Venus and Adonis: One of the greatest love poems ever written

Despite William Shakespeare being regarded as the most significant figure in the Western literary canon, relatively little is known about his early life and his later `lost years'. Even the exact date of his birth is uncertain. 23rd April generally accepted to be the date of his birth, could be a scholarly mistake amplified by the coincidence of it also being the date of his death.

What is known for certain is that Shakespeare was born to middle class, but probably illiterate parents, John ...