What Makes Shakespeare's Words Timeless?

Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright and poet, left an indelible mark on literature with his profound wisdom and eloquent language. His works have been translated into many languages and continue to captivate audiences around the world. This article will delve into six aspects of Shakespeare's writing that contribute to their enduring appeal.

How Do Shakespeare's Words Reflect Human Nature?

One of the reasons why Shakespeare's words remain relevant is that they reflect human nature in a way that transcends time. His characters are complex and multi-dimensional, exhibiting both admirable qualities and flaws common to humanity. Through his plays, he explores themes such as love, power, ambition, jealousy, betrayal and redemption - all universal emotions felt by people across cultures.

For instance, in "Hamlet," Prince Hamlet grapples with moral dilemmas as he navigates his father's murder while contemplating revenge or forgiveness. Similarly in "Macbeth," Lady Macbeth struggles with guilt after orchestrating her husband's rise to power through regicide.

These portrayals resonate deeply with readers because they expose our own vulnerabilities and encourage us to introspect about our actions' consequences.

Why Are Shakespearean Phrases So Memorable?

Another reason for the longevity of Shakespearean phrases is their memorable structure. Many of these phrases are iambic pentameter lines which follow a rhythmic pattern (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM). This rhythm makes them easy to recite or quote from memory.

"Doublet doublet boyne thy head upon my shoulder." From Romeo & Juliet

"Friends friends thine eyes be two full moons weeping tears". From Romeo & Juliet

The use of rhyme also adds musicality making it easier for people to remember these phrases long after reading them once.

How Does Language Evolve Through Time?

Shakespeare was known for coining new words by combining existing ones or inventing completely new terms based on Latin roots (a practice called neologism). He used 17th-century English vocabulary but incorporated elements from other languages like Latin which has contributed significantly towards enriching modern English vocabulary.

Moreover some words invented by him have become part of everyday language:

Bedazzled: meaning extremely impressed.

Fashionable: fashionable

Lonely: lonely

Majestic: majestic

Sanctimonious: sanctimonious

His influence on language can be seen even today when we express ourselves using expressions like "To be or not to be", "Love is blind", etc., which were first coined by him.

6 What Impact Have These Quotes Had On Popular Culture?

Over time various artists including musicians poets writers filmmakers actors have drawn inspiration from these quotes incorporating them into their work either directly quoting verbatim or rephrasing them slightly adapting it accordingly

In conclusion there are several factors contributing towards making Shakespeare’s quotes timeless classics including reflecting human nature creating memorable structures evolving language shaping popular culture among others His works continue inspiring generations worldwide proving true artistry never fades away