Why is Shakespeare considered one of the most famous writers?

Answer 1

Shakespeare's works have been a major influence on subsequent theatre. Not only did Shakespeare create some of the most admired plays in Western literature, he also transformed English theatre by expanding expectations about what could be accomplished through characterisation, plot, action, language, and genre. His poetic artistry helped raise the status of popular theatre, permitting it to be admired by intellectuals as well as by those seeking pure entertainment That's a good answer. I've also heard it said that Shakespheare's contribution to cultural history during the modern period is the invention of the personality or the psyche. Can someone expalin this?

Answer 2

timing: historical / linguistic depth of wit creative with language musicality depth of psychological insight relevance of subject: all things human and divine breadth of subject: tragic to comic / good to evil a long history of avocates and supporters originality

Answer 3

He worked in poetry and drama. Most great writers are not very good outside their main field of drama or poetry or fiction--they succeed at one only.

He was successful in comedy and tragedy. Moliere and Wilde and Shaw are great in comedy, less so in serious works. Tolstoy, Kafka, and the Brontes don't really have funny moments. Shakespeare excelled at both.

He has lasted the test of time. Racine and Corneille, great in their day, are virtually unheard of now.

He translates--Shakespeare is very popular in Germany, Japan, South Africa, and lots of other places. Other writers are more "local," and don't cross borders easily.

He is quoted often, even without people knowing it. He is adapted, subverted, stolen from, honored, and borrowed from in other writers' works.

Answer 4

Briefly, character development and quality of writing. Shakespeare's characters are developed so that they have plausible and often conflicting desires, which motivate the characters and cause them to do what they do. In an early play, Titus Andronicus, the villain Aaron says he does bad things because he is a bad man. In a slightly later play the villain Richard III explains his villainy by explaining that because he is not suited to be a lover, he may as well try to be king, and who cares about the consequences. An even later villain, Iago in Othello, leaves contradictory hints as to the root of his villainy, so it appears that even he doesn't really understand it.

Shakespeare took care that even his minor characters have depth and plausibility, making them fun to play and fun to watch.

They also get great things to say. Shakespeare's characters get to say lines that express emotions, visions, states of affairs and philosophical speculation in the most beautiful way. Also jokes. Either way, a Shakespeare line is rarely a throwaway. Although it may take some time, the lines always seem to give more and more. This is a reason why Shakespeare lovers can go back to the plays again and again and still get more out of them, why they can still be fresh after 400 years of continual performance.

Although Shakespeare did not think up plots, he certainly knew how to structure a play, using parallel plotlines and situations to reinforce the audience's perception of what is going on.

Answer 5

Shakespeare wrote more than thirty plays, many of which have been part of the world repertory since their premier. Many of his over a hundred and fifty sonnets are among the best ever written in the English language. He is studied in English, literature, drama, and theater class the world over.

Answer 6

Shakespeare has endured as the world's greatest writer because he used themes that are still relevant today and people can relate to the stories. Some themes he wrote about include love, tragedy, madness, honesty, and think before you act. Shakespeare also created words and phrases we still use today.

Answer 7

"Famous" means "known by a lot of people". If you asked anyone anywhere in the world "What is the name of someone who wrote plays?" the answer you would almost certainly get is "Shakespeare". You would get this answer from people who had never read or seen a play by Shakespeare or anyone else, and from people who do not even speak English, the language Shakespeare wrote in.

Answer 8

Because he IS the world's greatest writer, or at least the greatest writer in the English language. It's the good stuff that tends to last while the fluff gets blown away over time.