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 pre-eminent dramatist. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, he produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. Over his career, Shakespeare wrote approximately 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and several narrative poems, displaying an unparalleled command of language, character, and dramatic structure.
Among his most famous works, Romeo and Juliet remains one of the most frequently performed and adapted plays in history. Shakespeare’s ability to capture the complexities of human emotion have ensured the play’s lasting impact. His Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and King Lear: these are unparrelleled treatments of ambition, morality, revenge, and power, and reveal Shakespeare’s keen insight into human nature and societal struggles.
Shakespeare’s coinages and phrases– “to be or not to be,” “all the world’s a stage,” and “parting is such sweet sorrow,” remain embedded in everyday speech. His plays have been reinterpreted across countless artistic mediums, from film and opera to modern novels and political discourse. More than four centuries after his death, Shakespeare’s works continue to be studied, performed, and celebrated worldwide, reaffirming his status as a timeless literary and dramatic genius.
