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Shakespeare Biography: His Life and Times

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is considered to be the greatest writer in the history of English literature. His genius produced the world's most-often produced and published plays , including Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, King Lear, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and more than 32 others.
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Featured Essay

Ophelia's Dilemma in Hamlet

Although Gertrude says the branch broke and swept Ophelia down the river, the church denies her a full Christian burial on the grounds that she killed herself. Prevailing wisdom is that one of two things is at work here: Either an inconsistency in Shakespeare's writing, which is not uncommon — his other works are fraught with them, though Hamlet far less than most. Or Shakespeare decided to up the ante on Hamlet's guilt.
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Shakespeare: The Manga Edition

Graphically rich manga adaptations are a fun, contemporary way to enjoy classic text! Go

Shakespeare on the Double!

Read Shakespeare's original text side-by-side with a modern English translation. Go

Shakespeare Tools & Resources
Shakespeare Quotations
Quotations
Check out the most familiar quotes from Shakespeare's plays.
Shakespeare Glossary
Glossaries
View a list of glossaries providing definitions for unfamiliar words and phrases in Shakespeare's works.
Shakespeare Filmography
Filmography
View a list of the most noteworthy Shakespeare films.
Shakespeare Essays
Essays
Check out a sampling of essays from CliffsNotes.com that illuminate Shakespeare's works.
Ask Cliff about Shakespeare

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How does Shakespeare use light and darkness in Romeo and Juliet?

One of the most often repeated image patterns in Romeo and Juliet involves the interplay of light and darkness. For example, Romeo compares . . . More

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