Illustration of Shakespeare for an exhibition in 1964.

'The world's greatest ever playwright' to critics, commentators and theatre-lovers around the world. 'Alright, I suppose' to Year 9 schoolchildren. Yet who exactly was William Shakespeare?

This Snapshot gives you the chance to look at primary sources concerning Shakespeare - including financial information and his last will and testament. You need to compare this source evidence with our modern interpretations of the 'Bard'. Do the sources suggest that he was an amazing, incredible man, or perhaps that modern opinions about him are more 'much ado about nothing'?

Shakespeare: What kind of a man was he?

William Shakespeare, also known as the 'Bard', was born in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 23rd 1564. It is thought he married his wife, Anne Hathaway, in 1582, although we have no specific marriage certificate. He pursued a career as an actor, poet and dramatist in London. His now famous plays were performed widely during his lifetime, although they were not actually printed until after his death. The first folio was published in 1623, with 154 sonnets, 37 plays, and 2 long poems. It is suggested that his friends put it together in case others tried to copy Shakespeare's work and claim it as their own. Since then, he has become internationally renowned as the world's greatest ever playwright.

On March 25th 1616, William Shakespeare made his will, signed 'by me, William Shakespeare'. He died on April 25th that same year. Some people will have you believe that he caught a fever at a 'merry party' thrown by Ben Johnson. Others prefer to say that no cause of death was officially recorded.

Shakespeare's will itself is a matter of debate. The last will and testament helps us to learn about Shakespeare at the end of his life, providing us with minute details about his final wishes. The source evidence in this Snapshot shows that he was a man of considerable wealth by the time he died, and that most of it was left to his eldest daughter, Susannah Hall. The will also provides us with one of only six samples of his signature. The issue of leaving his 'second best bed' appears insulting and mean to us today. Some experts explain that the 'second best bed' was actually the bed in which William and his wife Anne would have slept, as the best bed would have been kept for guests only. Others describe this as a direct insult to his wife, yet there are also suggestions that leaving a bed to your wife was actually a magnificent gift, as all the valuable bed linen and fine materials would be included. Finally it has also been proposed that a wife would always get the second best things, with the best reserved for a son or daughter - guaranteeing that the wife wouldn't have lots of fine items to attract another husband!

• Shakespeare's Will

• Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet (Internet resources on Shakespeare)
• Talking to William Shakespeare (questions and answers from the TES)
• Shakespeare resource center (US resource site providing information on Shakespeare)
• Quiz on Shakespeare's life and times (School history quiz on Shakespeare)

This Snapshot provides pupils with evidence about Shakespeare that differs from the traditional 'greatest playwright of all time' material that many will be used to. Useful for students studying life in Tudor times both from a History and English perspective, this Snapshot helps pupils examine Shakespeare as a person rather than a world famous writer. The material encourages pupils to challenge traditional expectations of Shakespeare. By investigating tax records together with his last will and testament, pupils are able to identify how Shakespeare avoided paying his tax and to develop their own theories about his final wishes. Clearly providing excellent cross-curriculum links with English and Drama studies, this Snapshot is invaluable to those studying Shakespearian times.

This Snapshot can form part of history studies relating to Tudor and Elizabethan times. As part of the National Curriculum requirements for History, this Snapshot offers breadth of study coverage for Britain 1500-1750 (9), specifically social changes. With clear English and literacy cross-curricular links, this snapshot is valuable for KS3 English use, both as an introduction to Shakespeare in Year 7 or for pupils studying their Shakespeare play for SAT exams in Year 9.

Unit 8 (KS2)

What were the differences between the lives of rich and poor people in Tudor times?

http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/schemes2/history/his8/?view=get