William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, on April 26, 1564, and he died on April 23, 1616. He lived to be 52 years old.¹⁾

His exact birthdate is not known, but it is traditionally celebrated on April 23, which is also the date of his death.²⁾

Shakespeare's parents were John Shakespeare, a glove-maker, and Mary Arden, the daughter of a wealthy landowner.³⁾

He had seven siblings, making him the third of eight children in the family.⁴⁾

Shakespeare's education was relatively basic, and it is believed that he attended the King's New School in Stratford, where he would have learned Latin and the classics.⁵⁾

He married Anne Hathaway when he was 18, and she was 26. They had three children: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith.⁶⁾

Hamnet, one of Shakespeare's twins, died at the age of 11, which some believe may have influenced Shakespeare's writing, particularly his exploration of themes related to grief and loss.⁷⁾

Shakespeare's early career in London is somewhat mysterious, but he was an actor and playwright by the early 1590s.⁸⁾

He was one of the founding members of the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a theater company that later became the King's Men when King James I took the throne.⁹⁾

Shakespeare wrote at least 38 plays, including famous works like “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Macbeth.”¹⁰⁾

He is also known for his 154 sonnets, which are among the most famous poems in the English language.¹¹⁾

Shakespeare's works have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.¹²⁾

The “First Folio,” a collection of Shakespeare's plays, was published in 1623, seven years after his death. Without it, many of his works might have been lost to history.¹³⁾

Shakespeare is often credited with introducing more than 1,700 words to the English language, including “eyeball,” “bedroom,” and “swagger.”¹⁴⁾

His plays are divided into three genres: tragedies, comedies, and histories.¹⁵⁾

Some of his most famous tragedies include “Hamlet,” “Othello,” “King Lear,” and “Macbeth.”¹⁶⁾

Shakespeare's comedies include “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” “Twelfth Night,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” and “As You Like It.”¹⁷⁾

His history plays, such as “Henry IV,” “Henry V,” and “Richard III,” depict the historical events of England.¹⁸⁾

Shakespeare's works often explore themes such as love, jealousy, ambition, power, and the human condition.¹⁹⁾

He frequently used iambic pentameter in his writing, a poetic meter consisting of ten syllables per line with alternating stresses.²⁰⁾

Shakespeare's works are known for their rich and memorable characters, including Hamlet, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Juliet, and Romeo.²¹⁾

His play “Hamlet” contains the famous soliloquy that begins with the words “To be or not to be.”²²⁾

Shakespeare's plays were performed at the Globe Theatre in London, which he was part-owner of.²³⁾

The Globe Theatre was open-air, and audiences could number in the thousands. It was rebuilt in 1997 and is still used for performances today.²⁴⁾

Shakespeare's plays were not originally published as books but as cheap pamphlets called “quartos.”²⁵⁾

The original Globe Theatre burned down in 1613 during a performance of “Henry VIII” when a cannon misfired.²⁶⁾

Shakespeare often used the Elizabethan stage convention of having all male actors, including those playing female roles.²⁷⁾

He was known to collaborate with other playwrights on occasion, such as John Fletcher.²⁸⁾

Shakespeare's works have been adapted into countless films, operas, ballets, and other art forms.²⁹⁾

He was likely inspired by the works of classical authors like Ovid, Plutarch, and Seneca.³⁰⁾

Shakespeare's writing style evolved over time, with his earlier works being more poetic and his later works more focused on character development.³¹⁾

He is sometimes referred to as the “Bard of Avon” or simply “The Bard.”³²⁾

Shakespeare's popularity has led to numerous conspiracy theories about the true authorship of his works, with some suggesting that he did not write them himself.³³⁾

He is one of the most quoted writers in the English language.³⁴⁾

The “Shakespearean Insult Kit” allows people to create creative insults using Shakespearean language.³⁵⁾

There are several theories about the appearance of Shakespeare, but no verified portraits exist from his lifetime.³⁶⁾

Shakespeare's impact on the English language is so significant that his works are often used to study the evolution of the language over time.³⁷⁾

The annual Shakespeare's Birthday Celebrations in Stratford-upon-Avon are held on or near April 23 to honor his legacy.³⁸⁾

Shakespeare's plays have been set in various time periods and locations, showcasing their adaptability and enduring relevance.³⁹⁾

His work has inspired numerous adaptations, including modern retellings of his plays in diverse settings, such as high schools, gang warfare, and even outer space.⁴⁰⁾

The Shakespearean Globe Centre New Zealand annually hosts the University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival, a nationwide student drama festival dedicated to Shakespeare.⁴¹⁾

Shakespeare's influence extends to other forms of media, with numerous video games, novels, and TV series drawing inspiration from his works.⁴²⁾

His impact on the world of literature and theater is immeasurable, and his legacy continues to thrive in the 21st century.⁴³⁾

The Shakespearean sonnet, a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter, remains a popular poetic form.⁴⁴⁾

Despite the passage of centuries, Shakespeare's works continue to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide, making him one of the most enduring figures in literary history.⁴⁵⁾