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“He breathed upon dead bodies and brought them into life. ” (R.W. Emerson)
“If we wish to know the force of human genius we should read Shakespeare“.( William Hazlitt)
Amazingly, some people always find a place in our world and lives. They live with us through their great works and memories and folks it is not untrue to say that as long as we love English literature, Shakespeare will remain with us . Through his work of art and literary creations he’ll keep on inspiring the readers and authors, decades after decades, centuries after centuries. His pure soul and gems of wordly wisdom gleam through his unparalleled literary works
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE , the legendary Bard of Avon was born at Stratford-upon- Avon in London on 26 April, 1564. He was a man of versatile genius capable of excellent creativity in various fields. He was a renowned poet, dramatist, actor and director. He was entrusted with the title of ‘National poet of England’.
400 YEARS AND STILL POPULAR ??
Now our greatest surprise is that it’s been more than 400 years since Shakespeare’s death and we’re still reading the dramas , sonnets and poems of Shakespeare as if he were a modern age author. The popularity and fame that he has earned through these years never seem to fade. Reading and quoting Shakespeare is still in vogue and highly admirable. Despite the fact that English is a foreign language and a second language in most of the countries Shakespeare’s dramas and poems have succeeded immensely in putting an indelible mark on reader’s mind and soul. Let’s try to understand and decode the mystery behind the eternal impact of Shakespeare and his literary creations.
1-) REMARKABLE PHRASES AND QUOTES –All the speakers and writers of English use phrases and quotes coined by Shakespeare in his dramas and poems, knowingly or unknowingly. YES ! It’s true ! Shakespeare has innovated many phrases and intellectual quotes that people are using even in 21st century. His dramas and sonnets are rich source of phrases and words of wisdom.
JUST HAVE A KIND LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING FAMOUS QUOTES BY SHAKESPEARE
A few more valuable Shakespearean quotes that we usually use or come across-- "In my heart of hearts" (HAMLET , Act 3 scene 2) "Own flesh and body" (HAMLET , Act 1 scene 5) "I have not slept one wink " ( CYMBELINE , Act 3 scene 4) "It's greek to me " (JULIUS CAESAR , Act 1 scene 2) "Jealousy is the green -eyed monster" (OTHELLO, Act 3 scene 3) "Wear my heart upon my sleeve ." (OTHELLO, Act 1 scene 1) "A blinking idiot." ( THE MERCHANT OF VENICE , Act 2 scene 9)
2 ) QUALITY OF LANGUAGE AND SOLILOQUIES– The second most important feature of Shakespeare’s creation is the quality of language and the power of speeches or ‘soliloquies‘ . Shakespeare’s literary creations are a perfect fusion of of poetry , prose , blank verse , rhythm , lyrics, music and soliloquies. Soliloquies are an act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud by the character of the play when he/she is alone. It is self- addressed or addressed to the audience. Some of the most famous soliloquies in the English literature are from ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Macbeth’.
“To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
(HAMLET)
Soliloquies in Shakespearean dramas reveal the psyche of the character as well as his/her inner conflict and desires. It reveals the character deeply and increases the surprise elements and curiosity in readers.
“Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee:
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.
Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible
To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but
A dagger of the mind, a false creation,
Proceeding from the heat-oppressèd brain?
I see thee yet, in form as palpable
As this which now I draw.”
(SOLILOQUY from MACBETH’s ‘ The dagger speech’)
3 ) TREASURE OF WIT AND WISDOM — Shakespearean dramas are rich source of wit and wisdom. In his observation of life and the rare quality of putting them into words Shakespeare’s insight and vision is admirable and at par when compared to the works of other contemporary dramatists. His dialogues are lively and wise conversations full of lyrical quality.
a) " Love is blind and lovers cannot see ,the pretty follies that themselves commit."
(The Merchant of Venice, Act 2 , Scene 6)
b) " Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more."
(Macbeth, Act 5 ,Scene 5 )
4 ) LIVELY AND WITTY CHARACTERS — Shakespeare’s characters are full of life, emotions , vigour and wit. His characters show that he had wonderful and subtle understanding of human nature, behaviour, physical attributes and psyche .His characters belong to different cultures, races, professions , gender and strata of society and he has done complete justice while creating them. Whether it be Portia’s beauty and wisdom, Hamlet‘s anguish , Macbeth‘s ambition, Othello‘s revenge , Ophelia‘s distress, Antonio‘s loyalty ,Falstaff’s humour or Shylock’s envy it’s been well portrayed with minute detailing.
The fame and popularity of Shakespeare’s characters can be understood by the fact that Uranus( the seventh planet of solar system) has 27 moons ,most of which have been named after the characters that appear in Shakespeare’s works. The major five moons of Uranus are Oberon and Titania (characters in ‘A Midsummer Night’s dream’) , Ariel (Tempest) , Miranda ( Tempest) and Umbriel. The names of the other moons are Cordelia ( King Lear) , Ophelia (Hamlet), Bianca ( The Taming of the shrew), Cressida (Troilus and Cressida), Desdemona(Othello), Juliet and Mab (Romeo and Juliet ) , Rosalind ( As you like it), Portia (The Merchant of Venice) , Margaret ( Much Ado about nothing) , Perdita ( The winter’s tale), Cupid (The Timon of Athens)
5) USE OF GOTHIC OR SUPERNATURAL ELEMENTS — Readers or audience always love the surprise element especially those which raises their curiosity to highest level giving them cold shivering or tingling sensations. Shakespeare ‘s works are unparallelled in this art of incorporating supernatural beings,gothic elements, foretelling or prophesies or spooky atmosphere which is relevant to the story. Whether it be Banquo’s ghost in MACBETH or ‘Appearance of three witches’ and witchcraft in first scene or the ghost of King in HAMLET , wizardry in TEMPEST and the presence of tiny supernatural beings. Shakespeare’s tale also emphasizes on bad -omen or ill -omen , curses and blessings elevating the surprising elements in the story.
a)'Double, double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble' (Three witches in MACBETH) b)Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair' (witch in MACBETH) c) The GHOST OF BANQUO enters, and sits in MACBETH's place ] MACBETH Here had we now our country's honour roof'd Were the graced person of our Banquo present; Who may I rather challenge for unkindness Than pity for mischance! ROSS His absence, sir, Lays blame upon his promise. Please't your highness To grace us with your royal company. MACBETH The table's full. LENNOX Here is a place reserved, sir.( Act3 ,scene4 , MACBETH; Banquo's ghost)
To add to this , Shakespeare has always been a mysterious figure for his readers and contemporary authors . Nobody actually knows how exactly he looked like and his exact date of birth.There have been variety of thoughts and controversies about the authorships of different books that he wrote.
it is not untrue to say that as long as we love English literature, Shakespeare will remain with us .It has been rightly said by the renowned dramatist BEN JOHNSON about Shakespeare. ” Not of an age , but for all time .”
LINKS AND WEBSITES FOR SHAKESPEARE— If you wish to have more detailed understanding of Shakespeare , his birthplace . his museum and globe theatre that he created you may visit this beautiful website http://www.shakespeare.org.uk
If you’re searching for short animation videos of shakespearean dramas and facts about him go to website http://www.shakespearesglobe.com
For a detailed reading of his works and phrases/quotes by Shakespeare visit the website http://www.nosweatshakespeare.com
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splendid info..
THANK YOU ! 🙂