William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in April 1564. The exact date of his birth is not recorded, but it is most often celebrated around the world on 23 April.
Shakespeare’s plays have shaped how generations view historical figures and events. Shakespeare was not a historian - he was a playwright whose goal was to entertain, and in doing so, he blurred the line between fact and fiction.
Rather than striving for accuracy, Shakespeare crafted compelling stories that emphasized drama, conflict, and human emotion. His Julius Caesar, for example, popularized the famous line “Et tu, Brute?”—a phrase Caesar never actually said but one that has come to define betrayal in many conversations. Also, his depiction of Richard III as a villainous hunchback has influenced perceptions of the king for centuries, despite historical evidence suggesting a more complex reality.
Nevertheless, Shakespeare skillfully combined history and drama to captivate audiences, much like contemporary media, where artistic license often shapes the portrayal of real events.
In other words, we and our heirs shall evermore adore the Bard, whose quill doth weave time’s immortal verse.
Hamlet. Shakespeare's longest play - the ghost of the King of Denmark tells his son Hamlet to avenge his murder by killing the new king, Hamlet's uncle.
Julius Caesar. Jealous conspirators convince Caesar's friend Brutus to join their assassination plot against Caesar. To stop Caesar from gaining too much power, Brutus and the conspirators kill him on the Ides of March. Mark Antony drives the conspirators out of Rome and fights them in a battle.
King Lear. The gradual descent into madness of the King Lear, after he disposes of his kingdom giving bequests to two of his three daughters based on their flattery of him, bringing tragic consequences for all.
Macbeth. Macbeth receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to violence by his wife, Macbeth murders the king and takes the Scottish throne for himself.
The Merchant of Venice. A merchant called Antonio and a moneylender called Shylock. Antonio takes out a loan from Shylock on the condition that, if he cannot pay him back, he has to give him a pound of his flesh.
Romeo and Juliet. A young boy and girl meet by chance and fall instantly in love. But their families are bitter enemies, and in order to be together the two lovers must be prepared to risk everything.
The Twelfth Night. A romantic comedy with several interwoven plots of romance, mistaken identities and practical jokes. Separated from her twin brother Sebastian in a shipwreck, Viola disguises herself as a boy, calls herself Cesario, and becomes a servant to the Duke Orsino.