest be the man that spares these stones,

And curst be he that moves my bones.

And though it was customary to dig up the bones from older graves to accommodate new ones, the remains of Shakespeare’s grave are still intact, left undisturbed. Guess the threat of curse worked out nicely for his bodily remains.