The Greatest

So, why is William Shakespeare always touted as the greatest writer in the English language? Well, there are many reasons. Here are just a few:

1. His understanding of human nature is so keen. His plays are full of universal themes and recognizable characters who still speak to us today, 400 years after he wrote them! In A Midsummer Night's Dream: the supernatural world vs. the natural, and of course the tragedy and comedy of being in love with someone who does not love you back. In Hamlet: questioning existence and one's place in the world, and dysfunctional families. In Macbeth: revenge and ambition. In Julius Caesar: manipulation and leadership. In Romeo and Juliet: infatuation vs. love, and teenagers who are misunderstood by their parents.

2. His masterful use of language still challenges us with its meanings. Word play and wit abound on every page; his double and triple meanings still today keep us shaking our heads at Shakespeare's seemingly effortless understanding of the power of words. Even without any stage directions, we understand so much about what happens in each play and about his characterization through the words his characters speak. Dogberry is a bumbling idiot who messes up nearly half of the words he chooses. Romeo speaks in high poetic verse when he is speaking to Juliet. The country bumpkin actors in A Midsummer Night's Dream are clearly uneducated and slow-witted; and the juxtaposition of Bottom and Titania is a classic match-up of a fool and a lady, all illustrated only through the words they speak. Some of the most commonly quoted lines are from Shakespeare's plays or poems: "To be or not to be, that is the question." "Beware the ides of March." "What fools these mortals be." "What's in a name?" All of these and more are recognizable to most English speakers.

3. His invention of words and phrases outshines any single other human being. According to Robert McCrum in The Story of English, fully 1700 words were coined by Shakespeare, but in addition to these, he changed words and used them in new ways as well. He used nouns as verbs and verbs as nouns. And let's not forget the many phrases that he invented as well. "Into thin air," "green-eyed jealousy," and "suspect foul play," all come directly from Shakespeare. He loved to play with language, and because his words were immediately performed on stage, they entered the English lexicon more quickly and forcefully than other writers' words.

4. His plots, although not all entirely original, have become the standard and recognizable plots for modern stories and films. Particularly the romantic comedy genre owes much to Shakespeare's standard plot sequence of: guy and girl meet; guy and girl have a misunderstanding; all is fixed through a series of arguments and obstacles; guy and girl get married and live happily ever after. His ability to tell stories is magical, and writers are still today copying his style and plots.

Read a play or a poem by Shakespeare. Better yet: attend a play. After your experience you too will likely agree that Shakespeare deserves the title of greatest writer in the English language!