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William Shakespeare

About the bard and his most famous works.

Date : 20/01/2023

Author Information

Angelica

Uploaded by : Angelica
Uploaded on : 20/01/2023
Subject : English

An Introduction to William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is widely considered to be one of the greatest playwrights in the history of the English language. Born in 1564 in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon in England, Shakespeare began his career as an actor and playwright in London in the late 16th century. Over the course of his career, he wrote an estimated 38 plays and 154 sonnets, which continue to be widely read, performed, and studied to this day.

Shakespeare`s most famous works include plays such as "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," "Macbeth," and "Othello." These plays are considered classics of English literature and have had a profound influence on theater and culture around the world. "Romeo and Juliet" is a tragic love story about two young lovers from feuding families, while "Hamlet" is a psychological drama about a young prince grappling with the death of his father and the corruption of his uncle. "Macbeth" is a tragedy about a Scottish general who receives a prophecy that he will become king, and "Othello" is a tragedy about a Moorish general in the service of Venice who is manipulated by a deceitful ensign.

To study Shakespeare`s work, it is important to read the plays in their entirety. Many students make the mistake of focusing solely on the most famous passages or scenes, but to truly understand and appreciate Shakespeare`s writing, it is important to read the plays in their entirety. This will give you a sense of the overall structure and themes of the play, as well as the character development and plot.

Additionally, it is helpful to read the plays in their original language, as the beauty and complexity of Shakespeare`s writing is often lost in translation. If you are not comfortable reading the plays in their original language, you can use an annotated edition that includes footnotes and explanations of difficult words and phrases.

It is also recommended to attend a live performance of the play, if possible. Seeing the play performed on stage allows you to experience the text in a new way, and can give you a deeper understanding of the characters, themes, and the world of the play.

Finally, it is important to keep in mind that Shakespeare`s plays were written to be performed, not just read. The language and action in his plays are intended to be dramatic, and to be experienced in a theater. So to fully understand and appreciate the beauty of his works, it is recommended to experience them in a live performance.

In conclusion, William Shakespeare is one of the most celebrated playwrights in the history of the English language. His plays continue to be widely read, performed, and studied to this day. To truly understand and appreciate Shakespeare`s writing, it is important to read the plays in their entirety, read them in the original language, attend a live performance, and keep in mind that the plays were written to be performed.

This resource was uploaded by: Angelica