Royal Mail to honour power of Shakespeare's writing with special set of stamps

The power of William Shakespeare's writing is to be honoured with a special set of stamps marking the 400th anniversary of the author's death.

The Royal Mail is publishing 10 first class stamps featuring phrases from hisplays and sonnets.

Quotations on the stamps are from plays including Hamlet, Macbeth and Romeo And Juliet.

William Shakespeare is known as the world's greatest playwright. Credit: PA

Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare was an actor, poet and playwright, as well as a businessman. He died on 23 April, 1616.

Philip Parker, of Royal Mail, said:

A special postmark will appear on letters this week as part of the Royal Mail's commemoration.