William Shakespeare, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the history of the English language, is a figure whose life and works have captivated scholars for centuries. While much attention has been paid to the life of Shakespeare himself, particularly his career as a playwright and poet, the lives of those around him, especially his family, also offer valuable insight into his background and influences. One such figure is his father, John Shakespeare, whose work and social standing were pivotal in shaping the environment in which William grew up.
While John Shakespeare is perhaps most often mentioned in biographical accounts of Shakespeare’s life, much of his story remains speculative. The specific details about his occupation, his rise and fall in social standing, and his role in the family are subjects of ongoing debate among scholars. Nonetheless, understanding what Shakespeare’s father did for a living provides crucial context for understanding the younger Shakespeare’s upbringing, his family dynamics, and even aspects of his writing.
This article will explore John Shakespeare’s life and work, examining his career as a glover, his political involvement, and his fluctuating fortunes. It will also discuss how his profession and status influenced his son’s life, writing, and legacy, providing a broader understanding of the environment in which Shakespeare was raised.
John Shakespeare’s Occupation: A Glover and Merchant
The most well-documented aspect of John Shakespeare’s profession is his work as a glover. A glover was a person who made and sold gloves, typically out of leather, and it was a common trade in Elizabethan England. Gloves were essential items in daily life, not just for warmth, but also as fashion accessories, symbols of wealth, and even as gifts. The glove-making industry was widespread, and in Stratford-upon-Avon, where John Shakespeare lived, it was a prominent trade.
John Shakespeare’s work as a glover was not limited to making gloves; he was also involved in the sale of other leather goods. Leather was used for various products, including belts, shoes, and saddles, and John would have had to manage both the production and trade of these items. His involvement in this business would have placed him within the middle class of Stratford-upon-Avon, affording him a decent standard of living.
However, John Shakespeare’s life was not without its financial challenges. Throughout his life, there were periods when his fortunes rose and fell. At times, he was quite prosperous, enjoying a level of affluence that allowed him to send his children to school and secure positions in local government. At other times, his financial difficulties became apparent, and his standing in the community declined. Despite these fluctuations, he maintained a level of respectability as a skilled tradesman and merchant.
The Glover’s Craft and Its Role in Society
In Elizabethan England, the craft of glove-making was an important industry. Glovers were skilled artisans, and the gloves they produced were highly valued. The craft involved a detailed process that required expertise in tanning, stitching, and often intricate designs. John Shakespeare’s success as a glover likely involved him not only in the making of gloves but also in the trade of leather goods, which included selling his products in local markets and possibly to nearby towns and cities.
John Shakespeare’s occupation as a glover would have also connected him to other tradesmen and merchants in Stratford and surrounding areas. The local market in Stratford-upon-Avon, where John Shakespeare likely sold his wares, was a bustling hub of activity. It would have been a place where various goods—both food and manufactured items—were exchanged, and where social ties were formed. As a glover, John would have interacted with other tradesmen, artisans, and perhaps even wealthier landowners, depending on his level of success in business. These interactions would have shaped the social and professional environment in which William Shakespeare was raised.
The role of a glover was also somewhat symbolic of a wider economic trend in England during the Elizabethan period: the rise of the merchant class. The expanding economy and growing market for goods helped elevate certain trades and craftspeople into positions of relative power and influence. As a glover, John Shakespeare would have had a secure profession, though it was not as prestigious as some of the higher-status occupations, such as landowners or lawyers.
John Shakespeare’s Political Career and Social Status
In addition to his work as a glover, John Shakespeare’s life was marked by his involvement in local politics. During his life, he held several important civic positions in Stratford-upon-Avon. These roles were both an indication of his social standing and a reflection of the respect he commanded in the local community. His political career was an essential aspect of his identity and helped establish him as a figure of authority in Stratford.
Alderman and High Bailiff of Stratford
One of John Shakespeare’s most significant roles was that of Alderman, a position he held for several years. The Aldermen were local officials in charge of managing civic matters, such as overseeing public works, administering justice, and ensuring that laws were enforced within the town. This role would have placed John Shakespeare among the town’s most prominent citizens, and his influence as an Alderman would have been important both to his career and his reputation.
In 1568, John Shakespeare’s civic duties expanded when he was appointed High Bailiff, a position akin to the office of mayor in modern terms. As High Bailiff, he was responsible for maintaining law and order, supervising the town’s markets and trades, and ensuring the local government’s functions ran smoothly. This position was one of considerable prestige, and John Shakespeare’s appointment to this role demonstrated his ability to navigate the political and social landscape of Stratford.
Being High Bailiff would have also brought John Shakespeare into contact with other important individuals in the town and beyond, including landowners, members of the clergy, and wealthy merchants. These relationships may have played a role in influencing young William Shakespeare, giving him access to various social and intellectual circles. Shakespeare’s exposure to such figures, and to the political and legal world, may have contributed to the themes of power, justice, and leadership that appear frequently in his works.
Declining Social Status
Despite his success in local politics and business, John Shakespeare’s fortunes took a downturn in the later years of his life. In the 1570s and 1580s, there were signs that his financial and social standing began to decline. He became embroiled in legal disputes, particularly over unpaid debts and property issues, which reflected his declining wealth. His inability to pay his debts and his failure to maintain the prestige of his earlier years may have contributed to a loss of influence within the community.
Additionally, John Shakespeare’s fall from favor may have been related to his religious views. During the Elizabethan period, religious tensions between Catholics and Protestants were high, and adherence to either faith could significantly impact one’s social status. There are indications that John Shakespeare may have been sympathetic to Catholicism during a time when Protestantism was the official religion of England. His political and religious affiliations may have affected his relationship with local authorities and further contributed to his decline.
Despite these setbacks, John Shakespeare’s position as a respected glover and civic official would have allowed him to maintain some measure of influence within Stratford. His struggles, however, were not insignificant, and they would have likely impacted the family, including his son William, who may have witnessed the ups and downs of his father’s career and life.
The Influence of John Shakespeare on His Son
While John Shakespeare’s professional and political life was marked by both success and hardship, his influence on his son William was profound. Growing up in a household where business, trade, and local politics were central to the family’s identity, William Shakespeare was exposed to a wide range of experiences that would later appear in his works.
Shakespeare’s Early Exposure to Commerce and Politics
The Shakespeare family’s involvement in commerce and politics would have given William a unique perspective on the functioning of society. The family’s position as middle-class traders and political figures would have provided William with an early understanding of social hierarchies, the mechanics of governance, and the challenges of maintaining wealth and status. These themes are often reflected in Shakespeare’s plays, where issues of power, politics, and social mobility are explored in depth.
In addition to witnessing his father’s career, Shakespeare’s involvement in Stratford’s social and political life would have exposed him to the world of public speeches, legal matters, and public affairs. Many of Shakespeare’s plays, particularly those set in the world of kings and queens, deal with themes of authority, governance, and law. It is likely that his exposure to the civic responsibilities of his father, particularly his time as High Bailiff, influenced Shakespeare’s understanding of these concepts.
The Role of Family and Social Status in Shakespeare’s Works
John Shakespeare’s social standing and career also played a role in shaping the themes of family dynamics that appear throughout Shakespeare’s works. Shakespeare often explores the complexities of father-son relationships, family legacies, and the tension between ambition and loyalty—issues that he may have been exposed to firsthand in his own family’s experiences.
Shakespeare’s portrayal of social mobility, wealth, and status in his plays, particularly in works such as King Lear, Macbeth, and Hamlet, may have been influenced by his father’s rise and fall in status. His depiction of family loyalty, inheritance, and the consequences of failure within a family unit also reflects the struggles that the Shakespeare family faced in their own lives.
Conclusion
John Shakespeare’s career as a glover and his involvement in local politics were central to his identity and his family’s standing in the community. While his fortunes fluctuated throughout his life, his work in commerce and public office placed him in a position of respectability and influence in Stratford-upon-Avon. His role as a glover provided a stable livelihood, while his position as Alderman and High Bailiff brought him into contact with influential figures in society.
The complex nature of John Shakespeare’s life and career undoubtedly had a profound impact on his son, William. Shakespeare’s exposure to his father’s professional life and the social dynamics of Elizabethan England shaped his worldview and provided inspiration for many of the themes in his plays. From the rise and fall of fortunes to the intricacies of governance and family, the lessons William Shakespeare learned from his father’s life echo throughout his body of work, further cementing the importance of John Shakespeare’s role in the great playwright’s legacy.
