Shakespeare was a English poet, playwright and actor. He was Born in April 1564 and died on April 23 1616. During his life spans to this day He was described by some as the greatest writer and poet! His main poem was called Macbeth,  when Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1606 James 1 had been King of England for 3 years. He had previously been James the VI of Scotland. King James symbolised the Union of the Scottish and England crowns, a union to which Shakespeare refers to in the play hense the scenes.