How did Shakespeare come to know so much?

[Vixen]

And Christopher Marlowe was born to a shoemaker, John Marlowe. (Admittedly he did have better relations on his mother's side and got a good education but . . . )

A shoemaker might seem humble viewed through our lens, of twenty-first century mass production and standard sizing. In the days of yore, people like blacksmiths and cobblers - even bakers and candlestick makers - were considered folk of high esteem.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

A shoemaker might seem humble viewed through our lens, of twenty-first century mass production and standard sizing. In the days of yore, people like blacksmiths and cobblers - even bakers and candlestick makers - were considered folk of high esteem.

Ah. True and not disputed but then Shakespeare's dad was a "glover and whittawer (leather worker) by trade."

per Wikipedia

 

[bruto]

Indeed. Tradesmen such as glovers and shoemakers were likely middle class entrepreneurs, property owners, employers whose trades were protected by guilds. Commoners, not up there with the landed gentry, but hardly peasants.

 

[EHocking]

He read a lot.
Next Question?

He relied on brain food too.

Bacon was a favourite of Shakespeare’s apparently.

 

[Pacal]

Indeed. Tradesmen such as glovers and shoemakers were likely middle class entrepreneurs, property owners, employers whose trades were protected by guilds. Commoners, not up there with the landed gentry, but hardly peasants.

Actually Shakespeare's father was by the standards of Strafford upon Avon a wealthy man. Certainly he could afford to buy housing considered fancy / expensive in the area. Further Shakespeare's father was for a time an Alderman and has such his son would have entitled to free schooling at the local Grammar School.

 

[Vixen]

Actually Shakespeare's father was by the standards of Strafford upon Avon a wealthy man. Certainly he could afford to buy housing considered fancy / expensive in the area. Further Shakespeare's father was for a time an Alderman and has such his son would have entitled to free schooling at the local Grammar School.

Stratford-Upon-Avon is also an area of great scenic beauty. No way do the poor and the wretched get to live in this type of area.

 

[carrps]

Fascinating thread. And lots of fun, too.

I highly recommend the novel Hamnet -- a novel focusing on Shakespeare's wife. Beautifully written and a vivid description of the period.

 

[Garrison]

Actually Shakespeare's father was by the standards of Strafford upon Avon a wealthy man. Certainly he could afford to buy housing considered fancy / expensive in the area. Further Shakespeare's father was for a time an Alderman and has such his son would have entitled to free schooling at the local Grammar School.

And now I am envisioning Shakespeare as a spotty teenager telling his dad he's not interested in joining the family business because he wants to move to London and become a writer...