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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    Hamlet

    What if avenging your father’s death meant unraveling your own soul? Prince Hamlet is consumed by grief—until a spectral revelation demands he confront a kingdom’s rot of betrayal and murder. As masks of sanity slip and blades glint in shadows, every choice bleeds into treachery, love, and the crushing weight of existence itself. But in a court where lies taste like truth, can vengeance ever heal—or will it devour the avenger alive?

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

    What if a single prophecy could unravel your soul? Macbeth, a noble warrior, grapples with this torment when a chilling prediction ignites a spiral of ambition and moral decay. As crowns are seized and alliances fracture, his conscience battles a hunger for power—but in a world where fate whispers and blood stains, can any victory outweigh the cost? Will you dare witness how far a man will fall before his own shadow devours him?

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