Shakespeare Influence Essay Example

his life, John had various occupations but primarily worked as a trader in agricultural goods and wool. Before and after the birth of William, John Shakespeare played a significant role in the Stratford community. He held multiple important civic positions, including being the borough's ale-taster, chamberlain, alderman, chief alderman, and high bailiff (mayor). However, in 1578, John Shakespeare fell behind on his taxes and started missing civic council meetings.

John Shakespeare's various business ventures ultimately influenced William Shakespeare's future. Firstly, John worked as a leather tanner, then switched to trading farm products and wool, and eventually became a justice of the peace. However, his financial troubles prevented William from becoming an apprentice to his father, which turned out to be fortunate for literature. As a result, the renowned author we know today started his life in modest circumstances.

William Shakespeare was born on April 26, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire (St.).

William Shakespeare, born on April 23rd, 1564 (St. George's Day), managed to endure the difficulties of his early life, including a widespread outbreak of plague and disease in England and Europe. He was born in John Shakespeare's residence on Henley Street, but there is scarce knowledge about William's education.

It is believed that Shakespeare went to Stratford Grammar School because it was close to his home and his father's high social status. If he did attend the school, he would have learned to read and write using a hornbook. This is significant because most experts think that Shakespeare's parents could not read or write. Assuming William did go to Stratford Grammar School, he would have studied English literature and become familiar with Latin authors like Seneca, Cicero, Ovid, Virgil,

and Horace. Shakespeare's knowledge of Latin surpassed what he learned at school. This is evident in his clever and articulate use of Latin vocabulary and grammar in his writings.

Shakespeare often included his own life experiences and knowledge of Latin in his writings. Some of his later stories involve events from his childhood schooling. However, he had to leave Stratford Grammar School at thirteen due to financial difficulties faced by his father. After leaving school, there are fragmented sources that suggest he worked for a butcher and helped with his father's business. Historians lack specific information about the period between Shakespeare leaving school at thirteen and reappearing as an actor in the late 1580s.

During the "lost period," Shakespeare had a significant event occur in his life: his marriage to Anne Hathaway in 1582. To legalize their union, Shakespeare and Anne obtained a marriage license at the Episcopal Church in Worcester. At the time of their wedding, Hathaway was older than Shakespeare by eight years and already several months pregnant. After getting married, Anne moved into John Shakespeare's house on Henley Street, as was customary during that time. However, this caused tension with Richard Burbage, an actor who shared the property with the Shakespeares. Consequently, Shakespeare and Burbage had a quarrel that ended in true Shakespearian fashion – with Shakespeare refusing to release Burbage from his lease.

After being involved in a fight, Burbage took legal action against Shakespeare, resulting in an agreement that released Burbage from his lease. Following the trial, Hathaway and Shakespeare lived happily in John Shakespeare's house until they had their children. On May 26, 1583, at the age of nineteen, Shakespeare became a

father to his first child, a girl named Susanna.

Two years later, on February 2, 1585, Hathaway gave birth to twins, Hamnet and Judith, who were named after Shakespeare's neighbors, the baker Hamnet and his wife Judith. Unfortunately, on August 11, 1596, Hamnet, aged eleven, passed away. Passages from plays provide little insight into Shakespeare's reaction to the loss of his son. "How I may be deliver'd of these woes, and teaches me to kill or hang myself." (King John 1595) By the early 1590s, Shakespeare had established himself as a renowned playwright and actor in London and likely worked for an acting company. Thus begins the literary and dramatic influence of William Shakespeare.

Shakespeare's literary works encompass four distinct periods of development, each marked by the evolution of his writing and personal style. The initial stage of his career can be seen as an experimental phase, during which he adhered to traditional formatting and followed conventional writing norms of the 16th and 17th centuries. This period primarily comprised chronicle history plays.

During this period, the plays centered on real-life events, particularly the lives of individuals in power like Shakespeare's works. Specifically, Shakespeare's early plays were based on historical accounts of the Lancastrian and Yorkist kings. Consequently, these plays offered factual information rather than purely fictional tales, providing valuable insights into the royal histories at that time. Plays such as 'Henry VI, Parts I, II, and III' (1595), 'King John' (1596), and 'Richard III' (1598) were greatly influenced by the lives and experiences of these actual monarchs. Given that many of them were involved in corruption and violence, these plays retained a significant element of drama.

During his time

in London in the mid and late 1590s, Shakespeare's writing took on a highly individualized style that deviated from traditional methods. This period focused on tragedies and comedies, with an exploration of blending both genres to create more complex and relatable characters. Notably, 'Romeo and Juliet' (1595) and 'Julius Caesar' were two famous tragedies produced during this time. Despite these advancements, Shakespeare still incorporated elements from his earlier works, such as the use of chronicle dramas in 'Julius Caesar.' Furthermore, his comedies thrived during this period, offering a fresh interpretation of characters.

Shakespeare's comedic characters are distinct from his other characters, expanding his literary understanding of humanity. Each comedic character in Shakespeare's plays is well-developed, showcasing both flaws and strengths. Interestingly, in Shakespeare's tragedies, the characters resemble his comedic ones by possessing both strengths and weaknesses that impact the outcome of the characters and the play. Some notable comedies written by Shakespeare during his second period include 'A Midsummer's Night Dream' (1595), 'As You Like It' (1599), and 'Much Ado About Nothing' (1599). Notably, the heroines in Shakespeare's second-period comedies are equally remarkable as the heroes.

During the time of Shakespeare, women lacked power and were not depicted as admirable in literature. However, in his works such as 'Much Ado About Nothing' and 'A Midsummer's Night Dream', strong and ambitious female characters like Beatrice and Titania emerged. "All that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity." (Hamlet) This quote marks the beginning of Shakespeare's third stage of writing which featured tragedies. Included in this stage are timeless plays such as 'Hamlet' (1601), 'Macbeth', 'Othello' (1604), and 'King Lear' (1605). Throughout this period, Shakespeare explored deep human

emotions and suffering, resulting in well-developed characters.

"In his pursuit of the Scottish throne, Macbeth loses his empathy to the point where he can commit any immoral action." (Encarta 99) The last phase also consisted of the affectionate 'tragi-comedies,' dramas that have a more positive outlook on humanity compared to his earlier works. What I mean is that Shakespeare showcases more of man's redeeming qualities in these plays and grants the characters a happier resolution. Scholars debate whether this reflects Shakespeare's personal life or the evolving nature of dramatic writing during that time. However, it is undeniable that each stage of Shakespeare's literary development played a crucial role in history.

Whether it was in capturing the essence of a 17th century kingdom, creating strong female characters, or simply crafting a new writing style, each change made by William Shakespeare undoubtedly had a significant impact on literary history, as noted in Encarta 99. Shakespeare's characters truly embodied the complexities of human nature. In fact, earlier this year, I had the opportunity to read 'Othello' in my English class and despite the challenging language, the book proved to be a captivating and engaging read.

Ms. Vincent stressed the significance of acknowledging that the characters in 'Othello' are fictional, not actual individuals. However, readers frequently have a different perception. "He creates genuine people," an actress commented following her involvement in a critically acclaimed Shakespearean film. When reading 'Othello' or any other play by Shakespeare, readers become engrossed in the intricate plots and multi-dimensional characters, often disregarding their fictional nature. One factor contributing to the authenticity of Shakespeare's characters is their depiction of various emotions and qualities, rather than being one-dimensional.

The characters

in Shakespeare's plays may initially seem sincere and virtuous, but as the story unfolds, they unveil their true intentions of plotting to assassinate the king. Othello and Macbeth serve as prime illustrations of individuals driven by their personalities and raw emotions, grappling with conflicting feelings and conscience. Instead of conforming to the play's demands, these characters behave in accordance with their unique traits. A quote that perfectly encapsulates Shakespeare's characters asserts, "we know them to such a degree as we know few if any persons alive." In Othello, for instance, the main character experiences intense passion and internal turmoil while contemplating between reason and action.

Due to Othello's personal traits, his actions surpassed his rationality, leading to a costly error that caused him to lose his wife. In contrast to conventional heroes who succeed and find love, Shakespearean heroes possess a tragic imperfection that ultimately leads to their downfall. This vulnerability is dependent on the character's uniqueness, thereby emphasizing the portrayal of reality. The flaws assigned to these heroes in the plays serve to humanize them and make them more credible. Moreover, the storylines in Shakespeare's works contribute to the genuineness and credibility of the dramas or comedies.

The enduring allure of murder, lust, greed, and revenge can be traced back to biblical times and remains just as captivating today. Shakespeare's plays delve into these timeless themes that lack definitive solutions, making them resonate with readers across the ages. As a result, these works have effortlessly entertained and won over audiences for countless years.

Shakespeare's enduring popularity can be attributed to his universal themes and distinctive characters. His writing has been unmatched throughout history, renowned for both his

stories and unique style. In comedies, tragedies, histories, and poems alike, Shakespeare utilized poetic verse. An example of this is found in Encarta 99's Sonnet 18, where he compares a loved one to a summer's day: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, and summer's lease hath all too short a date." The use of metaphors allows Shakespeare's works to be interpreted by both casual playgoers and literary scholars.

Shakespeare's plays frequently utilize metaphors to offer insights into the plot, hero, or villain. While lacking a fixed form, his plays still adhere to a rhyme scheme. Additionally, Shakespeare gained renown for integrating contemporary prose into his writing, making him a trailblazer in this regard. His exceptional intellect enabled him to invent new words for his works given the limitations of the English vocabulary at that time.

Shakespeare's linguistic genius is unmatched as he created words such as "lackluster," "amazement," "dislocation," and "premeditated." His unparalleled mastery of the English language is still revered today. In his sonnets and plays, Shakespeare explores eternal themes of time, truth, life, and love, captivating present-day audiences. Both ordinary people and royals were captivated by his works in the past and continue to be mesmerized by them now. Many contemporary playwrights have inadvertently borrowed from Shakespeare's storylines.

Modern forms of entertainment often incorporate Shakespearean themes, including conflicts between heroes and villains, forbidden love, societal injustices, and various other issues. It remains frustrating that Shakespeare continues to be held up as a model for our society. In England, actors often find it difficult to gain recognition without having

performed in at least one of his plays. The popularity of post-MTV Shakespeare has also been on the rise, as seen in movies like 'Romeo and Juliet' (1997) and 'Ten Things I Hate About You' (1999). Shakespeare is not only tolerated in classrooms but also enjoyed outside of academia. This showcases his remarkable ability to resonate with individuals of all ages, intellects, social statuses, and personal preferences.

Shakespeare's chronicle histories offer more than just an interesting narrative about a corrupt king or a murderous son. They provide historians with a glimpse into events and times that would otherwise have been lost. Plays like 'Richard III,' 'King John,' 'King Henry VI,' and 'Hamlet' reflect European history during their respective eras. For example, 'King Henry VI' draws on the Tudor family's experiences during the War of the Roses in early 1450s England. While the play is based on actual events, certain aspects are exaggerated to favor the Lancastrian side. In 'Richard III,' the story revolves around King Edward's son, who ascended to the role of prince at the young age of eleven. Despite Edward's brothers being of appropriate age and having sufficient political knowledge to rule, English tradition firmly dictated that "the eldest son or his immediate male heir had the right to inherit the throne, excluding the younger sons." This led to Richard's coronation as king.

The play "Richard III' tackles a universal problem regarding the choice between persisting with tradition despite unfavorable conditions or doing what is best at the current time. In the case of England, it would not be politically wise to have a ten-year-old king. However, tradition remains strong. Therefore, the question arises: "If

a king rules unjustly, do his subjects have the right to replace him?" These historical plays are not just informative but also engaging dramas that capture people's attention. Shakespeare's chronicle histories not only provide insights into his time but also convey how ordinary individuals perceived the events unfolding around them.

This reflects both the shift in global culture and the evolution of values and thinking since the era of the plays. Throughout history, William Shakespeare—like other writers—has faced literary criticism for his plays and writing style. In this article, I will present various arguments against Shakespeare to enable you, the reader, to form your own conclusion regarding my thesis. One critique of Shakespeare's works is that they are criticized for their ambiguity in meaning. Professor [insert name] has made this argument.

Hawkins, a scholar from the University of Wales Cardiff, argues that Shakespeare lacks clear distinction in his plays and does not have a clear interpretation. According to Hawkins, Shakespeare's works are like "black holes" where we impose our own meanings. In contrast, Kristie Bush disputes the idea that readers easily identify with Shakespeare's characters. She uses the character Othello as an example, stating that mentally healthy individuals cannot relate to many of Shakespeare's protagonists because they exhibit symptoms of serious mental disorders and psychoses. Bush even goes as far as diagnosing Othello with delusional disorder, jealousy type, and explosive disorder. Based on this, Bush asserts that Shakespeare's characters are not easily relatable due to their mental illnesses. This raises the question of whether people who do identify with Shakespeare's characters are considered crazy. In conclusion, I believe that Shakespeare is the greatest modern author to date.

I

am convinced of this for three reasons. First, Shakespeare's eloquent writing style, including his use of prose, metaphors, and open interpretations, allows readers to derive their own meaning from his plays instead of having it imposed upon them. Second, Shakespeare's characters and plots are exceptionally well-crafted; the characters act in ways that resonate with their own unique personalities, a concept that was not present in earlier literature. Furthermore, the plots delve into universal questions about morality and tradition, while the characters themselves feel incredibly authentic. Finally, Shakespeare's historical plays are not only valuable for their historical content but also because they serve as a reflection of society.

Throughout the years, societal perspectives have evolved on various matters. The plays 'Richard III' and 'King Henry VI' exemplify the transformations in culture and society over a span of several centuries. It is intriguing to consider that someone from the future, three hundred years from now, may interpret "Richard III" in a completely distinct manner from how we perceive the play today. Consequently, Shakespeare's literary accomplishments establish him as the most influential contemporary author in the annals of the English language.