William Shakespeare (1564–1616), widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, was a playwright and poet who created 37 plays and 154 sonnets. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, he moved to London to pursue theater and became the leading playwright of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. His masterpieces include Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, and A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Shakespeare's contribution to the English language is unmatched—he coined over 1,700 words and countless phrases still in everyday use, from 'to be or not to be' to 'all the world's a stage.' His profound exploration of human psychology laid the foundations for modern drama and fiction. His universal themes of love, power, jealousy, and ambition transcend time and culture, making his works the most performed plays in the world, translated into every major language and continuously reinterpreted for new generations.
