WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

William Shakespeare was a poet and a playwright. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, in central England, in 1564 and he died in 1616. He was the greatest writer in the English language and is known around the world. When William Shakespeare was 18 years old he married Anne Hathaway, and they had three children. Shakespeare went to London to work as an actor and a writer.

Here is a selection of Shakespeare’s plays.

The Merchant of Venice 

This play is about the idea that people usually get what they deserve in the end, good or bad. Antonio, a businessman, borrows money from Shylock. If he doesn’t pay back, Shylock will cut off a piece of his body. Antonio loses all his business and must pay this terrible price … but is saved by love.

Hamlet 

This play is about revenge and also about how difficult it is to take action sometimes, even when it is important. Hamlet’s father is murdered by another man, who then marries Hamlet’s mother. Everybody wants to see Hamlet dead. Hamlet must take revenge.

As You Like It 

This play is a comedy about romantic love. There is a battle between two evil brothers and two good brothers. They fall in love, women disguise themselves as men, and there are many jokes, songs and games. 

Henry V

This is a history play about a famous English king, and a famous battle, Agincourt. We watch the preparations for the battle, the fighting and the results.