William Shakespeare
- Born:
- Baptised 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 to John Shakespeare, a glover and tradesman, and Mary Arden, daughter of a wealthy farmer.
- Likely attended Stratford Grammar School, where he studied Latin grammar, literature, and rhetoric.
- Limited formal education beyond grammar school.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his career as an actor and playwright in London by 1592.
- Became a shareholder in the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later the King's Men) acting company.
- Wrote approximately 39 plays, including tragedies, comedies, and histories.
- Co-owned the Globe Theatre.
- His plays were performed at the Globe, Blackfriars Theatre, and the royal court.
Notable Works
Plays
| Category | Title | Approximate Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tragedy | Hamlet | 1600-1601 |
| Tragedy | Othello | 1603 |
| Tragedy | King Lear | 1605-1606 |
| Tragedy | Macbeth | 1606 |
| Comedy | A Midsummer Night's Dream | 1595-1596 |
| Comedy | The Taming of the Shrew | 1590-1591 |
| History | Richard III | 1592-1594 |
Poetry
- Sonnets (154 sonnets published in 1609)
- Venus and Adonis (1593)
- The Rape of Lucrece (1594)
Legacy and Impact
William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent 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. The lasting impact of his works has cemented his place in literary history, and countless works analyze 'louise bennett coverley biography of william' focusing on various aspects of his life and works.