THESIS: In the play, "Hamlet", by William Shakespeare. the theme of this play is revenge.
             William Shakespeare was born in April, 1564 in Stratford, Warwickshire, about 100 miles northwest of London. According to the records of Stratford's Holy Trinity Church, he was baptized on April 26. Since it was customary to baptize infants within days of birth, and since Shakespeare died 52 years later on April 23, and--most significantly--since April 23 is St. George's day, the patron saint of England, it has become traditional to assign the birth day of England's most famous poet to April 23.
             Shakespeare's parents were John and Mary Shakespeare, who lived in Henley Street, Stratford. John, the son of Richard Shakespeare, was a whittawer (a maker, worker and seller of leather goods such as purses, belts and gloves) and a dealer in agricultural commodities. He was a solid, middle class citizen at the time of William's birth, and a man on the rise. He served in Stratford government successively as a member of the Council (1557), constable (1558), chamberlain (1561), alderman (1565) and finally high bailiff (1568)--the equivalent of town mayor. About 1577 John Shakespeare's fortunes began to decline for unknown reasons. There are records of debts. In 1586 he was replaced as alderman for slacking responsibilities, and in 1592 was reprimanded for not coming to church for fear of process of debt. Mary, the daughter of Robert Arden, had in all eight children with John Shakespeare. William was the third child and the first son.
             Shakespeare attended the Stratford grammar school now known as The King's New School. On November 28, 1582, the Bishop of Worcester issued the marriage bond for "William Shagspere" and "Ann Hathaway of Stratford." On May 26, 1583, their first daughter Susanna was baptized. Two years later, twins were born, named Hamnet and Judith, named after Hamnet and Judith Sadler, apparently lifetime friends to Shake...