William Shakespeare, widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights and poets in history, was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He was the eldest son of John Shakespeare, a glove-maker, and Mary Arden, the daughter of a prosperous farmer. The family lived on Henley Street, in a home now celebrated as Shakespeare’s Birthplace.?

At the age of 18, William married Agnes (Anne) Hathaway, who was from the nearby village of Shottery. Anne was 26 years old at the time, notably eight years older than William, and their marriage is believed to have been hastily arranged due to Anne’s pregnancy. Anne Hathaway spent much of her life in Stratford-upon-Avon, while William’s career drew him to London, but their marriage lasted until his death in 1616.?

The couple had three children. Their first child, Susanna, was born in May 1583, just six months after the wedding. In January 1585, twins Hamnet and Judith were born. Tragically, Hamnet died in 1596 at the age of 11, likely from the plague. Susanna married Dr. John Hall, a respected physician, and had one daughter, Elizabeth, Shakespeare's only grandchild. Judith survived into adulthood and married Thomas Quiney, but none of Shakespeare’s direct descendants survived past the next generation.?

The film Hamnet reveals both the joys and losses of Shakespeare’s life outside of his literary legacy, including the close ties he maintained to his hometown and the enduring influence of his family background.