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400 years of Shakespeare

This year is the 400th anniversary of the “Bard of Avon” who has become a global cultural icon and is often referred to as the greatest writer who ever lived

Jesus, Genghis Khan, Einstein, Messi...some names need little or no introduction. Another famous name that just about everyone in the world knows is Shakespeare, which is even more likely to be true after this year, which is the 400th anniversary of the Bard of Avon's death. William Shakespeare, playwright, poet and global cultural and literary icon, died at the age of 49 on April 23 (now also Sant Jordi and World Book Day) in 1616.

Coinciding with the literary golden age of Elizabethan England, the man born in the Warwickshire town of Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564 moved to London to pursue a career as an actor, writer and, eventually, theatre company owner. Three years before his death, Shakespeare retired back to his home town as one of England's most successful playwrights, with a literary legacy that amounted to some 38 plays, 154 sonnets and two long narrative poems.

Shakespeare also left behind a wife, Anne Hathaway, who he had married at the age 18 – Anne was 26 in 1582 when they tied the knot – before he embarked on his London adventure, as well as the three children he had with Anne: Susanna and the twins, Hamnet and Judith.

Yet, despite Shakespeare's life providing plenty of material for scores of books and many areas of academic research, looking into his religious beliefs (see inset), his business dealings and even his sexuality, it is Shakespeare's literary work that rightly garners the most attention for its sheer quality, breadth, originality and seemingly everlasting universal relevance.

It is thought that Shakespeare wrote most of his stage work between 1589 and 1613, starting with comedies (As You Like It, Measure for Measure) and histories (Henry V, Richard III), before he moved on to his great tragic plays (Hamlet, King Lear), ending his writing career with tragicomedies or romances (The Tempest, A Winter's Tale). However, Shakespeare also left behind a modest but significant body of poetry, in the shape of his sonnet series and the narrative poems, Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece.

There is also some evidence that he may have collaborated with a number of other writers, as well as the possibility that some of his work has still not been identified or even lost to time. At the same time, there are a small number of academics that have questioned his authorship, with suggestions that other figures of the time, such as Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe or Edward de Vere, may have been the actual authors of some of the work that has become attributed to Shakespeare.

Global interest

Whatever the case, the Shakespeare we know today has become a global phenomenon. Apart from the fact that countries and theatre companies all over the world are continually producing versions of his plays, his work is studied –often compulsorily– in educational establishments all over the planet. His works have been translated into some 80 languages, including Klingon, the invented alien language from the Star Trek films and TV series. What's more, Shakespeare's influence has become such that around 300 common words and phrases used in the English language every day can trace their origins back to the Bard's work (see pages 22/23).

Host of events

Naturally, given Shakespeare's global profile and the ubiquitous reach of his work, this year's anniversary commemorations are not restricted to his native country of England. As is fitting for a global icon, it will be hard to find a corner of the Earth this year that does not celebrate the Bard in some way or another. Nevertheless, Shakespeare 400, the umbrella term for the many activities and performances planned in the UK in 2016, will be one of the most complete and active cultural programmes.

A few examples of what is scheduled for Shakespeare 400, include an immersive theatrical exhibition at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), while his home town of Stratford-Upon-Avon (where the RSC is based) has updated his final home and will open his schoolroom to the public for the very first time. Stratford also has a number of public events planned, such as a firework display and a parade, as well as unveiling a new life-sized sculpture of William Shakespeare by an American artist.

Some of the commemoration events have a less direct connection to the Bard and his work, such as the new British passport design that was recently presented at Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London. Meanwhile, researchers will scan Shakespeare's grave in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford, with an excavation of the playwright's house also due to begin. The BBC will join in with Shakespeare Live!, which will feature a host of celebrities and public figures to be broadcast on BBC Two on April 23 as part of the BBC Shakespeare Festival 2016.

Finally, the World Shakespeare Congress, which brings together professionals, academics and experts on Shakespeare and his work, will begin in July with the debates, presentations and workshops taking place both in London and Stratford.

Catalonia and the rest of Spain will also commemorate the anniversary, in particular the British Council in Spain, which is organising “a global programme of events and activities celebrating Shakespeare's life” under the title, Shakespeare Lives. The programme will include the participation of many UK theatres, museums, educators and artists in activities that include film adaptations, public readings and educational resources for schools and English language learners (see pages 20/21).

A question of belief

Shakespeare and his work are naturally key areas of academic study. Yet, much of what we think we know about the man and his work is unconfirmed, while much remains the object of speculation. Apart from doubts raised about the real authorship of the works attributed to Shakespeare (see main text), one of the most important theories proposed over the years relate to his religious beliefs. Elizabethan England had only relatively recently adopted Protestantism as the state religion and the practise of Catholicism was banned. Yet, there were plenty of crypto-Catholics around, and some academics suggest Shakespeare was one of them. There is evidence that Shakespeare was from a Catholic family, such as a statement of faith signed by his father, John, found in 1757 in the rafters of his former house. We also know that his mother, Mary Arden, was from a pious Catholic family. Textual references also exist in support of the theory. However, if the Bard was a secret Catholic, in public he certainly conformed to the state religion.

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