What was the life expectancy in Shakespeare's time?

Answer 1

William Shakespeare had a relatively tough life. London was a very busy, dirty city in his day. Unfortunately, because they did not have the technology to maintain sanitation for such a large city, the stench was overwhelming. Sewage drained down the gutters of the streets and was poured out of windows. Slaughterhouses piled their waste in yards behind their buildings where it rotted and bred rats and flies. It didn't help that personal hygene was also at its minimal standards. Some people in his day only bathed once every couple months, and that was if they were lucky. Shakespeare was able to support his family because he did not rely on his income as an actor and a playwright. He made most of his money from the profits of the theatre company. The life of an actor was tough but he would have been too busy to take on jobs on the side. It is speculated (without the slightest evidence) that Shakespeare spent his "Lost Years" employed as a sailor, a soldier, a gardener, a coachman or even a glover like his father. When the plague hit London, his financial situation weakened. During such periods the theatre companies went on tour of the provinces where the audiences were smaller and more uncertain, and the expenses more. This is why Shakespeare turned to writing poetry in the plague of 1593, because there was no acting work to be done during the closure of the theatres (due to disease).

Everyone in Shakespeare's time was in a rigid class structure and class mobility was hard. Shakespeare spent a lot of effort into getting a grant of arms for himself so he could call himself "gent". Religon also played a huge role in the daily lives of the people. Entertainment was focused around things such as cock-fighting, plays (once the theatres were reopened) and even public executions. Life was relatively tough for the Elizabethan people, but they definitely have made us who we are today.

Answer 2

In Shakespeare's time, life expectancy was around 35-40 years. However, this was heavily influenced by high infant mortality rates. If individuals survived childhood, they could expect to live into their 50s or 60s.

Answer 3

The life expectancy in Shakespeare's time was around about 30-40 years old as a lot of people died of the black plague ( a horrible disease).

Answer 4

William Shakespeare wrote 37 plays all together.