Shakespeare’s work is captivating, compelling, and gripping. Readers of any era, culture, or ethnicity can relate to his works, this adds to his popularity. His works examine the different aspects of the human nature. The themes he deals with are universal making his works timeless. In Romeo and Juliet for example, Shakespeare tells the story of two lovers separated by their families. Many can relate to this since lovers have always been separated because of their differences which include class, race, age, gender…etc.
His works overflows with imagery and figurative language, he also uses poetic devices and is especially known for his puns. In “Hamlet” for example Shakespeare uses puns extensively in the following lines uttered by Hamlet:
" …This fellow might be
in's time a great buyer of land, with his statutes,
is recognizances, his fines, his double vouchers,
his recoveries: is this the fine of his fines, and
the recovery of his recoveries, to have his fine pate
full of fine dirt?..."
Shakespeare uses images and figurative language in his sonnets allowing the readers to become engrossed in them. In one example from sonnet 29, Shakespeare uses a simile to compare his state to a lark singing in the morning.
Even though Shakespeare has proven himself to be a master playwright and poet, he is not necessarily the greatest writer of all time. Countless other poets and writers deserve to be given the same recognition. Although the number of sonnets he has written is menacing it does not mean that they are better than those written by poets throughout the centuries and in different languages. Other than the excessive use of puns, William Shakespeare’s works are not very different from the works of other great writers.
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3 comments:
Rana, very interesting comment....
You brought up ideas that I did not think of when I too, was trying to defend the fact that Shakespeare is overrated. I also agree with you when you said that some other artists should be given the same recognition. However, I oppose your idea when you said that Shakespeare’s works are not very different from the works of other great writers. I believe that Shakespeare does have an exceptional style and I also think that it is one of the aspects that made him have such popularity.
Rana I really enjoyed reading your comment because it encompassed everything from his plays to his sonnets,while using specific examples. You shed light on both sides of the story, that is, why Shakespeare should be praised and why he could be viewed as overrated. I agree with all your points, especially that other writers with an equal amount of talent should receive the same recognition. Good job!
I agree with all that you have written.You gave great examples especially when mentioning his love for puns. You captured the true reason of why Shakespeare is so overrated: great language but ideas similar to those of many other writers. You also mentioned that his ideas are timeless. You saw it as a good thing but I find that it only demeans Shakespeare as a writer. Such a renowned writer should have had the ability to write about issues less mundane and known (such as love or power - which have been discussed by many writers) and more innovative and fresh. But all in all you did a very good job explaining your point of view. Great work!
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