Shakespeare's Secret Life: 9 Simple Fun Facts That Will Make You Love Him Even More

William Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright and poet, is often revered as a literary genius. But how well do we really know him? While his works are widely studied and admired, there are many fascinating facts about his life that are less well-known. Here are simple nine fun facts that will give you a glimpse into Shakespeare's secret life, and make you love him even more.

 

1. He was a bit of a rebel

 

Shakespeare's family was part of the rising middle class, but he didn't exactly follow the traditional path. He left school at the age of 13 to pursue a career in acting and theater, which was considered a lowly profession at the time. In fact, his father was a glove maker and expected Shakespeare to take over the family business. But Shakespeare had other plans. He even got into trouble with the authorities for his part in a play that was deemed "too saucy" for the times. The play, "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," featured a character who was said to have been inspired by Shakespeare's own rebellious nature.

 

2. He was a bit of a foodie

 

Shakespeare loved his food, and his plays often feature elaborate feasts and banquets. In fact, he was known to have a sweet tooth, and his favorite dessert was probably marchpane, a type of almond cake that was popular in Elizabethan England. He even wrote a recipe for marchpane in his play "The Two Noble Kinsmen," which features a scene where the characters enjoy a lavish feast. Marchpane was considered a luxury food item at the time, and Shakespeare's inclusion of it in the play shows his appreciation for fine cuisine.

 

3. He had a complicated relationship with his wife

 

Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway (not to be confused with the modern-day actress) when he was just 18 years old, and she was eight years his senior. While they had three children together, their marriage was reportedly tumultuous, with Anne being known to be quite hot-tempered. In fact, one of Shakespeare's contemporaries described Anne as "a great woman" who was "as good as any man." Shakespeare's sonnets often feature themes of love and relationships, and some scholars believe that they may have been inspired by his own complicated marriage.

 

4. He was an early adopter of technology

 

Shakespeare was fascinated by the new technology of printing presses, and he even wrote a play about the impact of printing on society. His play "The Winter's Tale" features a character who is said to have been inspired by Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press. Shakespeare also used his plays to poke fun at the growing trend of using technology to replace human skills. In his play "The Taming of the Shrew," he depicts a world where machines are used to do tasks that were previously done by humans.

 

5. He was a bit of a gambler

 

Shakespeare loved to play cards and dice, and he even lost money on occasion. In fact, one of his friends, Richard Burbage, had to bail him out of debt after Shakespeare lost a significant sum of money in a game of cards. Burbage was a famous actor who appeared in many of Shakespeare's plays, and he often played the role of the fool or jester. Shakespeare's love of games and gambling is reflected in many of his plays, including "The Merchant of Venice" and "The Taming of the Shrew."

 

6. He was a skilled musician

 

Shakespeare loved music and often incorporated songs into his plays. In fact, he was known to have played the lute and even composed music himself. His plays often feature songs and dances that were popular in Elizabethan England, and many scholars believe that he may have been inspired by the music of the Renaissance period. Shakespeare's love of music is reflected in many of his plays, including "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Twelfth Night."

 

7. He had a pet dog

 

Shakespeare's love for animals is well-documented, and he often featured animals in his plays. In fact, he had a pet dog named "Mistress" who was said to have been quite loyal to him. Mistress appears in several of Shakespeare's plays, including "The Two Noble Kinsmen" and "The Winter's Tale." Shakespeare's love of animals is reflected in many of his plays, including "The Tempest" and "The Comedy of Errors."

 

8. He was an early advocate for women's rights

 

While Shakespeare's views on women were often limited by his time period, he did feature strong female characters in many of his plays. In fact, he even wrote about women's rights and gender equality in his play "The Taming of the Shrew." The play features a strong-willed heroine named Kate who defies her husband's attempts to control her. While some scholars believe that Shakespeare may have been poking fun at women's roles in society, others argue that he was actually advocating for greater equality between men and women.

 

9. He had a secret nickname

 

Shakespeare's friends and colleagues called him "the Bard" behind his back, which is believed to have originated from the French word "bard," meaning "poet." The nickname has stuck to this day, and is now widely used to refer to Shakespeare. Some scholars believe that Shakespeare may have been known by other nicknames during his lifetime, but "the Bard" remains one of the most enduring and iconic names associated with him.

 

There you have it - nine simple fun facts about Shakespeare's secret life that will make you love him even more. Whether he's being portrayed as a rebellious teenager or a charming musician, Shakespeare's complexity is what makes him so amazing.

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