Dead or alive, the most well-known writer of all is probably William Shakespeare. Born in 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, in England, Shakespeare produced works that include nearly 40 plays, and over 150 poems known as sonnets. Now, almost 400 years after his death (in 1616), someone or other is performing a Shakespearean play or reciting some of his poetry nearly every day of the year. His fame is not limited to English-speaking countries: he is acknowledged around the world as a giant of world literature. What is it about Shakespeare that attracts so many people to his work?

One answer is that he knew how to entertain an audience. He was never a consciously “artistic” writer. He wrote to earn a living. His audience consisted of people from all walks of life, from the highest to the lowest, and he tried to entertain them with stories that included both tragedy and comedy in all its human forms. Those plays continue to entertain us today.

Another answer is that he was a master of words. His poetry includes some of the most beautiful lines ever written in English, and many of his expressions have become famous quotes―“To be or not to be,” for example. He also invented many words that are in everyday use today. They include words such as “bedroom,” “hint,” “love letter,” “manager,” and “traditional.”