William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an influential English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language and a pre-eminent dramatist of all time. Born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, he was baptized three days later. Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway at the age of 18, and the couple had three children: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith. His early life remains somewhat obscure, with a period known as the “Lost Years” between 1585 and 1592 during which little is documented about his activities.
Shakespeare’s prolific career began in London around 1592, where he became a prominent member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a leading theatrical company that later became known as the King’s Men after King James I ascended to the throne. Over his lifetime, he authored approximately 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and several narrative poems. His works encompass a wide range of genres, including comedies like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, histories such as Henry V, and tragedies including Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. Shakespeare’s plays have been translated into every major language and are performed more frequently than those of any other playwright.
He retired to Stratford-upon-Avon around 1613 and passed away on April 23, 1616. Shakespeare’s legacy endures through his profound impact on literature and the arts; his works continue to be studied, adapted, and celebrated worldwide, solidifying his status as a timeless figure in cultural history.

  • Literature, Arts
  • April 23, 1564
  • Male
  • 2
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    Macbeth

    In the shadowed halls of power, ambition festers like a poison, twisting noble hearts into instruments of betrayal and despair. Macbeth is a dark, relentless exploration of the corrosive hunger for control and the tragic cost of unchecked desire. As prophecy stirs a restless mind, the line between fate and free will blurs, forcing a king to confront the demons within—and the blood that stains the path to his throne. What becomes of a soul when the quest for greatness demands the sacrifice of conscience? This timeless tragedy invites readers to peer into the abyss where ambition and morality collide.

    • Originally Published: 1606
    • Publisher: Wordsworth Classics, 1992
    • Genre: Tragedy
    • Pages: 128
    • Book Type: Hardcopy
    • ISBN: 9781853260353
    • Access: Members
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    Hamlet

    In the shadowed halls of Elsinore, a prince wrestles with grief, betrayal, and the maddening question of justice—whether to act swiftly or be paralyzed by doubt. Hamlet unfolds as a profound exploration of conscience and revenge, where the line between appearance and reality blurs into a haunting dance of suspicion and despair. What price does one pay when the soul is torn between duty and doubt, action and reflection? This timeless tragedy probes the depths of human frailty and the elusive nature of truth, inviting readers to confront the paradox of inaction amid urgent turmoil.

    • Originally Published: 1623
    • Publisher: Wordsworth Classics, 1992
    • Genre: Tragedy, Shakespearean tragedy
    • Pages: 200
    • Book Type: Hardcopy
    • ISBN: 9781853260094
    • Access: Members