Shakespeare’s Influence on English Literature and Language Development
Many writers of our history have influenced modern and classical English literature and language. No writers; however, have made such an impact as William Shakespeare. This Renaissance writer, poet, and play write has created a lasting legacy for himself. Shakespeare is considered the greatest English writer of all time (Barrie). His work was very impactful to the evolution of English throughout history. Shakespeare was vital to the development of both the English language, as well as its literature.
Many of William Shakespeare's works have contributed to the development of the English language. A multitude of the popular expressions or terms that have been used throughout
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For example, before Shakespeare’s innovation of English literature, soliloquies had a different use. Commonly used in dramatic plays, soliloquies are the thoughts a character thinks out loud to him or herself. They were used to introduce a character, scene, or provide information to the reader. William Shakespeare diverged from this traditional use of the literary device and changed the way it was implemented in English writing. His unique use of soliloquies was primarily to explore a deeper understanding of the characters in Shakespeare’s plays and provide insight into their motives, thought process, conflicts, and emotions (Mandell). Shakespeare’s alternative use for the literary device allowed for readers to comprehend the actions and qualities of each character. Having a deeper understanding of the personalities in a play allows the reader to have a greater appreciation for the characters. William Shakespeare’s unique use of soliloquies has impacted the way a reader develops a greater understanding for events and characters in English literature today. Shakespeare’s innovative writing led to a deeper understanding of written work and was vital in the development of English …show more content…
He introduced almost 3,000 new words into our vocabulary. Many of the expressions that Shakespeare created in his writing are still often used today. Additionally, William Shakespeare is known for his clever insults. He used shocking and comical language to describe negative qualities displayed in his characters. Audience members attending Elizabethan plays found these insults to be amusing. Today, people still consider Shakespeare’s insults to be clever and relative in our modern English language. An example of a Shakespearean insult used in our modern language is when someone says I will bite my thumb at you. When using this insult people are implying the use of the middle finger and intentionally disrespecting the other person. This insult comes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (Carnagie). William Shakespeare used intense and brilliant words to mock his characters in his plays that have stood the test of time and are still referred to in our modern language. Shakespeare was vital to the development of the English language due to his descriptive and clever
This shows just how much impact Shakespeare has had on the English. language, to still be able to find phrases that are 400 years old. existence today. Not only this, but the wide, complex spectrum of emotions created by The words Shakespeare uses add depth and underlying meaning to his
...somewhat to fit the modern English language. William Shakespeare was truly a legendary author that helped expand the English language we speak today. His remarkable work will help teach and influence English for many years to come.
William Shakespeare, poet and playwright, utilized humor and irony as he developed specific language for his plays, thereby influencing literature forever. “Shakespeare became popular in the eighteenth century” (Epstein 8). He was the best all around. “Shakespeare was a classic” (8). William Shakespeare is a very known and popular man that has many works, techniques and ways. Shakespeare is the writer of many famous works of literature. His comedies include humor while his plays and poems include irony. Shakespeare sets himself apart by using his own language and word choice. Shakespeare uses certain types of allusions that people always remember, as in the phrase from Romeo and Juliet, “star-crossed lovers”.
Wikipedia contributors. "William Shakespeare." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 23 Mar 2012. Web. 27 Mar 2012.
An example of this is when Juliet says “‘Tis thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What’s Montague? It is nor hands, nor foot, Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By another name would smell as sweet. So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, Retain That dear perfection which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name; and for that name, which is no part to thee, Take all myself.” ( Act. II Sc. 2 L. 38-49). This use of a soliloquy is important because it advances that plot by letting Romeo know how Juliet feels, and it gives Romeo character motive to speak to Juliet. Even though Shakespeare’s use of soliloquies benefits his writing, his use of asides are even
Understanding how Shakespeare uses language in this way and his craft to its fullest demonstrates how the...
Shakespeare has perhaps contributed the most to the English language of any writer known to man – literally. Over 1000 words and phrases that he coined as part of his plays and prose are now in common use across the globe. He changed nouns into verbs, verbs into adjectives, added on previously unheard-of prefixes and suffixes and in some cases made words out of nothing. Even culturally sensitive words such as ‘ode’ (The ANZACS) and scientific jargon (‘epileptic’) are in fact products of Shakespeare. Bernard Levin probably summed this up best when he wrote: “If you cannot understand my argument, and declare "It's Greek to me", you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you recall your salad days, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you act more in sorrow than in anger, if your wish is father to the thought, if your lost property has vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have played fast and loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle… had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, … - why, be that as it may, the more fool you, for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare;…” (Bernard Levin. From The Story of English. Robert McCrum, William Cran and Robert MacNeil. Viking: 1986).
William Shakespeare has become landmark in English literature. One must be familiar with the early days of English literature in order to comprehend the foundation of much of more modern literature’s basis. Shakespeare’s modern influence is still seen clearly in many ways. The success of Shakespeare’s works helped to set the example for the development of modern dramas and plays. He is also acknowledged for being one of the first writers to use any modern prose in his writings.
The use of puns is one prominent element in Shakespeare’s writing as it entertains the audience with references that can help better understand situations. In the play, the characters of working
In an overview according to Shakespeare Online, the esteemed playwright invented more than 1,700 words through various means such as combining words, adding suffixes and prefixes to already existing words, switching nouns into verbs, converting words into adjectives, and generating new words altogether (Mabillard). Some examples of words devised from Shakespeare include nouns “addiction” originating in Henry V, “exposure” from Troilus and Cressida, and “rant” introduced through Hamlet (Mabillard). In addition, Shakespeare coined countless cliches and phrases, many of which are still used on a daily basis. Currently, people are familiar with terms such as “break the ice” and to “kill with kindness” from The Taming of the Shrew, “wild-goose chase” from Romeo and Juliet, “heart of gold” from Henry V, and the popular “knock knock! who’s there?”
Shakespeare’s ability to mold the English language into eloquently written poetry gave him the ability to affect the language as he did. Hundreds of clichés that are used daily by English speakers were invented in Shakespeare’s writings. Few people are aware, but expressions such as “dead as a doornail” (Henry IV, Part II) or “something wicked this way comes” (Macbeth) can both be accredited to Shakespeare. In The Story of English, Bernard Levin writes that “if [the reader] cannot understand my argument, and [declares] ‘It's Greek to me’, you are quoting Shakespeare” (McCrum, Cran, MacNeil 99). Levin is simply reminding the reader that much of common English speech can be traced back to idioms used in Shakespeare’s writing. Shakespeare even took the liberty to invent words of his own, supposedly inventing over one thousand commonly used words. Shakespeare was able to create words in multiple ways, including changing nouns into verbs, changing verbs into adjectives, connecting words never before used together, adding prefixes and suffixes, and coming up with words that were completely original (pathguy.com). Shakespearian words include “assassination” and even “obscene” (McCrum, Cran, MacNeil 99), and other such words that are used by English speakers daily. Although a number of writers have used the English language to their advantage, no writer has taken the language to the level that Shakespeare was able to do.
Shakespeare is known all over the world as the greatest writer and pre-eminent dramatist in the English language. He defines what literature is today and has set the ultimate goal for any aspiring poet, playwright, or author. Some commenters believe his plays are timeless and will continue to be influential. However, as the decades go on, most believe that Shakespeare’s work must be disregarded because it is so outdated. Because of his use of language, his lack of connection, and his vigorous competition of notable poets and playwrights, Shakespeare must be deliberated as irrelevant in the 21st century.
Generally, when people think of Shakespeare, they tend to associate him with old English and plays like Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet. They wrongly disassociate him from modern English terms used by youth. People inaccurately think Shakespearean English and modern English are two very different things. However, Shakespeare authored a number of today’s catchphrases. Countless people quote Shakespeare without realizing! While many people know that William Shakespeare’s way with words rose high above his peers’, few recognize that Shakespeare devised several of today’s popular phrases, including, “it is all Greek to me”, “break the ice”, and “too much of a good thing”.
The style of communication used by William Shakespeare’s diverse characters originated in the court of English royalty (Renaissance). Shakespeare elevated the English language to a level of splendor that previous generations would not have deemed possible. Along with his use of the English language, he is also highly regarded for his ability to shift between comedy and tragedy. His plays display a range of complex character study to light-hearted farce (Renaissance). Shakespeare’s work displays verbal pyrotechnics that is seldom seen in even modern time (Renaissance). These writers changed the way we see words and our view of the world.
In his time, Shakespeare was the most popular playwright of London. As time passed, his smartness covers all others of his age; Jonson, Marlowe, Kyd, Greene, Dekker, Heywood—none had the craft or the kindness of character. He was the master of poetry writing and he did it well. He created the most vivid characters of the Elizabethan stage. His usage of language, both high and low, shows a remarkable fun and insight. His themes fit all generation even to this day.