The Settings of Shakespeare’s Plays

William Shakespeare (1564–1616), arguably one of the greatest playwrights of all time, relied on geographical description to help colour his histories, tragedies and comedies. Born and raised in the English countryside of Stratford-upon-Avon, his works were first written and performed in the city of London, England, during the 16th and 17th centuries. Shakespeare, however, did not limit himself to England when setting his 38 plays. His characters fictionally inhabited at least 14 modern-day countries by some counts. Today his plays, more than any other playwright living or dead, are performed and read in nations around the globe.