Why Shakespeare?

 

    The works of Shakespeare are both fascinating and unusual. Some find his works too difficult to understand, while others have coined him "the most universal writer." Others, myself included, consider him to be one of the first students of the human condition. Yet, for many people, his works only sound like random generated "old-timey" words that no one uses anymore and therefore have no place in the modern age. Well, what if I told you that his works are much simpler and easier to understand than you might have heard? 

What kind of a guy was Shakespeare? 

    Despite Shakespeare's modern prestige as an "elite" artist whose works can only be appreciated by the "superintelligent" and the "privileged," Shakespeare himself was none of these things. He was, for all intents and purposes, a regular dude who did what he loved. He was a middle-class guy without an expensive education who wrote for the theater while managing a malt-selling business. Shakespeare's life was less like a Hollywood producer living fat off his royalty checks and more like a talented, humble theater enthusiast. It just so happens that his works maintain a profound impact in many ways. 

Why do some people believe he didn't actually write any of his plays? 

    People with a lackluster grip on reality tend to believe that whatever exists outside of their bubble is only there due to a lack of wealth, higher education, and a general false sense of supremacy. People have claimed that because Shakespeare's works feature things like Falconry and Italy, which were often exclusive to Noble birth folks, they must have been secretly written by someone of their class using Shakespeare's name and face as a front. 

    However, this claim quickly loses any and all footing when you actually examine Shakespeare's works. Because if he really was of Noble birth, he should have known that Padua does not have a Harbor, Bohemia does not have a coastline, France does not have Lions, and Ancient Rome did not have clocks. At least, not the kinds of clocks we tend to think of. 

    The truth is that Shakespeare's works are so universal that anyone can apply them to any context, making them some of the most adaptive and relatable plays ever created. This brings me to my next question. 

Why and how are Shakespeare's plays so adaptable? 

    When Shakespeare was writing his plays, the theater was much simpler than it is today. In his time, theater consisted of a simple stage with little to no set pieces, a handful of props, simple yet elegant costumes, and maybe a few musicians. Oh, and of course the actors. Because of this bare-bones approach, Shakespeare's plays often relyed upon character relationships, comedic interactions when applicable, and witty dialogue. 

    Since they were originally written for such an open concept, they remained timeless (save for the classical choices in grammar) and openly applicable to nearly any given theme or presentation. There is no limit to how Shakespeare's works can be adapted to any given medium or theme. Even if you don't utilize the original text. 

Case in point: 

Romeo & Juliet 

Richard III

The Tempest 

Macbeth 

    None of these films are adapted directly from Shakespeare's works, but they take enough inspiration and play with the same general themes and ideas to make the connection clear. Believe it or not, Shakespeare has had an influence on storytelling in more ways than one. 

How can I better understand Shakespeare? 

    One way to understand Shakespeare is to see his works in action. Provided you attend a decent theater company with a talented cast and director, the play should speak for itself. For a more in-depth approach, it can help to examine some of the histories of his time. Having a better understanding of what life was like in Shakespeare's time will provide plenty of context for why and how Shakespeare wrote his plays the way he did. You don't need a master's degree, just a decent understanding of the time. 

    Of course, the best way to understand Shakespeare, at least in my opinion, is to perform it. Rather you're volunteering at a local theater, reading some lines with friends, or reciting a sonnet in the shower, when you take some time to put the words into action, their meaning and relevance will become clearer. That is one of the many beauties of Shakespeare; gaining understanding through action. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.