Who Did Shakespeare Marry and What Was Scandalous About It?
William Shakespeare, widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights and poets in history, is a figure whose personal life has long been the subject of curiosity and speculation. While the details of his life remain somewhat elusive, one of the most intriguing aspects of his biography is his marriage.
Shakespeare’s Wife: Anne Hathaway
William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Anne was a woman from a nearby village, Shottery, and she was eight years older than Shakespeare. At the time of their marriage, Shakespeare was 18 years old, and Anne was 26. This age difference, along with the circumstances surrounding their marriage, has led to some speculation and controversy over the years.
The Scandalous Nature of Their Marriage
Several aspects of Shakespeare’s marriage to Anne Hathaway have been considered scandalous or unconventional, particularly for the time:
- The Age Difference:
- The significant age gap between Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway raised eyebrows, particularly because Anne was older than Shakespeare. In a time when it was more common for men to marry younger women, their age difference seemed unusual to contemporaries. This disparity has fueled debates about the nature of their relationship.
- Anne Hathaway’s Pregnancy:
- The most scandalous aspect of their marriage was that Anne Hathaway was pregnant at the time of their marriage. In fact, Shakespeare and Anne were likely forced to marry due to her pregnancy. Their first child, Susanna, was born just six months after the wedding, which strongly suggests that Anne was already pregnant when the marriage took place. In Elizabethan society, premarital pregnancy was considered a moral transgression, and a quick marriage was a way to avoid public scandal.
- Marriage at a Young Age:
- Shakespeare was just 18 when he married Anne Hathaway, which was considered young for a man in that era to take on the responsibilities of marriage and family. It was also not uncommon for young women like Anne to marry older men, but the situation became more scrutinized due to the pregnancy.
- Anne Hathaway’s Background:
- Anne Hathaway came from a relatively humble background, and her family’s social status was considered somewhat lower than Shakespeare’s. Shakespeare, coming from a respected family in Stratford, was building his career as a playwright in London when he married Anne. The disparity in their social status may have been seen as unusual, especially since Shakespeare would later achieve fame and wealth.
The Marriage’s Legacy
Despite the initial controversy, Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway’s marriage lasted until Shakespeare’s death in 1616. They had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Tragically, Hamnet died at the age of 11, but Susanna and Judith survived into adulthood.
While their marriage was seen as unconventional, Shakespeare’s personal life did not overshadow his literary achievements. His works, including plays, sonnets, and poems, have made him a lasting figure in world literature.
Speculation About Their Relationship
Over the years, scholars have speculated about the nature of Shakespeare’s relationship with Anne Hathaway. Some believe that their marriage may have been more of a pragmatic arrangement rather than a romantic one, given their circumstances. Others argue that Shakespeare’s work, particularly his sonnets, reveals a deep emotional complexity and may hint at his feelings toward his wife, though interpretations vary.
There has been much speculation about whether Shakespeare had affairs or relationships outside his marriage, particularly given his portrayal of romantic relationships in his plays. Some scholars even speculate that the “Dark Lady” mentioned in his sonnets could have been a lover, possibly someone other than Anne. However, there is no definitive evidence to support these claims, and much of the speculation about Shakespeare’s private life remains just that—speculation.