Write a brief essay on Shakespeare’s contribution to English drama.
History of English Literature is a notable literary work by ___. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of History of English Literature.
Answer
Write a brief essay on Shakespeare’s contribution to English drama.
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is called the father of English Drama. He is the greatest literary figure of the Renaissance (1500-1660). He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and many poems. His works are full of deep emotions, strong characters, and beautiful words. Even after 400 years, his plays are still performed and loved worldwide. We discuss Shakespeare’s contribution to English drama below.
Created Many New Words: Shakespeare is very creative with language. He makes many new words. Some words he created are “gloomy,” “lonely,” “hurry,” “majestic,” and “fashionable.” He added over 1,700 new words to English! Shakespeare also made famous phrases that people use every day. Some examples are:
- “All that glitters is not gold” (The Merchant of Venice)—means not everything that looks good is really good.
- “A wild-goose chase” (Romeo and Juliet)—means looking for something that is impossible to find.
Wrote Many Great Plays: Shakespeare wrote 39 plays. His plays belong to three types—tragedy, comedy, and historical plays. His tragedies, like “Hamlet” and “Macbeth” show deep human emotions. In “Hamlet”, Hamlet cannot decide what he will do! Will he kill his uncle to take revenge for his father’s death or commit suicide? So, he says,
“To be, or not to be, that is the question.”
His comedies, like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Twelfth Night” are full of fun and humor. His historical plays like “Henry V” tell the stories of English kings. Each play has a unique style and message.
Created Complex Characters: Shakespeare’s characters feel real/human. They are not perfect. They have strengths and weaknesses. For example, Hamlet is intelligent but confused and sad. Macbeth is brave but greedy. Othello is strong but jealous. His female characters, like Lady Macbeth and Portia, are also powerful and smart. These characters make his plays exciting and meaningful.
Used Powerful Language: Shakespeare’s plays are full of poetic language. HeUnlock this study guide now