Shakespeare’s Birthplace The Comedies, Histories & Tragedies – Part 1

“There is a history in all men’s lives.” – Henry IV, part II- Shakespeare

Trying to take a step backwards into history; on a cool September autumn afternoon, I stood in a slight drizzle looking at the birthplace of Shakespeare and wondering what it was that had drawn me here at this time of the year. It is just another English house, but for its resident who made it extraordinary – this was home to one of the greatest English writer who holds a universal appeal. His plays and poems continue, till times today to entice readers and audience, transcending borders of countries and languages. Undoubtedly, this celebrated author is remembered even after 450 years, his literary work have been proudly since ages been imbibed in most school and University syllabus. So, I went visiting the English town of Stratford-upon-Avon where the historic and skillfully restored house of William Shakespeare is located, after driving past road signage of Welcome to Warwickshire Shakespeare County.

I Long to Hear the Story of your Life

We reached the Shakespeare’s museum through which is the Entry to the Shakespeare’s Birthplace House. We came across a plaque- ‘I long to hear the story of your life’ from the play The Tempest (Act 5 Scene1) that seem to echo our sentiments regarding engrossing life of playwright William Shakespeare! Next we came across photographs of 6 famous Memorials to Shakespeare- 2 in UK besides Stratford- Upon-Avon, 1 in Paris France and 3 in USA.

Photographs of 6 famous Memorials to Shakespeare- 2 in UK besides Stratford- Upon-Avon, 1 in Paris France and 3 in USA.

Quoting Shakespeare

 Additionally stimulating is a Board that announces tens of Shakespeare’s quotes that we use in regular conversation not even realizing that it was first written by Shakespeare –

Its Greek to me, into thin air, to budge an inch, green eyed jealousy, a tower of strength, tongue tied, knitted your brows, fair play, slept not one wink, cold comfort, seen better days, as good luck would have it, bag and baggage, that is the long and short of it, the game is up, own flesh and blood, good riddance, dead as doornail, send me packing, laughing stock, for goodness sake! What the dickens!

Shakespeare’s Birthplace & Charles Dickens

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was founded in 1847, almost three centuries after his birth and has been able to preserve his legacy and the five Tudor houses associated with Shakespeare’s lifetime. It was by the 19^th century, that the house had decayed but has been completely restored with the attempts of the 19th century famous writer – Charles Dickens. He organized performances in towns of England to raise funds to renovate the memorial house. We gathered this info and lot more at the Shakespeare vivid, engrossing Museum through which is the Entry to Shakespeare’s birthplace!!

37 Plays & 154 Sonnets: from Stratford-upon -Avon to London

Subsequently we came across a colourful Kiosk for children named after Shakespeare’s famous play-Midsummer Night’s Dream followed by a long list of names and years of his literary works that went on  to add up to an astounding figure of 37 plays, 154 Sonnets & 5 titled Poems!! We loved the commemorative coins with name of famous Plays on them and Shakespeare’s fascinating Bust.

A Colourful Kiosk for children named after Shakespeare’s famous play-Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Stories of the House Sketches

Next we discovered the beautiful sketch of the Shakespeare’s Birthplace house since the year 1769 from the time that his father John Shakespeare married his mother Mary Arden and lived here. William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 as their 3^rd child – the surviving eldest son amongst 8 children.

Also engrossing was the sketch of New Place – Shakespeare’s own large residence bought in 1597 for 120 pounds!! Next to it is the copy of the First Folio of Mr William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories & Tragedies was published in November 1623, years after his death!

Shakespeare’s Birthplace- Expensive Bed in the Parlour

Subsequently we entered Shakespeare’s Birthplace house which is quite lively with radiant colours welcoming anyone who enters it, echoing the lifestyle of the 16^th century. Shakespeare lived here with his parents and many more brothers and sisters. The Parlour, Hall, Workshop, Bedrooms and the furnishings have been reinstated too.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace House

We first stepped into a room that was part of Joan Hart’s cottage attached to the Shakespeare home.  William Shakespeare‘s sister lived here and maybe Shakespeare and his wife Ann lived here too after they were married. Past an original medieval Fireplace we walked into the Parlour and were surprised to see a colourful canopy and drapes bed! In that era the most expensive piece of furniture was displayed in the Parlour for guests which were the beds- a symbol of wealth!!

The Hall next door was the main living space of the house that held an attractively laid out Dining Table and benches to sit upon. We were impressed to know that the Benches were about 500 years old and the cupboard behind was made in the1500’s!!

Trees associated with Shakespeare & Souvenirs

We spotted many leather Gloves as Shakespeare’s father was a Glove maker on our way to the items-display glass cabinets with some Shakespeare’s link- like Shakespeare’s Jug, Goblet made out of Mulberry wood tree in Shakespeare’s New Place home and interestingly, a piece of crab-apple tree under which Shakespeare slept! The Falcon inn model chair, a cross and carved boxes were also displayed in a cabinet that like the previous items had been made from oak wood and other wood trees associated with William Shakespeare; as souvenirs for tourists since centuries!!

Subsequently we moved ahead eager to witness William Shakespeare’s Birth room, the famous Writers Signature window and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s Bust in the beautiful gardens.