Why is William Shakespeare called "the Bard"?

William Shakespeare is often referred to as "the Bard of England" because he was viewed as the greatest and unofficial national poet of England. This title was not given to him until during the 20th century when his works were rediscovered and performed by others.

Traditionally, a bard was someone who wrote about heroes and their acts and although it may sometimes be used to refer to someone who writes poems, it more often than not refers to someone who is revered for their poetry. Shakespeare's works continue to be seen as genius because they deal with human beings and a wide range of emotions that extend far beyond their original origins.