William Shakespeare was a renowned English playwright and poet born in 1564. He wrote a total of 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems. His works delve into various themes such as love, betrayal, ambition, fate, and the complexities of human nature. Shakespeare's writing style is characterized by its poetic form and depth. He often employed iambic pentameter and blank verse to create rhythmic and elegant lines that capture complex emotions and ideas in beautiful and memorable language.