Eternal summers
K.S.S.SESHAN
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When Shakespeare returned from London, the people of Stratford were happy to welcome home a great celebrity.
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Though Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon and spent his last years There, his entire literary career was spent in London.
SHAKESPEARE LIVES ON: View of Stratford-upon-Avon, and a drama in session at the Globe Theatre.
Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town in England with a population estimated at approximately 30,000. Annually the turn out of visitors is not less than 5,00,000! The reason is this happens to be the birthplace of William Shakespeare, the national bard of England, the great English dramatist. Situated in Warwickshire, Stratford is about 40 km from Oxford University. Though Shakespeare was born here, his father John originally belonged to the neighbouring Snittenfield and moved here around 1550. He was a wool merchant originally, but ended up as an alderman and a Justice of Peace. In 1557, John married a rich lady, Mary Arden. William was the third of their eight children, but the eldest among the sons.
Literary genius
Young William Shakespeare had his education in a local grammar school. Shakespeare got married here in 1582 and his wife, Anne Hathaway of Shottery was nearly six years older to him. In 1583, his daughter, Susanna was born. Two years later his twins, Judith and Hamnet were born.
It is not known as to when exactly Shakespeare left Stratford-upon-Avon. But it could be said that he must have left between 1585 and 1592. It is also not very certain as to why he left his birthplace.
A popular story that is told here is that Shakespeare had to leave Stratford because of his many adventures in poaching, which he had a great passion and for which, the local authorities regarded unkindly and evicted him. But when Shakespeare returned from London in 1611 after becoming a great celebrity, as the author of more than 38 dramas and several sonnets, the people and authorities at Stratford were only too happy to have him back. Shakespeare spent the rest of his life here and died on April 23, 1616.
Though Shakespeare was born in Stratford and spent his last years here, his entire literary career was spent in London. Today, very close to the London Bridge, towards Southwark, is a replica of the famous Globe Theatre built in 1599. It was demolished and rebuilt on this site, several times. Today there is an Arts centre and also a museum at the theatre.
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Traditional birthday celebrations
Stratford-Upon-Avon is located in Warwickshire, in the heart of England. The town of Stratford lies on the Avon, about eight miles downstream from the county town of Warwick. Stratford was originally a market town.
Tradition has it that William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, three days prior to his baptism recorded at Holy Trinity Church. Shakespeare's birthday was first celebrated in 1824 with a procession through the streets to Holy Trinity Church, a dinner and a few speeches. Over the years, the tradition has grown to include unique features like street theatre, the Shakespeare Morris Men, Children's County dancing, the Band of the Corps of Drums.
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