His Works
William Shakespeare, in terms of his life and his body of work, is the most written-about author in the history of Western civilization. His collection includes 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and 2 huge narrative poems. The First Folio (cover shown below) was published after his death in 1623 by two of Shakespeare's acting companions, John Heminges and Henry Condell. Ever since then, the works of Shakespeare have been studied, analyzed, and enjoyed as some of the finest masterpieces of the English language.
It is all the more wondrous when one can study the works and see Shakespeare developing as a playwright right there upon the pages. Love's Labours Lost and the early comedies are the work of a gifted and clever author. Perhaps such plays alone would have earned him literary fame in later days. The grandeur of a Hamlet or King Lear, however, is the work of a master who learned from his own writing and long practice.
In his time, Shakespeare was the most popular playwright of London. As centuries have passed, his genius influences all others of his age; Jonson, Marlowe, Kyd, Greene, Dekker, Heywood—none approach the craft or the humanity of character that marks the Bard's work. He took the art of dramatic verse and refined it to perfection. He created the most vivid characters of the Elizabethan stage. His usage of language, both lofty and low, shows a remarkable wit and delicacy Most importantly, his themes are so universal that they surpass generations to stir the imaginations of audiences everywhere to this day.
It is all the more wondrous when one can study the works and see Shakespeare developing as a playwright right there upon the pages. Love's Labours Lost and the early comedies are the work of a gifted and clever author. Perhaps such plays alone would have earned him literary fame in later days. The grandeur of a Hamlet or King Lear, however, is the work of a master who learned from his own writing and long practice.
In his time, Shakespeare was the most popular playwright of London. As centuries have passed, his genius influences all others of his age; Jonson, Marlowe, Kyd, Greene, Dekker, Heywood—none approach the craft or the humanity of character that marks the Bard's work. He took the art of dramatic verse and refined it to perfection. He created the most vivid characters of the Elizabethan stage. His usage of language, both lofty and low, shows a remarkable wit and delicacy Most importantly, his themes are so universal that they surpass generations to stir the imaginations of audiences everywhere to this day.