莎士比亚是英国文学史上最杰出的戏剧家，也是欧洲文艺复兴时期最重要、最伟大的作家，全世界最卓越的文学家之一。
莎士比亚的抒情诗篇一：
Some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness;
Some say thy grace is youth and gentle sport;
Both grace and faults are loved of more and less;
Thou makest faults graces that to thee resort.
As on the finger of a throned queen
The basest jewel will be well esteem'd,
So are those errors that in thee are seen
To truths translated and for true things deem'd.
How many lambs might the stem wolf betray,
If like a lamb he could his looks translate!
How many gazers mightst thou lead away,
If thou wouldst use the strength of all thy state!
But do not so; I love thee in such sort
As, thou being mine, mine is thy good report.
翻译：
有人说你的缺点在年少放荡;
有人说你的魅力在年少风流;
魅力和缺点都多少受人赞赏：
缺点变成添在魅力上的锦绣。
宝座上的女王手上戴的戒指，
就是最贱的宝石也受人尊重，
同样，那在你身上出现的瑕疵
也变成真理，当作真理被推崇。
多少绵羊会受到野狼的引诱，
假如野狼戴上了绵羊的面目!
多少爱慕你的人会被你拐走，
假如你肯把你全部力量使出!
可别这样做;我既然这样爱你，
你是我的，我的光荣也属于你。