Shakespeare - Why Is He Still so Widely Studied and Relavent Today?
Anaylaze why Shakespeare is relevant and so widely studied and performed today?
Denise Ooi
The History of Theatre
Mrs
24 September 2008 For over four hundred years, the works of British playwright William Shakespeare has remained fundamental in the role of theatre, study of the English language and presumably, skills in the study of business management as critics claim. 1
Shakespeare's works had cultured the stage all over the world as well as in the development of English literature, which was amongst his contributions to the Westernized societies. Another significant contribution of his works is the expansion of the English language by over 1700 commonly used words and phrases. This is clear evidence of an ever-lasting reminiscence of his works. 2
His works include around thirty-eight plays which had survived are grouped into three categories, namely comedy, tragedy and history. Shakespeare also produced fine poetry and sonnets. All of these have been studied and performed world wide in many different languages. 3
The provenance of his works is dated during the Elizabethan era in London, where royalties and people from the higher social strata patronised his productions. 4 During this time, the stage had very much depended on words to communicate the plays to the members of the audience. There was an absence of theatre technology, props and other general forms of visual media unlike today, where modern theatre has greatly advanced. 5 Therefore Elizabethans London had very much likely encouraged the result of the massive manipulation of language used in Shakespeare's writings.
Despite significant changes in the way theatre is run during the Elizabethan era and now, there are several common elements with regards to Shakespeare’s style and bodies of writings which had not changed with time.
Firstly, the plots in Shakespeare’s plays had unique contexts as well as characteristics which allowed them to be appreciated by people throughout
Denise Ooi
The History of Theatre
Mrs
24 September 2008 For over four hundred years, the works of British playwright William Shakespeare has remained fundamental in the role of theatre, study of the English language and presumably, skills in the study of business management as critics claim. 1
Shakespeare's works had cultured the stage all over the world as well as in the development of English literature, which was amongst his contributions to the Westernized societies. Another significant contribution of his works is the expansion of the English language by over 1700 commonly used words and phrases. This is clear evidence of an ever-lasting reminiscence of his works. 2
His works include around thirty-eight plays which had survived are grouped into three categories, namely comedy, tragedy and history. Shakespeare also produced fine poetry and sonnets. All of these have been studied and performed world wide in many different languages. 3
The provenance of his works is dated during the Elizabethan era in London, where royalties and people from the higher social strata patronised his productions. 4 During this time, the stage had very much depended on words to communicate the plays to the members of the audience. There was an absence of theatre technology, props and other general forms of visual media unlike today, where modern theatre has greatly advanced. 5 Therefore Elizabethans London had very much likely encouraged the result of the massive manipulation of language used in Shakespeare's writings.
Despite significant changes in the way theatre is run during the Elizabethan era and now, there are several common elements with regards to Shakespeare’s style and bodies of writings which had not changed with time.
Firstly, the plots in Shakespeare’s plays had unique contexts as well as characteristics which allowed them to be appreciated by people throughout
Bibliography: Absolute Shakespeare, "William Shakespeare", absoluteshakespeare.com, 20 March 2005 http://absoluteshakespeare.com/william_shakespeare.htm (10 September 2008). Aggarwal, Neelam. "William Shakespeare: playwright, poet, management guru: several critics suggest that Shakespeare 's plays could be taught not just in English Literature classes but also in Business Management lectures and leadership seminars. Shakespeare provides thought-provoking insights into issues related to power, authority, leadership, management of risk, of crisis, of emotion: ubiquitous issues in the contemporary business and management scene." Today 's Manager, 12 January 2008. <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1NDC/is_2008_Dec-Jan/ai_n24964166/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1> (10 September 2008). Brockett, Oscar Gross, and Franklin J. Hildy. History of the Theatre. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 1998. Department for Children, Schools and Families, "Shakespeare for all ages and stages", Teachernet Online Publications for schools, July 2008, http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/publications/shakespearebooklet/downloads/ShakespearesBooklet.pdf> (10 September 2008). Mining Co. Guide, “Shakespeare 's Influence”, About.com: Shakespeare, 23 September 2008, < http://shakespeare.about.com/library/weekly/aa042400a.htm > (10 September 2008). Saari, Peggy. "Culture And Recreation: Why Is Shakespeare Still So Widely Studied?" History Fact Finder, 01 September 2008 <http://www.enotes.com/history-fact-finder/ culture-recreation/why-shakespeare-still-widely-studied> (10 September 2008). Unknown author, “Romeo + Juliet (1996)", The Internet Movie Database, 13 March 1997, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/ (10 September 2008).