Why is Shakespeare Important?

(Because he’s awesome!!!)

He illustrates a time period

Many aspects of Elizabethan society are present in his plays.MonarchyCourtCharacters who represent everyday common, people

He was the most famous playwright of all time

• Uses themes that are universal and stand the test of time.– Love– Envy– Greed– Friendship– Power– Deception

Universal Themes

These are things people experience throughout history around the world.

Shakespeare, through his plays, explains the human condition.

He Affects Our Language

Popular words and phrases• “Love is blind,” “milk of human

kindness,” etc.No standard spelling or meaning for

words in this time periodHis works celebrated the “beauty of the written word.”

• No scenery and very few props – he had to paint a picture with words.

Shakespeare gave the theatre legitimacy

He was good at his craft and was well-respected by the people in authority, as well as by the general public.• If the queen likes him, then everyone

should like him.