William Shakespeare, the renowned 16th century English playwright and poet, is widely considered the greatest writer in the English language. He wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets over the course of his career from 1564 to 1616 in Stratford-on-Avon, England, including renowned tragedies such as Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar, as well as comedies and histories. During Shakespeare's time, all roles in plays, including female roles, were performed solely by male actors and young boys.