Influences of Shakespeare from "summary" of Shakespeare Alive! by Joseph Papp,Elizabeth Kirkland
Shakespeare's influence on literature and culture is immense. His works have left a lasting impact on the generations that have followed him, from his contemporaries to the present day. His writings have been studied and adapted countless times to create new works of literature, film, television, and theatre.- Shakespeare was one of the most influential playwrights in literary history, whose works continue to be studied and enjoyed by people today. His plays explored a range of topics from love and tragedy to political intrigue and power dynamics. The ingenuity of his plots and use of poetry propelled him to be universally recognised as a master writer.
- Shakespeare has had an enduring influence on other writers and across a variety of genres. His iconic works include well-loved tragedies like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello and Macbeth. His unique style has been emulated by numerous authors over the centuries, enabling many subsequent works of drama and literature to echo the same impact as his own.
- Shakespeare popularised the concept of dramatic irony, where the audience is aware of something hidden from the characters. His audiences included courtiers, merchants and even royalty, so his theatrical influences were widespread and significant. As well as his craftsmanship onstage, his influence can also extend offstage into areas such as costume design and music composition.
- Shakespeare's contributions to English language are substantial. Throughout his career, he coined hundreds of new words that are still used in everyday conversation. His inventive phrases have shaped modern communication, with idioms such as "vanish into thin air" and "in my mind’s eye". He also introduced a wealth of figures of speech which continue to be used in various contexts to this day.
- The legacy of William Shakespeare continues to hold sway on cultures all over the world. His stories transcend generations due to their applicability to every era, and provide timeless commentary on societal issues relating to gender politics, war and religion. Such universal themes drive home the fact that despite its historical context, his work remains relevant even today.
