Anne Hathaway William Shakespeare's wife. Little information about her has reached us. Country: Great Britain

1. Anne Hathaway Biography
2. The Controversies

Anne Hathaway Biography

Anne Hathaway, also known as Anne Shakespeare, was the wife of William Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright and poet. Born in Shottery, near Stratford, little is known about her early life. While there is a museum called "Anne Hathaway's Cottage" in Stratford, which claims to be her birthplace and childhood home, this legend may be of a later origin.

Anne and William got married in November 1582 when he was 18 years old, and she was 26. At the time of their marriage, Anne was pregnant with their first daughter, Susanna, who was born in 1583. In 1585, Anne gave birth to twins, Hamnet and Judith. Sadly, Hamnet passed away at the age of 11 in 1596, but both daughters outlived their father, as did Anne herself.

During the years from 1586 to 1613, Shakespeare lived in London, while Anne remained in Stratford. It was only in the last three years of his life that they were together again. In his will, Shakespeare famously left Anne his "second-best bed with all its furnishings." Anne Hathaway lived as a widow for seven years and passed away on August 6, 1623.

The Controversies

There are several speculations and controversies surrounding Anne Hathaway's life. For example, some suggest that the surname "Hathaway" is playfully hidden in Shakespeare's Sonnet 145, specifically in the line "I hate" from hate away she threw. This theory also proposes that "And saved" should be read as "Anne saved." However, the overall authenticity of this interpretation remains uncertain.

Another controversial aspect is the circumstances of William and Anne's marriage. Some believe that Shakespeare may have seduced an older woman and was coerced into marriage due to potential repercussions from her family. On the other hand, some argue that Anne was of loose morals and seduced the young Shakespeare, eventually forcing him into marriage when she became pregnant. However, there is no concrete evidence to support either of these theories.

The significance of the "second-best bed" bequeathed to Anne in Shakespeare's will has also been subject to debate. While some interpret it as an insult or a form of disrespect towards Anne, others argue that it was a meaningful gesture. Historians have pointed out that the best bed in a household was typically reserved for guests, and the bequest of their marital bed could have held sentimental value for Anne. Additionally, as a widow, she was entitled to a third of the inheritance by law, and both of their daughters were married and able to support her.

In the absence of substantial historical records, many of the gaps in Anne Hathaway's biography have been filled by historical novelists. This is true not only for Anne but also for William Shakespeare's relatively poorly documented life as a whole.