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Get ready to celebrate the literary genius and master of words, William Shakespeare, during Shakespeare Week from March 15-21! This week-long celebration was created in 2014 by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust to honor the life and works of one of the most iconic playwrights in history. From his famous tragedies like Romeo and Juliet to his comedic plays like A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare's works continue to captivate audiences all over the world. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just discovering his brilliance, there's no better time to immerse yourself in all things Shakespeare than during this exciting week.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1564</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of Shakespeare</div><div class='timeline-text'>William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1590</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Shakespeare's Early Plays</div><div class='timeline-text'>The early plays written by William Shakespeare, including Henry VI and The Comedy of Errors, start to be performed regularly.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1599</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>The Globe Theatre</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Globe Theatre, associated with William Shakespeare, is built on the south bank of the River Thames in London.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1623</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Publication of Shakespeare's First Folio</div><div class='timeline-text'>Seven years after his death, the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, known as The First Folio, is published.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1999</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Shakespeare in Modern Media</div><div class='timeline-text'>Shakespeare's influence pervades contemporary literature, film, and television, with modern adaptations like "10 Things I Hate About You".</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2014</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inaugural Shakespeare Week</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust establishes the first annual Shakespeare Week, a national annual celebration of Shakespeare for primary school aged children.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a Shakespearean movie night</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends and watch a classic Shakespearean movie adaptation like "Romeo and Juliet" or "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Serve popcorn and snacks for a fun and educational evening.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a Shakespearean play</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check your local theater for any productions of Shakespeare's plays. Seeing a live performance is a great way to immerse yourself in the world of Shakespeare and appreciate his work.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create your own Shakespearean sonnet</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Challenge yourself to write your own Shakespearean sonnet. Use iambic pentameter and traditional rhyme schemes to create a beautiful and poetic tribute to the Bard.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Dress up as your favorite Shakespearean character</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and dress up as your favorite character from a Shakespearean play. This is a fun way to pay homage to the great playwright and show off your knowledge of his works.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a Shakespearean trivia night</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and test your knowledge of Shakespeare with a trivia night. Create categories like "Famous Quotes" or "Characters" to make it more challenging and fun.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Celebrate a literary icon</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Shakespeare Week is a time to honor and celebrate the life and works of one of the most renowned playwrights in history. It's a chance to appreciate the genius behind plays like Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, and to gain a deeper understanding of his impact on literature.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Discover new perspectives</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Shakespeare Week also provides an opportunity to explore different interpretations of his works. With various adaptations and performances, audiences can gain fresh insight into the complex themes and characters that make up Shakespeare's plays.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Engage with the community</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>During this week, many organizations host events and activities centered around Shakespeare's legacy. These events not only provide opportunities for cultural engagement but also allow individuals to connect with others who share a love for his work.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Shakespeare's Birthday and Death Day are the Same</h3><p class='facts-content'>Shakespeare was believed to have been born and died on the same date (April 23rd), albeit 52 years apart. This only adds to the lore surrounding his life and work.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Shakespeare Invented Over 1,700 Words</h3><p class='facts-content'>Shakespeare was not only a master of the stage, but also of language, introducing over 1,700 words into the English language. Some of these words include "critical", "leapfrog", and even "swagger".</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Shakespeare is the Second Most Quoted Writer in English</h3><p class='facts-content'>After the authors of the Bible, Shakespeare is the most quoted writer in the English language, demonstrating his lasting impact on literature and culture.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There's Mystery Surrounding Shakespeare's 'Lost Years'</h3><p class='facts-content'>There's an unaccounted period in Shakespeare's life, between 1585 and 1592, which is referred to as his 'lost years'. Various theories about these years have surfaced, some even suggesting that he might have been a school teacher.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Shakespeare's Signature is a Rare Find</h3><p class='facts-content'>There are only six known examples of Shakespeare's signature in existence. He spelled his name in various ways, and none of the spellings match the widely accepted modern spelling of his name.</p></div></div>
Shakespeare Week is celebrated on March 21 every year. In 2024 Shakespeare Week will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Mar 21
Tuesday
2024
Mar 21
Thursday
2025
Mar 21
Friday
2026
Mar 21
Saturday
2027
Mar 21
Sunday
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