William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor who is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. Often called England’s national poet, he is also known as the Bard of Avon or simply the Bard.

His extant works include approximately 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of which are of uncertain authorship. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, with his plays translated into every major living language and performed more often than those of any other playwright. His works continue to be studied and reinterpreted today.