Contribution of Shakespeare to English drama or literature
Question: Discuss Shakespeare’s contribution to English drama or literature.
Introduction
William Shakespeare (1564 21616) is widely considered to be the greatest writer of the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. As a dramatist, he is, perhaps, second to none. His plays cost a spell, and triumphs are inspirable connected in his craftsmanship. His work has made a lasting influence on theatre and literature.
The domestic potential of characterization
In particular, he expanded the domestic potential of characterization, plot, language, and genre. His writing has also impacted a large number of notable novelist and poets over the years and continue to impact the new authority even today. Shakespeare is the most quoted writer in the history of English speaking world as many of his quotations have passed into everyday use age in English and other languages.
Master of language
Shakespeare contributed to English literature greatly. He wrote 37 plays including tragedy, comedy, tragi-comedy, and historical plays. his famous plays are “Hamlet”, “Othello”, “King Lear”, “Macbeth”, “Romeo and Juliet” “The Merchant of Venice” etc. His works have been a major influence on the subsequent theatre. He transformed English theatre by expanding expectations about what could be accompanied by plot and language.
Integrated characterization with plot
Shakespeare’s plot is integrated with the character in such a way that, if the main character is any different, the plot changes completely, for example, in particular, in plays such as “Hamlet”.
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A new style of drama by mixing tragi-comic elements
In “Romeo and Juliet”, Shakespeare’s blending of tragedy and comedy together have created a new romantic-tragedy genre. Earlier, romance was not considered a suitable subject for tragedy but Shakespeare brought the change of this trend. In King Lear, Shakespeare deliberately uses two plots of different sources. He jokes with spectacular violence for the purpose of mixing comic elements with a serious tragedy.
Self-revelation of the characters
Through his soliloquies, Shakespeare showed how plays could explore a character’s inner motives and conflicts. Up until Shakespeare, soliloquies were only used by playwrights to introduce, convey information, and reveal plans. His themes regarding the human condition make him more acclaimed than any of his contemporaries. Humanism and contact with popular thinking gave vitality to his language. He represented English people more concretely not as the puppets. Nowadays, soliloquy has got its new in the novel that is called stream of consciousness.
Versatile genius
Shakespeare united the three main streams of literature: verse, poetry, and drama. To the versification of the English language, he imparted his eloquence and variety giving the highest expressions with elasticity of language. In his poetry and drama, Shakespeare saved the language from being vagueness and Infused actuality and vividness. His works marked the beginning of the modernization of the English language as many Shakespearean words had about 17000 more English words than the contemporary educated person. He has contributed to the standardization of the English language as many of Shakespeare’s words and phrases have been embedded in the English language. Such as “Be all and End all”.
Conclusion
To calculate, we can say that Shakespeare’s contribution to English drama as well as English literature is incalculable.
