“Triumph, my Briton, you have someone to show, to whom all the stages of Europe owe homage. He had no age, but forever! These are words written by Ben Jonson, about the one and only William Shakespeare. As a poet and playwright, Shakespeare has long held the title of one of the greatest and most influential writers in history. His works have become widely known in countries around the world and have explored topics ranging from politics to sexuality. In the literary world, Shakespeare has had more influence than anyone. His works have influenced all types of art, from plays to novels to songs. He single-handedly expanded the English language, coining around 1,700 English words, ranging from common terms to bizarre expressions. But Shakespeare's impact on the world doesn't stop there. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay Born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England, on April 26, 1564, to a leather merchant and an heiress local landowner, Shakespeare was the third child in his family. Although few records of his childhood exist, he most likely attended a school where he received instruction in reading, writing, and the classics. Around 1594, Shakespeare joined a theatrical company known as the Lord Chamberlain's Men, where he later became managing partner and had his works published and sold. In 1597, 15 of his 37 plays were published and he began to establish himself as an artist. Despite his local fame and popularity, Shakespeare did not become known worldwide until after his death in 1616. Although his own political views and beliefs were unclear, Shakespeare had a great effect on many famous leaders and figures of the world. The Robben Island Bible, the copy of his complete works disguised as a Hindu text and smuggled into a prison, was marked by activists such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and others who drew inspiration from its passages. Shakespeare played a role in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. , since John Wilkes Booth was inspired by his own performance in “Julius Caesar” a few months earlier. Booth shot Lincoln in a theater, shouting "Sic Semper Tyrannis," a phrase uttered by Brutus in the 1864 production of "Julius Caesar." Booth became a veritable Brutus, taking the life of the nation's leader in an attempt to make a name for himself. Shakespeare was also involved in the civil rights movement through Paul Robeson, an African-American actor who performed "Othello" on Broadway. . After starring in the play, Robeson gained status and influence over his audience, sending the image of a strong African character and interracial acceptance to those who saw it. “'Othello' took away all kinds of fears, all feelings of limitation and all racial prejudice,” he told reporters. “'Othello' set me free. » Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Throughout his life, Shakespeare produced 40 plays, 150 sonnets, and countless poems. . His works depict a wide variety of human emotions, conflicts of the times, and controversial topics such as religion and sexuality. His influence spread beyond literature, beyond England, and reached the entire world, becoming an inspiration to those who brought about change long after his death. As a man considered the greatest writer in history, his works and morals..