William Shakespeare is considered the greatest writer in the English
language, and one of the greatest in Western literature as a whole.
Much of his life is unknown, leading to many conspiracy theories
concerning his "nonexistence." Many of his plays, such as "Hamlet"
and "King Lear," are reworkings of existing stories. Although he is
most famous for his dramatic works, he also wrote a cycle of 154
sonnets and several longer epic poems. He died in 1616, and is buried
in his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon.
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