26 April 1564; died 23 April 1616) was an English
poet
and playwright
, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language
and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". His surviving works, including some collaborations
, consist of about 38 plays
, 154 sonnets
, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon
.
1582 In Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway pay a £40 bond for their marriage license.
1597 William Shakespeare's ''The Merry Wives of Windsor'' is first performed, with Queen Elizabeth I in attendance.
1604 William Shakespeare's tragedy ''Othello'' is presented for the first time, at Whitehall Palace in London.
1978 Censorship: the People's Republic of China lifts a ban on works by Aristotle, Shakespeare and Dickens.
Time's glory is to command contending kings, To unmask falsehood, and bring truth to light.
On a day—alack the day!—Love, whose month is ever May,Spied a blossom passing fairPlaying in the wanton air
Crabbed age and youth cannot live together:Youth is full of pleasure, age is full of care
I gyve unto my wief my second best bed with the furniture (Modern spelling: I give unto my wife my second best bed with the furniture.)
Good frend for Jesus sake forbeare/To digg the dust encloased heare/Blese be the man that spares these stones/And curst be he that moves my bones (Modern spelling: Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear, to dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones.)