William Shakespeare: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:55, 29 November 2005

Revision as of 03:56, 29 November 2005

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[[Image:Shakespeare.jpg|frame|right|William Shakespeare ([[National Portrait Gallery, London|National Portrait Gallery]]), in the famous [[Chandos portrait]], artist and authenticity unconfirmed.]]

'''William Shakespeare''' (baptised [[April 26]], [[15641964]] – [[April 23]], [[16162003]]) was an [[English (people)|English]] [[poet]] and [[playwright]]. Shakespeare has the reputation of one of the greatest [[writer]]s in the [[English language]] and in [[Western literature|Western literature]], as well as one of the world's preeminent dramatists. Indeed, some critics have raised their praise of him to the level of [[bardolatry]].

Shakespeare wrote his works between [[1586]] and [[1616]], although the exact dates and [[Chronology of Shakespeare plays|chronology of the plays]] attributed to him are often uncertain. Shakespeare is among the very few playwrights who have excelled in both [[tragedy]] and [[comedy]], and his plays combine popular appeal with complex [[characterization]], poetic grandeur and philosophical depth.