By Iullia Gurskaia
On the 16th of January Café Scientifique had the opportunity to invite Mikael Davies, a special guest and an English teacher, in order to explore mysteries and facts of Shakespeare’s life. William Shakespeare was a famous playwright, poet and actor. Nowadays his works are widely known, and a great majority of people are familiar with his name and associate Shakespeare with the classic of English literature. Mikael Davies, as an expert, shared a few interesting details about the life of this outstanding person.
How It All Began
After the presentation we were lucky to interview Mikael Davies who informed us about his life experience. It was previously mentioned that Mikael Davies is currently an English teacher. He explains his choice of profession by the fact that as a child he enjoyed studying at school and always wanted to stay in that environment. Besides teaching Mikael Davies has purchased another passion – reading. Books allow him to be transported to other cultures, countries and other ages. It is undoubtedly true that literature has become a significant part of his life. Mikael Davies has been interested in Shakespeare since his school years. His schoolteachers, obviously, played a significant role here, sparking an interest in Shakespeare.
Shakespeare’s Origin
While we know Shakespeare was born in 1564, the exact day is shrouded in mystery. However, the day of his death is not a secret from anybody. Therefore, it is customary to celebrate the day he passed, specifically April 23. It is a curious quirk in Shakespeare’s legacy that no definitive birthdate exists.
Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare, was a respected glove maker. John Shakespeare’s trade was lucrative, and his success allowed his son to receive an education, sending him to a Latin Grammar School.
Shakespeare was one of eight children born to John and Mary Shakespeare, but many of his siblings did not survive childhood. Only three of them lived to adulthood, which was not uncommon in the 16th century. The loss of siblings during his early years may have influenced the themes of mortality and family dynamics that appear throughout Shakespeare’s plays.
A Latin Grammar School
Shakespeare likely attended the King’s New School in Stratford, where he would have received a classical education. The school focused on teaching Latin and classical literature, which was standard for the time. Shakespeare’s education in Latin grammar and rhetoric helped him develop the rich language and intricate wordplay that characterize his works, from his comedies to his tragedies. An amazing fact is that a significant part of words in modern English was created by Shakespeare.
The Mysterious “Lost Years”
Between 1585 and 1592, there is a gap in Shakespeare’s biography, often referred to as the “lost years.” Little is known about what he was doing during this time. Some scholars speculate he may have been a sailor, soldier, teacher, or even worked with the law. The lack of evidence leaves room for speculation and intrigue about his life during this period. All these theories are based solely on the references from his plays.
The Globe Theatre
Shakespeare was a playwright whose works were performed in the Globe Theater, mainly his contribution became a key success factor. The open-air venue attracted a wide audience, from nobility to commoners, and was the site of many of Shakespeare’s greatest works. Nowadays the Globe Theatre is directly associated with Shakespeare and his art.
We profoundly enjoyed Mikael Davies’s presentation. His speech allowed us to look at Shakespeare from a different angle and provided us with curious details about his life and works. We are incredibly grateful for an opportunity to learn more about this outstanding person.
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