William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and one of the most influential dramatists in world literature. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare produced a remarkable body of work that includes tragedies such as Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear, comedies such as A Midsummer Night's Dream, and historical dramas depicting the lives of English monarchs. His plays continue to be performed, studied, and adapted throughout the world.
