15. Shakespeare was not highly educated
Surprise surprise – when your parents or teachers say you won’t amount to anything great in life without studying hard, they certainly don’t know about William Shakespeare’s education. He did attend a school but he never went on to pursue higher education. Today it might seem like a shocker but back in the day, it was not very uncommon. Higher education was a privilege that only the elite of the country were accustomed to.
Drawing of William Shakespeare’s house in Stratford-Upon-Avon. PHOTO: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images
London’s education system is old, Oxford University started back in the 1200s. However, since Shakespeare’s times (16th century) were such that most people would go into family trades rather than finding jobs (the mass producing industrial boom won’t arrive for a few more centuries). Despite the fact that it was completely normal for Shakespeare not to pursue education, it is hard to put your head around it. Shakespeare only had the very basic education – nope, doesn’t feel right.
Depiction of Shakespeare studying. PHOTO: Geoffrey Tristram
No Responses