Amazon.com description: Product Description: William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) is the most influential writer in English history. Shakespeare has been called The Barb of Avon and England's national poet. There are 2 narrative poems, 154 sonnets and 38 plays in his collected works. He began work as an actor and writer in London first writing comedies and historic plays. He later wrote tragedies. Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Othello are some of his more famous plays. Antony and Cleopatra is a love story, military story and a wonderful glimpse into life in ancient times. Antony, Cleoparte and Julius Caesar are three powerful people caught up in events that will shape the world.