Shakespeare the Greatest Writer in the World Literature

William Shakespeare (1564-1616), considered the greatest writer in world literature,  was born and brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. He received only basic school education.  When Shakespeare was barely 18, he married Anne Hathaway, 26, a woman 8 years older than him.  Anne gave birth to a daughter, Susanna, 6 months after their marriage and they had twins Hamnet and Judith, 2 years later.  Unfortunately, one of the twins Hamnet died at the age of 11.

Shakespeare’s Lost Years Theory

The years between 1585 and 1592 in the life of Shakespeare is considered as lost years as there are very few historical traces of his life until 1592.  His career as an actor and writer began to shape up after 1592 and he became successful.   He was one of the owners and a leading player in a drama company “Lord Chamberlain’s Men”, which became one of the leading drama companies in London.  In the year 1599, Shakespeare and some of the partners of the drama company built their own theatre which they named the Globe. In 1603, the company was awarded a royal patent by the new king, James I, and they changed its name to “The King’s Men”.  Then in 1608, Shakespeare and his partners also took over the Blackfriars indoor theatre. These property purchases and investments made Shakespeare a wealthy man.  He retired to Stratford somewhere around 1613 at the age of 49, where three years later he died at the young age of 52.

Brief Summary of Shakespeare’s Life and Works

Given his immense contribution to English Literature, no wonder Shakespeare is called the national poet of England.  He is also called the Bard of Avon. His earliest plays dating from the late 1580s to the mid-1590s consists mainly of historical plays based on the lives of the English kings, Comedies and tragedies like Romeo and Juliet.  From 1596 onwards till 1600, Shakespeare wrote mostly comedies, and from 1600 to 1607, wrote great tragedies like Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear, which are classics of English Literature.  This period in his life marked the summit as far as his work and art were considered.   In later years he wrote fantastical romances like The Winter’s Tale and The Tempest which are also considered the greatest works of English Literature.   Shakespeare had a distinctive style of writing and his plays were largely in iambic pentameter verse.   His plays are marked by extraordinary use of poetry, which are vivid, subtle, and complex characterizations.

Complete Work of Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s entire work consists of about 39 plays, 154 sonnets, a few verses, and two long narrative poems.  He also collaborated with other playwrights and his last three plays were collaborations.   He is the greatest write in English literature and no wonder his plays have been translated into almost all major languages.  His plays have also been performed more than any of the play writers.

Here we bring the top 21 Famous William Shakespeare Quotes