William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is one of the greatest playwrights and poets in the history of literature, often referred to as "the Bard of Stratford" or "the greatest poet of the English language." He was born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, the son of John Shakespeare, a local craftsman and public official, and Mary Arden, who came from a noble family. His life and works have become an integral part of the global literary canon.

Shakespeare left behind an extraordinarily rich literary legacy, including 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and several epic poems. His works are typically divided into three main genres: tragedies (Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear), comedies (A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing), and historical chronicles (Henry V, Richard III).

Shakespeare's works stand out for their profound understanding of human nature, masterful use of language, and universal themes such as love, power, ambition, revenge, and morality. His characters are remarkably complex and realistic, making his works timeless and continually relevant.

Relatively little is known about Shakespeare's life, leading to numerous speculations about his persona. In 1582, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith. Between 1590 and 1613, he worked as a playwright and actor in London, collaborating with the theatrical company Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later The King’s Men). In 1599, this group built the famous Globe Theatre, where many of Shakespeare's plays were performed.

In 1613, Shakespeare retired from public life and returned to Stratford, where he died on April 23, 1616.