Shakespeare and the English Renaissance

What happened

Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564, William Shakespeare made his career in the London theatre, and by December 1594 was a leading member of the acting company later known as the King's Men. Through the 1590s he wrote history plays, comedies, and early tragedies such as Romeo and Juliet, bringing Renaissance humanism into the English language.

Why it matters

Shakespeare stands at the height of the English Renaissance, and his plays — probing character, power, and the human condition — became the most influential body of work in the English literary tradition.

Sources

• Folger Shakespeare Library. Shakespeare's Life · Reputable source