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Shakespeare Biography: His Life and TimesWilliam 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. 
Featured EssayOphelia's Dilemma in HamletAlthough 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. 
Quotations
Check out the most familiar quotes from Shakespeare's plays. 
Glossaries
View a list of glossaries providing definitions for unfamiliar words and phrases in Shakespeare's works. 
Filmography
View a list of the most noteworthy Shakespeare films. 
Essays
Check out a sampling of essays from CliffsNotes.com that illuminate Shakespeare's works.
Cliff is in the know when it comes to Shakespeare! 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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