Why does Shakespeare continue to be relevant 400 years after his death? Because he wrote some of the most influential pieces of literature that have shaped not just the English language, but also theatre and pop culture. The bard is even credited with creating new words.
Here are 15 reasons why Shakespeare is important.
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15 Benefits Of Shakespeare For The World
For all that Shakespeare wrote, there have been countless movies and TV shows based on his work. And the next time you see a re-enactment of a famous Shakespearean play, try to notice how his words continue to influence modern media.
They do more than just capture our imaginations they change the way we view the world. Following are the benefits of Shakespeare for the world.
1. Shakespeare Teaches Us About Ourselves
One of the reasons Shakespeare is so popular is that his plays are about universal human experiences. We can all relate to his characters, even if we don’t live in Elizabethan England. Through them, we learn about our own emotions and tendencies.
No one understands the human condition quite like Shakespeare. By exploring the good, the bad, and the ugly in his characters, he helps us to better understand our own emotions and motivations.
2. Shakespeare Provides Insight Into Other Cultures
Shakespeare lived in the 16th and 17th centuries, but that doesn’t mean his work is stuck in the past. His plays were full of allusions to history and culture. For instance, Shakespeare wrote A Midsummer Night’s Dream while Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne.
But if you read it today, you’ll still learn a thing or two about the culture of England at that time. Shakespeare wrote about historical figures and events that were shrouded in mystery. His plays give us an understanding of the past that other sources fail to do.
3. Shakespeare Provides Comfort During Tough Times
Our world is full of conflict. There’s more war, terror, and hatred today than there has been in decades, and it can be tough to face sometimes. But reading a Shakespeare play reminds us of the enduring beauty of humanity.
Even when his characters are at their lowest points, they still manage to express compassion for others. Shakespeare’s plays are a reminder that no matter how bad things seem, we can always find hope if we look for it.
4. Shakespeare Inspires Us To Be Better People
Many of Shakespeare’s characters are flawed, but they also have redeeming qualities. We admire their strengths even as we cringe at their faults. Shakespeare teaches us that it’s okay to be human. We all make mistakes, but we can also learn from them and become better people.
Our world can feel like a cold, cruel place at times, but there is no better reminder of humanity than reading or watching one of Shakespeare’s works and seeing how everyone no matter how high or low their status in life is capable of love, loss, and redemption.
Reference Video – Shakespeare In A Nutshell
5. Shakespeare Encourages Us To Embrace Change
Shakespeare was a master of change. He wrote about characters who underwent huge transformations, both physically and emotionally. And he wasn’t afraid to tackle controversial topics like love, death, and war.
Change can be scary, but Shakespeare reminds us that it can also be positive and empowering.
5. Shakespeare’s Language Is Timeless And Universally Engaging
Shakespeare does more than entertain us with his words; he amazes us with them too. His use of language is so beautiful and complex that modern translations of his work still impress audiences who don’t even understand the original English.
Furthermore, Shakespeare’s works are still taught in schools around the world.
6. Shakespeare’s Works Resonate With People From All Walks Of Life
Shakespeare is considered one of the most quoted authors in history, which means that his words are ingrained into our cultural consciousness. His plays have been adapted into countless movie scripts and pop songs, so you can often find references to him everywhere.
7. Shakespeare Makes Learning Fun
Shakespeare’s works are usually studied in classrooms, but students don’t always enjoy the fact that they have to learn about his poems and plays. However, by seeing how many references to his writing appear in pop culture today, we can see that he is still relevant and entertaining, even after all these years.
8. Shakespeare Encourages Critical Thinking
Shakespeare is one of the few authors that can be studied at different levels. You can read and enjoy his plays without knowing anything about Elizabethan culture or literary devices, but if you want to go deeper, there’s always more to explore.
His works are complex and multi-layered, which is why they continue to be studied and debated by scholars all over the world. Shakespeare often makes us question the motives of his characters and the decisions they make. This can lead to some interesting discussions among students and teachers alike.
9. Shakespeare Teaches Us The Importance Of Oral Tradition
Before books were ever printed, Shakespeare’s work was performed in theatres. As a result, people worked together to learn and memorize his plays to share them with others. Thanks to the stories that were passed down in this way, we can enjoy all of Shakespeare’s works today.
10. Shakespeare Contributes To Our Understanding Of History
Shakespeare’s plays can teach us a great deal about Elizabethan culture, but they are also important to the study of history. Because of his intimate knowledge of political affairs at the time, many of Shakespeare’s works offer new insight into what people were thinking during major historical events like the plague and the English Armada.
11. Shakespeare Inspires Us To Be Creative
Shakespeare was not only a great writer, but he was also an incredible actor and director. Shakespeare was a pioneer of the English language and he helped to create new words and phrases that are still in use today.
In addition, he was one of the first authors to write plays that were specifically designed for performance by actors. This means that his work has been adapted and changed over the years, resulting in some pretty creative interpretations.
He pushed the boundaries of the theatre in his time, and his works continue to influence modern media.
12. Shakespeare Shows Us How To Tell A Story
Shakespeare’s plays are wonderful examples of how to structure a story for maximum effect. He helped to define what we know as ‘drama’ today. By studying his work, we can see exactly why some ideas or concepts make great stories and others don’t.
13. Shakespeare Encourages Us To Appreciate Art
Not only is Shakespeare a great source of entertainment, but he is also considered to be one of the most important writers in the English language. His works are studied in schools and universities around the world, and his language continues to be translated into modern languages.
14. Shakespeare Shows Us The Power Of Love And Hate
Shakespeare’s characters are complex and unique. We don’t always agree with their actions, but we can sympathize with them because Shakespeare makes it clear how they got to where they were. For example, in one scene it may seem as though a character is purely evil, but by the end of the play you might have a new perspective.
15. Shakespeare Is A Good Way To Introduce Students To The Classics
Shakespeare is often seen as one of the gatekeepers to the world of classic literature. Shakespeare’s work is taught in schools, but his plays are often considered to be advanced. His language can seem complicated compared to other stories that are just meant for entertainment.
However, by reading Shakespeare, students find it easier to grasp the structure of more complex works like Homer’s Odyssey.
Importance Of Shakespeare – Conclusion
Shakespeare’s works have changed the course of English history and given us some of the most memorable quotes in history. He has known the world over as a playwright who created some of fiction’s most beloved characters, so it should be quite clear why his work is important.
He is without a doubt the most iconic and renowned playwright of all time, and it’s hard to overestimate his importance. For these reasons, it’s safe to say that Shakespeare is the most important writer in history.