Source: Composite by G_marius
Shakespeare is probably the most praised and studied writer in history. Is all that attention and adulation justified or is Shakespeare overrated?
Shakespeare the genius
William Shakespeare is widely considered the best English-language writer of all times and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. His plays and poems shook the history of English literature and theatre. We owe him masterpieces such as Romeo and Juliette, Othello, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear, and Richard II. There are multiple Shakespeare festivals and companies and his plays continue to be shown all over the world.
The criticisms
However, the appreciation for Shakespeare is not unanimous. Some people argue that too much attention is devoted to Shakespeare. That his plays are not as enjoyable and interesting as generally assumed. They find Shakespeare's characters too charicaturesque or unidimensional. Others simply argue that there have been better English writers who just did not get as lucky as Shakespeare in attracting public attention. Do people genuinely enjoy his plays as much as they claim?
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1110 xp
341 posts
Hi Jodie, you are not the only one. I think we can see here a bit of herd behavior. Not many dare to criticized or say that Shakespeare may not be the ultimate writer (at least this should be more clearly explained). I find the stories too all over the top. Not sure why so many people say they relate to them. Difficult to identify with any of the characters. Other writers in English language and foreign languages have done a better job in mixing interesting plots and characters that are more down to earth. Shakespeare was an excellent writer but did not add so much more to old Greek dramas (very similar take on narrative).
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