A collection of interactive articles exploring the life, work and legacy of the Bard.
William Shakespeare's plays have entertained, amused and educated us for centuries. He is England’s most celebrated dramatist and poet and his works have been translated into 80 languages, including Star Trek’s Klingon.
He helped shape the English we use today, introducing up to 300 words and dozens of well-known phrases, and his plays are known around the world for their universal themes and insight into the human condition.
These interactive articles will be useful for teaching secondary students about William Shakespeare's life, work and legacy.
Timelines of Shakespeare's life
William Shakespeare: The life and legacy of England’s bard. document
A timeline of Shakespeare's life. Much about the playwright is a mystery - Historians don’t know his date of birth, where he was educated or how he spent seven years of his life.
A day in the life of William Shakespeare. document
A timeline showing an imagined day in the life of William Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon circa 1604. Made in association with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
The Bard's life, work and legacy
Find out about Shakespeare's life, work and legacy, and hear from writers and actors who have explored his work.
Did Shakespeare write Star Wars? document
Many writers and academics have asked whether just a few basic plots have ever existed, spanning the centuries from the Minotaur to Mad Max, from Shakespeare to Star Wars. Most popular movie franchises owe a huge debt to literary giants from history, in particular Shakespeare.
How can I learn to love Shakespeare? document
Russell T Davies and the cast of A Midsummer Nights Dream on the challenges of adapting Shakespeare and the value of letting the Bard into your life.
How has Shakespeare influenced us? document
A 60-second animation that examines how the words Shakespeare used, and the films based on his work, continue to influence us today.
Why was Shakespeare so special? document
Michael Rosen explores the work of William Shakespeare and his fellow playwrights, and looks at why his plays in particular have stood the test of time.
Where did Shakespeare go on tour? document
An interactive map showing where Shakespeare and his acting troupe – The King’s Men – went on tour in England.
Was Shakespeare a feminist? document
Discussing how Shakespeare's plays and poems dealt with women's equality in the Elizabethan age.
How did people really speak in Shakespearean England? document
A look at Shakespeare’s plays and how well they can be said to represent the Elizabethan language.
Why is the Bard so popular abroad? document
Looking at Shakespeare’s popularity abroad. How far have his plays reached and how are they used by different cultures?
How did Shakespeare shape our sense of history? document
Although Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet are now Shakespeare's most performed plays, that was not always the case. History plays drew big audiences: it’s thought around 15,000 Londoners went to the theatre every week in the 1590s.
