Who is Known as the Bard of Avon? Meaning, History, Famous Works and Legacy

William Shakespeare has been given many nicknames and one of them is Bard of Avon. He is known as one of the greatest writers in the history of English literature. Shakespeare is quite famous for his plays, poems, and sonnets which are still read and performed all over the world. 

The nickname of Bard of Avon comes from his birthplace which is Stratford-upon-Avon, a small town located in England near the River Avon. 

Here is everything you need to know about what this title means, famous works of Shakespeare, some words and phrases that are now commonly used and his most popular quotes. 

Why is Shakespeare Called the Bard of Avon?

Shakespeare has earned this title because he is widely known as the greatest writer in the English language. He is also the world’s most important dramatist. 

It is known that his plays cover almost every human emotion, ranging from love and jealousy to ambition and grief and that is one of the major reasons his work is still relevant today. Shakespeare wrote around 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and 2 long narrative poems. His writing has given a shape to modern English and scholars still study his work in schools and universities across the world.

The word Bard is an old term that is used for a poet or a storyteller who is quite skilled. This term was originally used for Celtic poets who used to compose verses about important events and heroes. Over time this term became common for any highly respected poet. 

Avon simply means the River Avon which flows through Warwickshire in England. So the nickname simply combines his talent as a poet to the town where he was born and grew up. Here is a simple breakdown of the title: 

Some Famous Works of William Shakespeare

Here are some of the famous works of William Shakespeare in different categories: 

Tragedy

• Hamlet 

• Macbeth

• Romeo and Juliet

• Othello 

Comedy

• As You Like It 

• A Midsummer Night's Dream

• Twelfth Night

• Much Ado About Nothing

History

• Julius Caesar

• Richard III

• Henry V

Most Popular Quotes by Shakespeare

Here are some of the lines that are still used so much in today’s world and they show how his writing has lasted so long: 

Words and Phrases Introduced By Shakespeare

Shakespeare used around 17000 different words across his plays and poems and experts believe he was the one who introduced around 1700 of them. Here are some of the common words and phrases by Shakespeare that are still used today. 

Common words linked to Shakespeare

Everyday phrases that came from his plays

Because of his huge contributions to the English language, the writings of Shakespeare did more than entertaining the audience. He formed a very large part of how people speak today.