Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, in Stratford-upon-Avon and during his lifetime wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets and two long narrative poems.

His plays have been translated into every major language and performed more often than the works of any other playwright.

They continue to play a key part of English literature studies.

Emma Woods, head of English at the Thomas Aveling School, Rochester, said her favourite play was Richard III.

She said: “He is an evil genius, but also honest and open with the audience so they are almost are on board with him, rooting for him to succeed despite knowing that he’s evil to the core.

“I love that a lot of people have rediscovered this great play since his remains were found a few years ago under a car park in Leicester.”

The school in Arethusa Road held a special Shakespearian-themed quiz during their lunchbreak yesterday.

Duncan Mead, Medway Council’s libraries manager, said: “Macbeth is my favourite. I did it at A-level and it was one of the few books that kept my imagination. But it might be because my Christian name is Duncan!

“It’s an exciting story.”

John Winson, from Medway Little Theatre, said his favourite was A Midsummer’s Nights Dream.

“It was the first Shakespeare play I saw and it was performed at the Regent Park Theatre,” he said.

“It was quite a long time ago, the weather was fantastic and it went dark at the right time.

“It was the perfect setting.”

Jaye Nolan, director of Rochester Literature Festival, said she doesn’t think people truly appreciate how relevant the playwright’s work still is today.

She said: “People don’t realise what an influence he’s been on modern language. They say they don’t like Shakespeare and then use phrases that are so common in the English language – which he created.

“My favourite work is A Winter’s Tale. I saw it in a cinema, live from the Royal Opera House, it was very moving, I was in floods of tears. The sheer depth of his work and the way he can create real relationships, his insults are fantastic.”

Anita Hine, who works in Baggins Book Bazaar in Rochester High Street, said students often come into the shop looking for Shakespeare’s works.

“My favourite is Macbeth, it just struck a chord with me. I like Macbeth’s role in it. I think it is just brilliant and it is still relevant today.”

Celebrate Shakespeare’s works with Rochester Literature Festival and writers Ben Slythecorr and Graham Guy, today, Saturday, with a two hour performance and analysis of his plays, at Rochester Community Hub, Eastgate, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Tickets cost £5.50.

Actors will be performing excerpts from Romeo and Juliet and a Misdummer Night’s Dream at the English Festival today, Saturday, at Riverside Country Park, Gillingham.