William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's preeminent dramatist. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, he spent much of his career in London, where he was a shareholder in the famous Globe Theatre. Often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon," Shakespeare produced an extraordinary body of work, including approximately 38 plays and 154 sonnets.

His plays are traditionally divided into tragedies, comedies, and histories. His greatest tragedies—Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth—explore profound themes of ambition, jealousy, madness, and mortality. His romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet remains one of the most celebrated love stories ever written. Among his comedies, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Tempest showcase his wit and imagination, while history plays such as Henry V chronicle England's royal past.

Shakespeare's works have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. His inventive use of language enriched English with countless words and expressions still used today, securing his enduring legacy as a towering figure in world literature.