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William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564. In his schooling and upbringing he absorbed local beliefs traditions and ways of behaviour.  Even after he became an important playwright, working in London, he regularly came back to Stratford where his wife and children still lived, he owned properties there, and he died and was buried there in 1616.

Consequently the region has one of the world’s most important theatre companies, the Royal Shakespeare Company, based in Stratford, two of the world’s largest Shakespeare libraries, one at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and one in Birmingham Central Library, and some of the world’s foremost Shakespeare scholars have worked locally.  The libraries contain editions of Shakespeare’s works and books for the study of his work, life and the theatre, with illustrations DVDs, videos, production photographs, reviews, music and prompt scripts.

Shakespeare’s plays, and poems, are integral to world literature.  They are translated into all major languages, and performed all around the world.  Their enduring appeal is based on his deep understanding of human life and love, and on the beauty of his language.  His works have inspired musical, ballet, operatic and comic burlesque adaptations, and all the major plays have been filmed, some many times.  These classic texts have been favourites with many political prisoners and productions of the plays have been used by political dissidents to subvert oppressive regimes.  Phrases from the plays have entered our everyday language, and the humane beliefs they embody have become integral to our culture.

Category: People

Institute: Birmingham Libraries Central Library