It's not a myth: William Shakespeare really did write 'King Lear' during the plague. From Edvard Munch to Isaac Newton, here are a few more people who made the most of being isolated.

SHAKESPEARE
The Bard is widely regarded as the greatest playwright in the history of the English language, but what if he had a little help?
From the clock in ‘Julius Caesar’ to Machiavelli in ‘Henry VI,’ the Bard made a few (possibly intentional) mistakes.
William Shakespeare had an enormous influence on "Paradise Lost" poet John Milton, and new evidence suggests that super fan Milton—who even wrote a poem called "On Shakespeare"—might have owned his idol's first folio.
Shakespeare supposedly wrote his play about star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, between 1591 and 1595. So how did the balcony become integrated into one of the greatest literary tragedies of all time?
Despite what the title might imply, Kenneth Branagh took some creative liberties with 'All Is True,' the William Shakespeare biopic he directed and stars in.
The Romans referred to the days of the month by their relation to the 'Kalends,' the 'Ides,' and the 'Nones.' If Caesar had been killed any other day, his famous warning might have sounded much less ominous.
The Oscar-winning Best Picture—which didn't win any accolades for its historical accuracy—arrived in theaters 20 years ago.
An incredible number of lines from William Shakespeare's plays have become so ingrained in modern vernacular that we no longer recognize them as lines from plays at all.
Even 400 years after Shakespeare's death, scholars are still debating.
Just like the English Bard, Tang died in 1616, and he also penned dramatic works and romances.
"To E, or not to E, that is the question."
One hundred European starlings released in Central Park in 1890 have turned into 200 million across the U.S. today. Now scientists are looking into their genetic diversity.
A special branch of New York City’s Public Theater brings the Bard’s plays to underserved communities in the metro area.
Happy Talk Like Shakespeare Day!
Dr. Orville Ward Owen was so well versed in Shakespeare’s works that he could pinpoint the exact play, act, and scene from which any line given to him was taken.
Retouches have altered the portrait from its original state.
Terrible occurrences have dogged performances of the Shakespeare play ever since its premiere.