William shakespeare was an english poet playwright and actor of the renaissance era he was an important member of the kings men company of theatrical players from roughly 1594 onward. William shakespeare was an english dramatist poet and actor considered by many to be the greatest dramatist of all time no writers living reputation can compare to that of shakespeare whose notable plays include the tragedies romeo and juliet hamlet king lear macbeth and othello he is known for his sonnets. Early years william shakespeare was born on 23 april 1564 on saint georges day and baptized three days later on 26 april his father john shakespeare was an alderman and a glove maker her mother mary arden was the daughter of a rich landowner family shakespeare lived in a townhouse on henley street stratford upon avon with his family his education began in a local school and there he