William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is known as the greatest dramatist the world has ever known,

the finest poet who wrote in the English language, and the world's most popular author. His
poetry and plays remain in print today in numerous languages and his dramatic works continue
to be performed around the world.
 
People analyze Shakespeare's life and works to understand his long-lasting and broad appeal.
Many Shakespeare scholars credit his continued appeal and fame to two related characteristics;
his deep understanding of human nature and a broad knowledge base that encompassed varied
interests and fields of study. Both of these attributes contributed to his development of vivid and
varied characters from many walks of life and his creative use of language. Shakespeare's
knowledge included music, law, the Bible, military science, politics, the sea, history, hunting,
woodcraft, sports, and theater. In his literary works, he wrote of Kings, drunkards, generals,
pickpockets, shepherds, hired killers and thugs, and philosophers. His understanding of people
and their nature enabled him to create dramatic characters whose struggles and often failures
extended beyond the setting of his plays.
Although Shakespeare has died more than four hundred years ago he is still very
famous around the world today.

Shakespeare may be measured by many tests; but this measurement can only be done, finally, by each
reader for himself. It is only by letting the characters speak to you that the real Shakespeare can be
revealed. In his plays you may see what he admired, what he laughed at, what he loved and handled
tenderly. What did he like in women? Not only beauty and modesty, like all poets, but the clear brain of a
Portia, the gay spirits of a Rosalind, the womanly dignity and kindness of Olivia; women who were not
squeamish or clinging, but courageous and gallant. His heroes are men of character, though often beset
by some demon which temporarily perverts them; they are not cads or rakes. Sincerity, faithfulness in
friendship, dependability, loyalty--these are the qualities which he constantly elevates, and whose
infringement he punishes. He scoffs merrily at conceit, bombast, vanity, and worldly folly. What emerges
more and more, as one reads and thinks, is the wisdom and knowledge of the man combined with his gift
of poetry. These qualities have lifted him into eminence. He could make words mean more than they
logically mean, and express such commonplace emotions as young love, sorrow, despair, and ambition,
in a radiant kind of language so that these experiences seem not commonplace, but the very essence of
romance, adventure, pathos.

Overall, Shakespeare made a giant dent in the history of literature, and this dent is still the largest of any man or woman of the English language.