William Shakespeare
- Born:
- Baptized April 26, 1564, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England
- Died:
- April 23, 1616, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England
- Nationality:
- English
- Profession(s):
- Playwright, Poet, Actor
Early Life and Education
- Born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Likely attended the King Edward VI Grammar School in Stratford.
- Married Anne Hathaway in 1582.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his theatrical career in London by the early 1590s.
- Became a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men.
- Wrote approximately 39 plays, including tragedies, comedies, and histories.
- Co-owner of the Globe Theatre.
Notable Works
Plays
| Category | Title |
|---|---|
| Tragedies | Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet |
| Comedies | A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing |
| Histories | Richard III, Henry IV, Part 1, Henry V |
Poetry
- Published 154 sonnets.
- Wrote narrative poems, including Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece.
Legacy and Impact
William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are constantly studied, performed, and reinterpreted in diverse cultural and political contexts throughout the world.