Often considered the greatest playwright in the Western canon, Shakespeare wrote in a time period called the Renaissance. To this day, some 500 years later, his timeless works inspire admiration. If you wish to get acquainted with his oeuvre, you can do so in a very modern, 21st century way. More than a couple of apps offer you an opportunity to enjoy his works in any language you can imagine, read commentary and essays by top scholars, and learn more about the man himself. Find out how many Shakespeare plays there are, go through the entire sonnet timeline in the correct reading order (or completely at random, if you wish), have hours of fun and learn quite a bit along the way.

Reading a novel is great, but going through an entire play in written form is not for everyone. The pure dialogue format can seem dry, to say the least. Shakespeare's 37 plays were, after all, intended for the theatre. So why not approach them in this way? Use your smartphone to locate the playhouse nearest to you and give it a try. Pick up your Shakespeare theatre tickets and go enjoy a comedy - or even a tragedy. It is a great way to have fun with friends and truly connect with these timeless works.

No one knows Shakespeare's plays better than the actors. Macbeth and Henry IV - and even the obscure yet equally brilliant Two Noble Kinsmen - are their bread and butter. If you truly want to get acquainted with The Bard's works on a personal level, why not give amateur acting a go? Even if your skills are less than perfect, you should still give it a try, challenge yourself, and gain a fascinating new perspective in life. Look for an app devoted to Shakespearean acting and gain incredible insights into the characters, and how to tell their stories.