Although William Faulkner, Robert Browning and William Shakespeare came from different backgrounds and were born centuries apart, these three well-known men of literature had much in common. Shakespeare was a poet, actor and playwright, born in Stratford-Upon-Avon in 1564. Throughout his life he wrote several sonnets and poems and was the creator of many words still used today (“William Shakespeare”). Shakespeare has remained one of the most popular literary figures in the world. Browning was born in 1812 in London and wrote many poems and had them published in several volumes. Faulkner was not a playwright but he was a famous novelist, poet, and short story writer. He grew up in Mississippi where he based all the locations of his works. “A Rose for Emily,” “Porphyria's Lover,” and Hamlet are hauntingly beautiful and tragic pieces. They're all different, but the only thing that connects them is the character's fascination with death and whether or not it affects them psychologically. The first character who may have been fascinated by death is one Emily Grierson in William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily"; published in 1931. "A Rose for Emily" is labeled a Southern Gothic tale ("William Faulkner"). The story is about the consequences of Grier's death. The villagers want to know why she always stayed in the house and never went out and what the smell was coming from inside. To their horror and surprise, Miss Emily had killed her husband and slept next to the corpse. Everything fell into place after the citizens entered. The reason why Emily slept next to a dead body after killing it could stem from childhood issues or events that happened. The people in his life could have been a key element... in the center of the card... or not, it affects them psychologically. Works Cited Barnet, Sylvan, William Burto, and William E. Cain. “A rose for Emily.” Literature for Composition: An Introduction to Literature. 10th ed. New Jersey: Pearson, 2014. 249-56. Print.Barnet, Sylvan, William Burto and William E. Cain. “Hamletic” literature for composition: an introduction to literature. 10th ed. New Jersey: Pearson, 2014. 249-56. Print.Best, JT “Porphyria's Lover”: Widely Misunderstood Poetry.” "Porphyria's Lover": Widely misunderstood poem. The Victorian Web, June 8, 2007. Web. April 21, 2014Browning, Robert. "Porphyria's lover." Foundation for Poetry. Poetry Foundation, 2014. Web. April 21, 2014 “Biography of William Faulkner.” William Faulkner. The European Graduate School, nd Web. 22 April 2014 “William Shakespeare”. Poet.org. Academy of American Poets, 1997. Web. April 21. 2014.