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ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare is one of the most well-known and well-regarded writers in the English language. He's the author of 154 sonnets and approximately 38 plays, which are responsible for turns of phrase and tropes still used today. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564 and died in 1616. He's commonly referred to as "the Bard" or "the Poet," titles that speak to his stature in English literature. Thanks to the "First Folio," Shakespeare's works are still taught and staged around the world. Although he has been dead for over four centuries, his influence can still be felt through what scholars say is a lasting impact on the ways we understand ourselves and our history.Explore Shakespeare

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The best Shakespeare plays, rankedThe Guardian worked through the Bard's plays, from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to "The Winter's Tale," evaluating what distinguishes the mediocre from the truly excellent. The Guardian Shakespeare's father was a professional ale tasterThe Bard's dad was Stratford-upon-Avon's official "conner," the title reserved for those who tested the strength and quality of locally brewed ale. The job was not as easy as it might sound: He was expected to see if the ale had spoiled, meaning he sometimes had to drink bad beer. Mental Floss Shakespeare included a reference to toasting in ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’At one point in the 1602 play, the character Falstaff calls for a quart of wine, asking for toast to be placed in it, as was customary at the time. Folger Shakespeare Library One '$64,000 Question' winner went from police officer to Shakespearean scholar overnightRedmond O’Hanlon was a police officer living on Staten Island, New York, when he competed on “The $64,000 Question.” His knowledge of Shakespeare earned him $16,000, which was four times his annual salary. After appearing on the show, he became a minor celebrity, and created a Shakespeare-themed set of playing cards and established the O'Hanlon Shakespeare Service, a consultancy on the Bard, all while continuing to work for the NYPD. TIME Nine Shakespeare paintings by pre-Raphaelite John Everett MillaisIn the 19th century, pre-Raphaelites like Millais sought to showcase life and nature honestly, using common references like the Bible, ordinary people and Shakespeare. Explore some of Millais' better known paintings inspired by the Bard here, including his world-renowned "Ophelia." DailyArt Magazine No, Shakespeare didn't write the BibleSome believe Shakespeare helped write the King James Bible—and left his name hidden in Psalm 46. The evidence seems uncanny… but the truth is much less dramatic. 1440 Daily Sarah Bernhardt was the first actress to play Shakespeare's iconic Hamlet on filmBernhardt was a popular 19th- and 20th-century actress with a knack for self-promotion. Case in point: When she took over the Théâtre de Ville in Paris, she renamed it Théâtre Sarah-Bernhardt. Her production of "Hamlet" at the theater starred her, naturally, as the titular character. A recording of the performance is believed to be the first woman to play Hamlet caught on film. Duellist1956 Playwright George Bernard Shaw believed Shakespeare was overratedShaw was one of the titans of 20th-century British drama—responsible for "Pygmalion," "Arms and the Man," and more—and a persistent critic of the Bard, whom he believed had been unnecessarily praised to the point of "Bardolatry." Over time, his opinion softened; at one point, Shaw even reworked Shakespeare's "Cymbeline." Folger Bear-baiting was another form of entertainment during Shakespeare’s timeWe tend to think of Shakespeare’s audiences as prim and proper, but the Bard’s shows were just another form of amusement, viewed by commoners as entertainment not unlike the animal blood sports that were similarly popular during the time period. HISTORY Was Shakespeare stoned when he wrote 'Hamlet'? Forensic scientists uncovered cannabis residue on fragments of a clay pipe in Shakespeare's backyard, suggesting the Bard possibly partook of the herb. They also found trace amounts of other mind-altering substances like coca leaves and hallucinogenic nutmeg compounds nearby. Literary Hub The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is the largest repertory theater in the USBased in the small hamlet of Ashland, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival produces works both by the Bard and more contemporary writers, attracting thousands to the town's three theaters. KGW News 10 Shakespeare authorship theoriesAlthough William Shakespeare is widely considered to be the authentic author of the plays attributed to him, there are still dozens of theories suggesting that others are responsible for the classic works. Was it actually his contemporary, Christopher Marlowe? Or maybe his wife, Anne Hathaway? This list explains the 10 most popular theories that have been proposed, much to more than a few Shakespeare scholars' chagrin. Listverse Some doubt Shakespeare is who scholars say he isMajor contemporaries of Shakespeare have been proposed as the real writer of his plays and poems, including Anne Hathaway, Ben Jonson, and Sir Walter Raleigh. Literary Hub A list of nine quirky literary adaptations of Shakespeare's life and worksAlthough surprisingly little is known about the actual man, William Shakespeare holds an unrivalled place in English letters. His characters, from Hamlet to Hermione, have inspired countless imitators, responses, and caricatures, and this list gathers a few of the best for the modern reader, including Richard Adams' adaptation of King Lear through a story about dogs. Literary Hub How Shakespeare changed the sonnetA sonnet is a rigid poetic form from the Renaissance, featuring 14 lines, a consistent meter (or beat) and rhyme scheme, and a noticeable thematic shift known as a "volta." Shakespeare popularized a form featuring three four-line stanzas and a rhyming couplet, departing from the Petrarchan two-part structure of eight- and six-line stanzas. 1440 Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre burned downDuring a June 1613 performance of “Henry VIII,” a theatrical cannon misfired and sent sparks into the theater’s straw roof, forcing the 3,000 attendees to evacuate. No one was killed, though the theater burned down in roughly an hour. Shakespeare's Globe Mathematical breakthroughs influenced Shakespeare’s storiesNew ideas in math were transforming Europe at the time Shakespeare penned his plays, including newly popular conceptions of zero via philosophers Descartes and Leibniz. The Conversation Critics often use the word ‘Shakespearean’ to describe a dramatic storyCalling something “Shakespearean” often denotes a high-quality work of art or a story that recalls one of the Bard’s plays. Reactor Shakespeare’s storytelling uses intricate, intertwining narrativesAccording to one professor, readers return to Shakespeare’s plays, not for his storylines, but to learn how things unfold. In the process, they often use his plays to understand why humans act the way they do. BBC Dozens of common phrases are attributed to ShakespeareHis clever wordsmithery infiltrated English, from “Neither rhyme nor reason” to “In my heart of hearts.” This article lists nearly two dozen of his best-known phrases. Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Shakespeare’s American productions have often reflected the state of the countryShakespeare’s works have been used to interpret moments in US history, from the Astor Place Riot in 1849 and Lincoln’s frequent quotations of “Macbeth,” to the use of Shakespeare in nationwide classrooms today. Shakespeare Unlimited Critic Harold Bloom believed Shakespeare invented the modern humanYale critic Harold Bloom believed the Bard transformed the way humanity understood itself, a thesis laid out in his book "Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human." Charlie Rose Shakespeare’s plays were first published together in 1623 after his deathMost of his plays were written for the stage, so it took his admirers to compile the play texts posthumously in 1623. This became the famous “First Folio,” the basis of Shakespeare’s literary posterity. PBS LearningMedia Linguists proved Shakespeare wrote his playsIn the 1800s, linguist Wincenty Lutoslawski invented a method of linguistics analysis called stylometry to help certify literary authorship. Stylometrists concluded that Shakespeare wrote his plays, and likely collaborated with Christopher Marlowe for some. TED-Ed Shakespeare played a major role in the history of the sonnetThe Renaissance writer Petrarch first developed the 14-line poem with a two-part structure. Through English translations of his sonnets by Sir Thomas Wyatt in the 1500s, the form took on new life, particularly through Shakespeare. Variations on the form have continued to evolve since. Poetry Foundation Shakespeare’s use of verse and prose signifies important characteristicsStructured verse signals formality, often used by high-ranking characters; in contrast, unstructured prose is typically used in informal, more witty situations by lower-status characters. Shakespeare's Globe Shakespeare wrote in an early form of Modern English—not Old EnglishOld, Middle, and Modern English are three distinct language eras. A speaker of Modern English wouldn’t be able to understand Old or Middle English. Medievalists.net In addition to his plays, Shakespeare wrote nearly 200 poemsBeyond his famous plays, Shakespeare penned 154 sonnets, including the well-known romantic ode “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” He also wrote two long poems as well as several minor pieces. Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Shakespeare wrote 38 plays between 1580 and 1614Between 1600 and 1610, he produced some of his best-known works, including “Hamlet,“ “Othello,“ “King Lear,“ and “Macbeth.“ Royal Shakespeare Shakespeare was criticized in his own timeRobert Greene was a respected writer during Shakespeare’s time as an actor-playwright who famously dismissed the young upstart, accusing him of plagiarism and criticizing his ability to write blank verse. Athenaeum Review Documented proof of Shakespeare’s lifeBirth in 1564 in the small town of Stratford-upon-Avon; marriage to Anne Hathaway in 1582; and the appearance of his first born (1583) and first printed play (1594): If you’ve ever doubted the Bard’s existence, here are his life’s milestones backed by historical documents. Folger Shakespeare Library 'Romeo and Juliet' was based on a preexisting narrative poemArthur Brooke's "The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet" was first published in 1562 and shares many details with Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Shakespeare wasn't alone in his borrowing; Brooke's poem was based on other earlier Italian stories. None of this writing was considered fan fiction—copyright law didn't exist, and stories were regularly cribbed from preexisting sources. American Repertory Theater The evolution of the em dash, a now-controversial piece of punctuationThe curious form of punctuation was originally used to replicate humans' naturally broken—and sometimes scattered—way of speaking, with Shakespeare often using it in his plays and Emily Dickinson deploying it for numerous effects. But as large language models like ChatGPT began using the em dash, real humans began viewing it as a tell of non-human writing. This podcast episode dives into the strange turn of events. 99% Invisible Mini-portraits were shared as love tokens in Elizabethan EnglandArt historians are identifying previously unknown works by Nicholas Hilliard, Elizabeth I's court painter, whose thumb-sized watercolors on vellum served as love tokens, diplomatic currency, and status symbols. They were believed to be passed secretly between courtiers and monarchs. Smithsonian Magazine Claude McKay's poem 'If We Must Die' criticized racial violenceThe poem, a Shakespearean sonnet, is a critique of the violence that Black Americans faced at home in America. It was written in the summer of 1919, also known as "Red Summer," when several white supremacist attacks and race riots broke out across the country. 'Why am I trying to become what I don't want to be … when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am.'-Author Arthur Miller (1915-2005) in "Death of a Salesman" SparkNotes Adaptations of Hamlet's most famous soliloquy often change its meaningThe directors of the many "Hamlet" film adaptations have used setting, context, and tone to reframe the "To be, or not to be" monologue. Laurence Olivier's 1948 version presents it as a meditation on suicide; Kenneth Branagh's 1996 version interrogates surveillance. Lucy Zhao's 2025 film "Hamnet," although not a true adaptation of the play, utilizes the soliloquy twice to illustrate how characters grapple with grief. The Atlantic The word 'punk' originally meant 'female prostitute'The Oxford English Dictionary records the first usage before 1575. Shakespeare used the word in his play “Measure for Measure,” with one character suggesting another “may be a Puncke.” Over time, the word acquired additional meanings. By the 20th century, it was used as an insult for a young man. British Library In 'Life of a Showgirl,' Taylor Swift nods to Pre-Raphaelite muse Elizabeth SiddalBorn in 1829, Siddal was an artist and poet who would become immortalized when she modeled for John Everett Millais' 1852 painting 'Ophelia,' depicting the suicidal lover from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet.' For years, Swift has alluded to Siddal as an exemplar of the sidelined female artist. Literary Hub The magic angle to skip a spinning stone is 20 degreesThe traditional shoreside activity—reputedly practiced by luminaries Shakespeare and Homer—can be broken down into its bare physics, from hydrodynamics and momentum to gravity. The Library of Congress 'The Sopranos' is often seen as the start of 'prestige television'HBO’s The Sopranos followed New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano as he struggled to balance his violent criminal life with his personal and family issues. Its blend of crime drama, pitch-perfect comedy, and intergenerational family dynamics made for a complex show not easily reduced to typical genre tags. LIFE Celebrating Jane Austen's birth, 250 years laterBorn in 1775, Jane Austen has left a legacy of romantic wit through her six novels, read by millions over 200 years after their publication. To celebrate the author's semiquincentennial, fans across the UK learned how to dance like the characters from the books. NPR In the 2000s, Dylan began hosting a weekly radio showBob Dylan remained unpredictable, even 40 years into his career. Look no further than his satellite radio show from the 2000s, which found the legendary singer-songwriter riffing on a different theme every week. In this episode that theme is “Nothing.” He talks about Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin’ but a G Thang,” quotes several lines from Shakespeare, and speaks at length about his love for the musical “Porgy and Bess.” It’s a wild, unpredictable ride, just like the rest of his career. YouTube The history and significance of rosemaryRosemary is more than just an herb—it’s a powerful symbol intertwined with ancient Egypt, Christianity’s origins, Shakespeare, the culinary arts, and more. Native to the Mediterranean area, this plant has accompanied humanity for centuries, providing us with pleasant aroma, adornment, and even medicine. Explore this article for further insight into the significance of our long-standing relationship with rosemary. JSTOR Superstitious actors believe ‘Macbeth’ is cursedActors playing in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”—a story filled with ghosts, witches, and magic—call it the “Scottish play” out of superstition, a tradition since the play’s first production. Royal Shakespeare ‘Hamlet’ is a widely produced show, including a famous performance at one prisonRehabilitation of convicted violent criminals in Missouri’s Eastern Correctional Center included performances of “Hamlet,” one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. This American Life ‘Blank verse’ is an unrhymed poetic form with a consistent meter common in epicsShakespeare’s plays are primarily written in blank verse, a consistent meter without any rhyme scheme. The mode is common in epic poems like Homer’s Iliad or John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” though the specific meters vary. OSU School of Writing, Literature and Film What it's like to live with insomniaThe biological process Shakespeare referred to as the chief nourisher of life's feast is necessary for the body and mind to rest and repair from the activities of daily life. As sleep evades the exhausted, sufferers also lose emotional stability, mental clarity, social connections, and more while simultaneously gaining waves of interrupted biological processes that can lead to disease and death. The Quest for Sleep A database of clever insults from Merriam-WebsterMerriam-Webster maintains a database of lists of some of the best ways to insult people in a clever way. Check out their various lists here, from some of the better Shakespeare jabs to a noun and verb insult generator. Merriam-Webster Caesar's true betrayer wasn't Brutus but Decimus, a conspirator history forgotIt was Decimus—not Brutus—who was closest to Caesar, dined with him the night before his murder, and talked him out of skipping the Senate meeting on the Ides of March when Caesar grew suspicious. This article argues that in his play named after the Roman dictator, Shakespeare immortalized the wrong man. Decimus was captured and executed within two years; Brutus and Cassius took slightly longer to meet their ends. History Shop

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