William Shakespeare lived a fascinating life during which he established quite a reputation for influence. Most of his life was devoted to his career as a writer and actor and his writings continue to play an important role even in today's culture. People wonder about his journey to becoming a playwright and what inspired him. It intrigues people how a man with only a simple high school education could write beautiful plays. He wrote various plays and poems and is considered one of the most renowned writers of all time. Shakespeare's influence has spread through the generations and his works are among the best known and most loved. Whether we have read his plays or not, his works are so widespread that we know them well. A Brief Look at the Life and Times of William Shakespeare “To be or not to be?, that is the question. » Many people may be familiar with this particular phrase, as it is something commonly heard in our lives. Whether or not it was covered in high school English class, it is still well known to people even if they have never read Hamlet. “His influence goes well beyond literature: it permeates our culture” (Hacht, 2006). William Shakespeare, perhaps one of the greatest playwrights in history, is a man known for his unique and powerful writing. The English playwright, poet and actor is generally recognized as the greatest of English writers and one of the most extraordinary creators in human history. His entire life was devoted to public theater. Nowadays, it seems that people have truly forgotten the “original art form” of using beautiful words and poetic devices. When I was still in high school, I took a Shakespeare class and ...... middle of paper ......GB (2003). Shakespeare, William. Retrieved April 8, 2011, from the Gale Virtual Reference Library database. Liukkonen, P. and Pesonen, A. (2008). William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616). Retrieved April 8, 2011 from http://kirjasto.sci.fi/shakespe.htmMabillard, A. (August 20, 2000). William Shakespeare of Stratford: Shakespeare as an actor. Retrieved April 8, 2011 from http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/shakespeareactor.htmlSutherland, J. and Hurstfield, J. (1964). Shakespeare's world. London: Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. Williams, C. and Chambers, S.E. (1933). A Short Life of Shakespeare with Sources. Great Britain: Oxford University Press. William Shakespeare (2004). Encyclopedia of World Biography, (Vol. 14). (2nd ed., pp. 142-145) Detroit: Gale Retrieved April 8, 2011 from the Gale Virtual Reference Library database.