Shakespeare is for all Time
It is said that literature is timeless, that every piece of writing comes from the last and turns into the next. This is particularly true for William Shakespeare. Shakespeare is considered to be one of the, if not the greatest playwright of all time. His captivating plays have stood the test of time and are just as influential today as they were when they were first written. In an attempt to capture the essence of Shakespeare, Ben Jonson the poet and playwright, says Shakespeare “[is] not of age, but for all time”. Ben Jonson is spot on in his description of Shakespeare’s work; the captivating characters created by Shakespeare perfectly reflect the complexity of human nature, the themes and ideas that emerge from …show more content…
The characters in Shakespeare’s most famous play, Hamlet, are an outstanding example of relatable Shakespearian characters. Although not everyone is a Prince who is relentlessly trying to avenge the murder of their father, or a king who marries his sister-in-law, the fundamental struggles of the characters in Hamlet are very relatable. First, there is the man contemplating suicide, Hamlet. In his famous soliloquy, “to be or not to be” (3.1.56), contemplates “Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer/The slings and arrows of …show more content…
Lastly, the theme of being decisive is a very relatable and ubiquitous theme presented in Hamlet. What separates Hamlet for other tragic plays is the protagonist, Hamlet. Hamlet 's actions are continually being postponed. Hamlet is a character who is incapable of making decisive decisions; his tragic flaw is his inability to act. This tragic flaw is what makes Hamlet hesitant towards killing Claudius. Just after criticizing himself for delaying is revenge, Hamlet decides to use the play to expose Claudius ' guilt, rather than covertly killing Claudius, Hamlet feels it necessary to make absolutely sure Claudius is guilty. He says that “the play 's the thing / Wherein [he] [will] catch the conscience of the King"(2.2.603). Everyone at one time or another has been indecisive or slow to act. Although this may not be a very conventional theme it is a very relatable one. In conclusion, Shakespeare’s plays have been able to survive and still remain relevant today because his universal themes engage readers because of their ubiquity. Not only are the themes in Hamlet universal, but so are the situations that the characters find themselves
It is said that literature is timeless, that every piece of writing comes from the last and turns into the next. This is particularly true for William Shakespeare. Shakespeare is considered to be one of the, if not the greatest playwright of all time. His captivating plays have stood the test of time and are just as influential today as they were when they were first written. In an attempt to capture the essence of Shakespeare, Ben Jonson the poet and playwright, says Shakespeare “[is] not of age, but for all time”. Ben Jonson is spot on in his description of Shakespeare’s work; the captivating characters created by Shakespeare perfectly reflect the complexity of human nature, the themes and ideas that emerge from …show more content…
The characters in Shakespeare’s most famous play, Hamlet, are an outstanding example of relatable Shakespearian characters. Although not everyone is a Prince who is relentlessly trying to avenge the murder of their father, or a king who marries his sister-in-law, the fundamental struggles of the characters in Hamlet are very relatable. First, there is the man contemplating suicide, Hamlet. In his famous soliloquy, “to be or not to be” (3.1.56), contemplates “Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer/The slings and arrows of …show more content…
Lastly, the theme of being decisive is a very relatable and ubiquitous theme presented in Hamlet. What separates Hamlet for other tragic plays is the protagonist, Hamlet. Hamlet 's actions are continually being postponed. Hamlet is a character who is incapable of making decisive decisions; his tragic flaw is his inability to act. This tragic flaw is what makes Hamlet hesitant towards killing Claudius. Just after criticizing himself for delaying is revenge, Hamlet decides to use the play to expose Claudius ' guilt, rather than covertly killing Claudius, Hamlet feels it necessary to make absolutely sure Claudius is guilty. He says that “the play 's the thing / Wherein [he] [will] catch the conscience of the King"(2.2.603). Everyone at one time or another has been indecisive or slow to act. Although this may not be a very conventional theme it is a very relatable one. In conclusion, Shakespeare’s plays have been able to survive and still remain relevant today because his universal themes engage readers because of their ubiquity. Not only are the themes in Hamlet universal, but so are the situations that the characters find themselves