Shakespeare Week is upon us for the seventh year in a row from 15 to 21 March. It aims to educate younger learners about the famous playwright. Learn more about why Shakespeare is so special to English culture.
Shakespeare Week has rolled around again in the UK, playing its part in keeping the magic of William Shakespeare alive in British culture and by introducing people to timeless literature heralded as some of the best English work ever created.
Interesting Fact: Shakespeare never published any of his own plays. Thankfully, two of his friends, John Heminges and Henry Condell did, shaping English theatre forever.
Launched in 2014 for the first time by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the 15th to the 21st of March 2021 will mark Shakespeare Week’s 7th anniversary. The commemoration is now highly supported in Britain and embraced by some of the country’s top cultural institutions, including Classic FM, the ABRSM, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
What is Shakespeare Week?
Shakespeare Week is an annual national celebration of Shakespeare and his work in the United Kingdom. It aims at catering to primary schools across the land with the goal of introducing children to his literature for the first time.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust provides some great tools for schools, families, and other cultural organisations to use in order to make the British children’s first experience of the iconic writer a memorable and engaging one.
Who is William Shakespeare?
If you are English speaking, there is little chance that you have not heard about or experienced something associated with William Shakespeare in your life. He is commonly regarded as the greatest English writer and playwright ever.
Did you know? Shakespeare is often referred to as an Elizabethan playwright. The truth is, he wrote his plays after Queen Elizabeth I died, making him a Jacobean era writer.
Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, where he grew up and attended school. At a mere 18 years of age, he married Anne Hathaway, who was eight years his senior at the time. Anne gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Susanna, six months after their marriage.
Two years later (1585), the couple had twins, Hamnet, and Judith. Unfortunately, Hamnet died of unknown causes at age eleven, leaving the family with the two girls. We know very little about the Shakespearian household beyond this point until William emerged into the public space and entered the theatre scene in 1592.
He became a prominent actor in the theatres of London but is most recognised for writing 39 of his own plays. His portfolio also includes 154 sonnets, three long-form narrative poems, and several other verses.
Interesting Fact: Men used to dominate theatre acting in the Shakespearian drama era. Many female roles were played by male actors.
What is perhaps most noticeable about Shakespeare’s work is the language that he adopts. He wrote his earlier plays in the conventional style of the day - a stylised form of English embedded in poetry that relied on metaphors and rhetorical language.
His mature works combined a transition from traditional to a freer style of writing. His literature became an artwork crafted with varying techniques. It was ever evolving as he progressed as a literary artist.
Some people do not realise the impact Shakespeare has had on our language, but many phrases that we use in our everyday language today stem from his writings. Here is a list of some of the things that you might find yourself saying that derive from Shakespeare’s work:
The above phrases were not a part of the English vocabulary until William Shakespeare’s works. Such has been the influence of his craft, that he is affectionally referred to as “England’s National Poet” and the “Bard of Avon.”
Did you know? Shakespeare turned to write sonnets because the bubonic plague shut down the theatre industry in England. This is proof that something positive can come out of a disastrous circumstance.
Just about every high school pupil has been introduced to at least one of Mr Shakespeare’s stories as a set-work book. Tales like Macbeth, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, King Lear, and a Midsummer Night’s Dream have all been studied by learners for many decades.
In fact, in today’s age, you might have even watched retakes of these famous plays thanks to Hollywood and its penchant to retell classic tales. Movies that spring to mind are the Leonardo DiCaprio-led Romeo and Juliet film in 1996 and Mel Gibson in the 1990 rendition of Hamlet.
Why is Shakespeare Important for Our Kids and Our Culture?
William Shakespeare’s work is timeless. It transcends all eras and is important for our children to learn about, for several reasons. These include:
Interesting Fact: Shakespeare wrote about suicide 13 times throughout the list of his plays. It seems that he was quite drawn to this type of death, and even romanticised it.
It’s hard to look past the sheer scope of influence this famous actor and writer has had on the world, let alone on Great Britain. It is with this in mind, that it becomes clear that Shakespeare Week is a valuable contribution to the education of our younger generation.
What Does Shakespeare Week Accomplish?
The goal of this week of remembrance is to inspire children up to the age of 11 to ‘’explore and develop their own creativity and cultural interests outside of the week of celebration.” Throughout the week, the school curriculum at the junior level centres around Shakespeare’s works.
The students recreate his plays and take part in activities that celebrate his contribution to the culture. Some of the activities include crafting puppets and learning science, history, and numeracy in the context of Shakespeare’s world.
Celebrate Shakespeare in GamblersPick Style
At GamblersPick we have a unique way of celebrating special occasions, holidays, and anniversaries. If you are over 18 and are missing out on the Shakespeare craze right now because you are too old to attend school, you can celebrate the man with us by enjoying two special slot games crafted to showcase the themes of his most popular love story - Romeo and Juliet.
✓ Romeo and Juliet slot by Pragmatic Play
Pragmatic Play adapts the age-old tale of love for the mobile screen with its Romeo and Juliet game rendition. Using great colours and detailed visuals from the storyline, you can relive the drama across 5 reels and 25 paylines.
The game boasts a low-medium variance with a 96.18% RTP. This math model is less risky than most and is crafted to provide more regular wins of up to 1,000x your stake.
Special features include two walking wild variations where Romeo and Juliet roam the reels to unlock winning combinations. If the two symbols meet on the middle reel, you will receive up to 25 free spins with an expanding Wild on the middle column for the duration of the feature.
Did you know? Shakespeare was a peculiar man. Upon his death, he left only his second favourite bed to his wife, along with all the bed linen.
✓ Romeo and Juliet by Blueprint Gaming
Blueprint Gaming released a game showcasing the famous tale of forbidden love in 2018. It boasts classical artwork that fits the era and a musical soundtrack to back the visuals appropriately.
The game showcases a medium variance math model with a lower than average 92.59% RTP, however, players can win lucrative rewards of up to 10,000x their stake on any given spin.
When it comes to special features, the game shines, with two bonuses up for grabs. Trigger the Pick A Heart feature to win instant cash rewards or activate several free games for bonus winning potential.
Round-Up
Sometimes, countries and cultures embrace special occasions for the most random reasons. This time, however, we can see great merit in celebrating the life and works of one of the most creative dramatists that ever lived. Shakespeare Week receives our seal of approval, how about yours?
For more information on this commemorative period go to the official webpage at shakespeareweek.org.uk.
Discover football-themed casino games inspired by the 2026 World Cup - from live dealer tables to crash games and online slots. You’ll find new ways to enjoy this world-class tournament beyond sports betting.
Stake leads the way in adventurous advertising in celebration of football. Going beyond the scope of ordinary and bringing to life something extraordinary - A football match in the sky.
Looking for the best crypto casino bonuses? Discover the top 7 crypto casinos offering generous welcome rewards, free spins, cashback deals, and ongoing promotions.
Casinos
Games
Jackpots
