Student Question
What would be different if Shakespeare never wrote his plays or poems?
Quick answer:
If Shakespeare had never written his plays or poems, the cultural and imaginative landscape of the English-speaking world and beyond would be significantly diminished. His works, which have been translated globally, offer profound insights into the human experience, providing solace, beauty, and expression. Countless literary and cultural references, including song titles and novels, draw from his genius. Without Shakespeare, we would lack a vital connection to the "ideal" that enriches our lives.
It would be a sad day indeed if he had never written his poems and plays. I love Sonnet 29 and 30...so much beauty in the language and fun to think about Shakespeare the person behind it all. The plays are great fun as well. I love the comedies...Taming of the Shrew is great, and I like to show Ten Things I Hate About You to my students so we can compare and contrast. There is much about Shakespeare that is still so relevant and still matters to kids today. We just have to show them how to make those connections for themselves and help them love learning and reading!
Certainly, the English-speaking world would be much poorer in imagination and culture. His works translated into hundreds of other languages, Shakespeare's influence has touched many other lands, as well. Deprived of the famous lines that have been quoted and requoted for centuries would leave many of us without the edification of sharing in the human experience with one so insightful, consoling, and delightfully entertaining.
Thousands of titles of songs, novels, plays, etc. have been taken from Shakespearean plays. The Sonnets have touched people's very hearts and spirits. The beauty of the language of Shakespeare has also moved millions of people. Not only has this beautiful language enabled many to better express themselves by quoting it, but the pleasure of this beauteous language is immeasurable.
Life without Shakespeare? I think not. Being deprived of his genius would be like life without color or mountains and streams, birds, animals--all that feeds the weary or melancholy soul. Time and time again people turn to the writings of Shakespeare for solace, enjoyment, beauty, expression.... Shakespeare and his plays have so proundly clarified for the uncomprehending of humanity, cheered the heart; his poetry has fed souls and filled ears and eyes with beauty and granted his audiences the oh-so-needed sharing of the human experience.
Victor Hugo wrote, "The human soul has still greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist, it is by the ideal that we live." Shakespeare has provided the world the "ideal."
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