2. Influence and Importance William Shakespeare ranks as the most popular authors in the English language. In 2000 British citizens voted him the Man of the Millennium —the most important person since 1000 A.D. He is credited with 37 of the world’s most heralded pieces of drama and literature, including: –Romeo and Juliet –Julius Caesar –Hamlet –Othello –King Lear –Macbeth Give Shakespeare his due: he is the greatest writer of all time

3. Shakespeare’s Continuing Presence Shakespeare in His Time Shakespeare in Our Time Shakespeare presented his plays at inns, courtyards, royal palaces, private residences and playhouses such as Blackfriars and the Globe Theatre, built in 1599. Shakespeare’s plays continue to be produced even today. Over 250 film adaptations of his plays have been made. Shakespeare has been seen in current media from The Simpsons to modern adaptations of his works like Hamlet