Question

Shakespeare is perhaps the most famous author in the English language. It’s worth asking why that is. Certainly, his works have rippled throughout the worlds of literature, drama, and film. He has even personally influenced the shape of the English language itself. Yet, his works can be hard to read and access. In short, his works, individually and as a whole, are not universally loved.

Describe the reaction you have to the works of Shakespeare. Why do you think his legacy as an author endures? In what ways may his impact be overstated? Think of the works from Shakespeare you have read or seen, including both live plays and films. What impact have those works had on you?

Answer 1

Answer: His works are universal and enduring, as are his characters.Shakespeare’s works are emotional, hilarious, pithy. But above all, he was masterful at imbuing his stories and his characters with qualities that audiences and readers identify with — Hamlet’s anguish, Ophelia’s distress, the enduring love between Romeo and Juliet.