How William Shakespeare influenced literature
Introduction
William Shakespeare is the most remarkable and unforgettable literary figure. His contributions to the world of literature is priceless and beyond reproach. In fact literature would have had little meaning in the absence of this prolific writer who widely wrote about life, love and death. The universal themes got a beautiful touch from him (Shakespeare et al 120). His poetry and drama give an impression of a literary writer who had vast knowledge of human psychology. Shakespeare explored drama and poetry with most of his dramas being crafted poetically. However, it is the drama that brought him so much fame in the world of literature. He was influenced by Seneca who was Roman tragic dramatist and also the medieval plays. Seneca mainly advanced the theme of revenge and showed horrible deeds including blood on the stage devoid of hesitation.
The Thesis Statement explores the works of Shakespeare and how these works immensely influenced literature. Apparently, the magnitude of that influence is what makes the works of Shakespeare to dominate in the literary world up to date. Besides, he has inspired many writers of all time with his works being studied by many and his plays have been as well made into movies and even performed live on stage. In addition, most of his plays were focused on making sure the reader feel the kind of emotions that go on through his plays (Shakespeare et al 120). His works give us a clue of how could have been for him apart from helping out society by giving us new words which definitely had new meanings attached to them. His literary works have been a fundamental part of the history whereby kings and queens enjoyed his writings.
Background
William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 and brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon. He got married to Anne Hathaway at only the age of 18. The couple had three children namely Susanna and twins Hamlet and Judith. He was an English poet and playwright. Shakespeare began a successful career in London as an actor, writer and also co-owned a playing company. This above history clearly indicates where he got inspired to write his plays. Therefore, his successful career as a writer and actor did not just happen suddenly but it was a gradual process that took quite sometime (Cahill 52). Being a family man gave him an upper hand and was better placed to become role model to many writers and readers alike. This is because having a wife and three children is an indication of the respect and worth Shakespeare accorded the family institution. Apart from writing and acting, Shakespeare ventured in administrative roles since he also worked as schoolmaster’s assistant in Lancashire.
His family was granted with the honor of Court of Arms after being a highly recognized writer even by the state. He dedicated himself to acting and writing and hence his hard work and diligence attained fruition. He was in a position to write several of his famous plays while he studied in London and commenced his long journey towards accomplishing success. He achieved much success in the literary world four years after relocating to London. He was famous with his key genres for play which included history, tragedy and comedy. Apparently, he began writing while he was attending school. He would later on retire to Stratford in 1613 where he passed on three years afterward. His burial took place in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church. He left behind a wife, Anne and two children. In addition, his rich legacy remains an inspiration to many modern writers and readers of his works in Europe and other continents. Today, his literary works like plays and poetry are incorporated in the literature curriculum of many schools.
Contributions of Shakespeare
A lot of contributions have been accredited to Shakespeare particularly in the modern culture. He has made is much easier for most people to understand literature and its applications to the realities in people’s lives. His legacy mainly facilitated the capacity of modern people to interpret literature. His style of writing plays has influenced the way people understand old English as well as the way writers have been and still write their plays. Shakespeare has incorporated many words to English language thus expanding the vocabulary base. Therefore, he qualifies as one of the great writers in world history who have dignified this language. The introduction of new words to English language is outstanding as it has clearly shown as a new meaning to English. Thus, English became practical means of reaching out to the masses not only in England but across the globe especially the English speakers.
Shakespeare has also given an insight into human character something very few writers can afford to do besides demonstrating how beautiful the written and spoken word can be. Shakespeare’s ideas have been employed in the movie industry since he has influenced the way certain movies reach climaxes or even end. In a nut shell, this famous poet and playwright still lives on through his writings, words and sayings which are attributed to him despite the fact that he died nearly 400 years ago.
The influence of Shakespeare on Literature
William Shakespeare has greatly influenced the literature through his works. The modern writers of literary materials have therefore borrowed a lot of the words including writing styles from Shakespeare’s works. There are also a surging number of young learners of literature who have developed great passion to reading his poems and plays (Bloom 110). The growing interest in his literary work has therefore prompted many governments to include the plays and poems of Shakespeare into their curriculum. The popularity of Shakespeare’s literary work has seen most of these works translated into major languages of the world.
The plays are played in schools, during festivals and theaters. In his play, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare explores the elements that keep together relationships thus making them last for relatively longer time. Apparently, it is true in the modern society that everyone is working hard to ensure they accomplish dream of having love just like Romeo and Juliet did. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a story about murder that is coupled with revenge in Seneca tradition. The story mainly features soldiers who are tirelessly waiting for the ghost to emerge (Shakespeare et al 120). In addition, Hamlet focuses on human relationships and the religion. Shakespeare acknowledges the existence of cases of murder which in some instances followed by revenge attacks.
Shakespeare’s writings had major impact on works of many writers. It is conventional that the works of most people who wrote in English language were influenced by Shakespeare. Some of the writers whose literary works were largely impacted upon by ideologies and styles of Shakespeare include: A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley, Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, Money by Martin Amis and Nothing like the Sun by Anthony Burgess. He is also reported to have influenced highly recognized novelists like Charles Dickens, Melvin Herman and Thomas Hardy. Most of these writers have either used quotations or even draw titles from Shakespeare’s writings. A typical example is Charles Dickens who used quotations of Shakespeare’s throughout his writings. In addition, over 25 titles of Dickens’ writings are drawn from Shakespeare (Cahill 52).
Melvin on the other hand used Shakespeare’s devices and ideas in his work. This is mainly seen in his stage directions. Shakespeare had great impact on poetry as well. A number of English poets whose works were characterized by theme of self-consciousness also got deeper influence and motivation fro Shakespeare (Bloom 110). Romantic poets like Samuel Taylor used the theme which had been widely mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays like Hamlet. The writings of Shakespeare were mainly influential to 1800s English poetry. Today, authors still borrow words from his writings. Some of his works that have influenced writers includes Richard III, Henry IV, Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, and Measure for Measure.
Shakespeare used the old English to advance his opinion and views particularly about what goes on in the society. The idea of using old English gained positive feedback with most of the modern writers struggling to incorporate hid ideas into their works. This has seen several novels, plays and poetry getting characterized by ideas, style and the way Shakespeare wrote his literary works. Works of Shakespeare are read in schools in the US as well as colleges. Mostly, they touch on reality about what goes in the society (Cahill 52). They also enrich works of today’s writers apart from offering variety of styles that today’s writers rely upon in their plays and sonnets. His writing is therefore a milestone towards improving the quality and themes upon which most of the literary works today are founded.
Conclusion
William Shakespeare will always go down the history lane as one of the most successful and highly celebrated writer of all seasons. Today, works of Shakespeare are read by people from different races, ethnic backgrounds and nationality across the globe. Like many writers of his time, the works of Shakespeare have influenced writers of poetry and plays of 21st century. His ideas and opinions are still applied by present authors of poems and plays to enrich their literary works. Shakespeare will forever be in the minds of the people in the modern society because his works have always reminded them that the past is a determinant of what the future holds (Cahill 52).
Moreover, his writings will undoubtedly help many people expand their vocabulary and open up opportunities for studying his writings. There Shakespeare has become an important landmark in literature hence its necessary for students to study his literary works. It is explicit that Shakespeare was the master of the artistic quality of the English language. His extraordinary skills in writing will forever remain a challenge unattainable for the modern writers of literature. In fact the modern writers would only imitate his style of writing as well as borrow some of his vocabularies (Bloom 110).
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William, Juliet Dusinberre, and Richard Proud foot. As You Like It. London: Arden Shakespeare, 2006. Print.
Cahill B. William Shakespeare: Poet, Playwright, Time Traveler. Read [serial online]. April 15, 2011.
Bloom, Harold, and Janice Mason. Macbeth. New York: Bloom’s Literary Criticism, 2008. Print.
