This document provides a biography of William Shakespeare and overview of his works. It notes that Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-Upon-Avon and died in 1616 in Stratford. His plays are categorized as tragedies, comedies, and histories. It also lists some of the main themes in Shakespeare's plays like racism, feminism, and mythology. Finally, it highlights five plays that will be covered - Othello, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, and The Winter's Tale - and lists some of the key themes in each play.