 Hello dear learners. Welcome to today's program. I am Dr. Pallavi Gugoy of Padmanad Guhaibara School of Humanities, Krishna Kandahandik State Open University. Today, I shall take up Unit 9 of General English course, Semester 1, Log 2. The unit is titled, William Shakespeare, Macbeth. And this is part one where we shall discuss the life of William Shakespeare. Let us then quickly begin. I shall first begin with a table of contents starting with a learning objectives followed by the introduction, the life of William Shakespeare and a few questions to check your progress and the references. Coming to learning objectives. After going through the video, the learner will be able to gain an insight into the life of William Shakespeare, who is considered one of the greatest dramatists of all times. To introduce you to William Shakespeare, William Shakespeare was one of the greatest known literary figures of English literature. Shakespeare, who is associated with the epithet, the Bard of Avon. Yes, you heard right. The Bard of Avon was born on April 26, 1564. Traditionally, however, his birth is celebrated on April 23rd, which is also known to have been his date of death. Isn't that a coincidence? Coming to the life of William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare was the eldest of the eight children of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden of Stratford of Avon. John Shakespeare worked as a tradesman and bailiff who had an influential role in the society. Mary Arden came from a family of high social standing. Only five of the eight children had survived childhood. Shakespeare, like his other brothers, was provided education in a local drama school. He married Anne Hathaway, a wealthy widow in the year 1582. His daughter, Susanna, was born in 1583 and the twins, Hamnit and Judith, were born in the year 1585. It has been stated in archival records that Shakespeare began as a schoolmaster in the countryside. In 1587, an actor of a theatre company called Queensman had died and Shakespeare may have filled up the vacancy, leading to his future rise as a renowned playwright. Later he became a leading member of the Lord Chamberlain's men in 1594 to become prosperous. Soon the theatre group became the leading theatre company of London and succeeded in occupying the famous Globe Theatre in 1599. The Globe Theatre was a large polygonal patch building with a centre open to the sky. It was used for the purpose of theatre performance, so you can imagine this wonderful structure of the Globe Theatre. The group soon came to be known as the Kingsmen. Shakespeare flourished as a playwright and in the year 1610 and left London for his hometown where he began to live at a new residence in New Place. His relationship with the theatre company ceased when the Globe Theatre was burned down during a performance in 1613. During the last years of his life, Shakespeare became more involved with Stratford and Hill's children, especially with regard to the marriage of his daughters. Nevertheless, his connection with the theatre world did not perish and he continued creating his dramatic works. Shakespeare passed away on April 23, 1616 and was laid to rest in Holy Trinity. This brings us to questions to check your progress, starting with question number one. Who is associated with the epithet Bard of Avon? Question number two. Who was William Shakespeare born to? Question number three. What was the name of the theatre company for which William Shakespeare first began to work? Question number four. What was the structure of the Globe Theatre? Question number five. How did William Shakespeare spend the last days of his life? With this we come to the end of this unit. Here are the references. I hope you would also refer to BA English graduate self-learning material of jail English block two unit nine semester one. Thank you dear learners.