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. Helena is a beautiful servant in the house of Rossilion. Bertram. The countess's son Bertram is about to leave for France. Helena has been in love with Bertram even though their class differences makes this love impossible. When the King becomes very ill, Helena offers to cure him in exchange for being able to marry the man of her choosing.