William Shakespeare was a prolific English playwright, poet, and actor who wrote 37 plays across the genres of comedy, tragedy, romance, and history. As the father of English drama and the Bard of Avon, Shakespeare was a versatile personality who wrote plays and poems while also acting on stage. One of his most famous plays, A Midsummer Night's Dream, features dreams as a vital aspect and takes place in the middle of summer, as reflected in its title.