William Shakespeare
- Born:
- April 26, 1564 (Baptized), 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 local politician, and Mary Arden.
- Likely attended Stratford Grammar School, where he studied Latin grammar, literature, and rhetoric.
- Limited documented formal education beyond grammar school.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his career as an actor and playwright in London by the early 1590s.
- Became a shareholder and playwright for the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men.
- Wrote approximately 39 plays, including tragedies, comedies, histories, and romances.
- Co-owned the Globe Theatre, a prominent playhouse in London.
Notable Works
Plays
| Genre | Title |
|---|---|
| Tragedy | Hamlet |
| Tragedy | Othello |
| Tragedy | King Lear |
| Tragedy | Macbeth |
| Comedy | A Midsummer Night's Dream |
| Comedy | Twelfth Night |
| History | Richard III |
| Romance | The Tempest |
Poetry
- 154 Sonnets
- Narrative poems: Venus and Adonis, The Rape of Lucrece
Legacy and Impact
William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest 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. An understanding of the influence of Shakespeare's works on language, literature, and theater informs much of the commentary on his work, including analyses such as that within 'sachi sri kantha biography of william shakespeare' which contextualizes his cultural impact.