“To be or not to be…that is the question”.
William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s greatest dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet and the “Bard of Avon”.
I grew up in Stratford upon Avon (where Shakespeare was born) and went to Holy Trinity Church (where Shakespeare was buried) so my childhood was full of Shakespeare (wherever I liked it or not!). Saying that, I loved growing up in Stratford!
This was a modern take on ‘As you like it’.
Shakespeare’s Birthday Parade
Every year, on the anniversary of his birthday, there was a big parade around the town which was always great fun (although I used to get a little shy!). People dressed up, there were marching bands and people danced down the streets!
The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre (RSC) in Stratford upon Avon performs Shakespeare’s plays throughout the year. Sometimes they perform modern versions of the plays but the traditional language is always spoken.
This was a modern take on ‘As you like it’.
The play that I remember very fondly was ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ performed by a cast from India. They included incredible music, amazing dance routines and the stage was made of sand!
Anyway, what I want you to think about the following ‘Big Questions’.
- Why is William Shakespeare considered one of the most famous writers in the world?
- Shakespeare wrote his plays over 400 years ago. Why do you think people still go to theatres to see them performed?
This article may help you answer the questions-click here to access the article.
Miss Gorick and Mrs Healy xx
For a printable version of the blog, click here Topic-Monday
William Shakespeare was not the only play right of this time but the amount of work he produced together with his depth of thinking, his knowledge of historical and then current events have made him the most important play write ever. No one has come anywhere near his level.
Hello Miss Gorick! Here are my answers for the big question:
1. He wrote many types of plays and built his own theatre
2. Because he is one of the best play writers in history
Good Morning miss ,
Here are my answers:
1) Shakespeare was considered one of the most famous writer in the world Because he wrote famous plays and he even has his own theatre The Globe.
2) People still go to the theatre to see the plays because they were really famous and Shakespeare was the creator of them.
Hi Javier 🙂 You’re right, he does have own theatre! Have you ever been? I’ve never been but if it rains you get wet as it doesn’t have a roof!
1) He created new words like eyeball or lonely. He also wrote poetry and published a book filled with 154 sonnets.
2) I think people watch his plays because he wrote comedy’s and tragedy’s and all that comes in between. Also the actors can pull a modern take on it.
Morning Nina 🙂 Thank you for your comment, some of his sonnets are beautiful!
1) William Shakespeare is considered one of the most famous writers because he created a new writing style that differed from other writers of his time. The themes of his stories have a powerful use of language, they are beautifully structured, and they are still relevant today.
2) People still go to the theatres to see Shakespeare’s plays because we can relate to the characters. The characters displayed strong human behaviour through their thoughts and feelings. Similarly, to our class, people go to educate on how plays were performed during Shakespeare’s time.
Hi Anahi 🙂 You have thought carefully and I agree that his stories are beautifully structured! Have you ever seen or read any Shakespeare?
William Shakespeare is one of the most famous writers because he developed new writing techniques. He is famous for his uniqueness of writing plays.
People still go to see his plays because he invented a new style of plays. William Shakespeare made his plays very interesting and that’s why we still watch them today.
Hi Aryan! Thank you for your comment 🙂 You’re right that he did develop new writing techniques.
Can you name any of his plays?
Hi Miss Gorick, I have read A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Othello, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing and As You Like It. I also went to the Globe Theatre to see The Tempest.
Hi Anahi 🙂 You have read some great stories there, some of Shakespeare’s most famous ones. I would love to visit the Globe Theatre and I remember studying The Tempest during my GCSEs!
William Shakespeare is one of the most famous writers because of the emotional power he created in his plays and poems.
People still go to watch his plays because he was writing plays which have different and unique themes other than just comedy and tragedy. For example, Romeo and Juliet; Tragedy and romance. Othello; Jealousy and self-deception.
Hi Laetitia 🙂 I hadn’t thought of that, you’re right that Shakespeare’s plays had multiple themes!
Hello Everyone,
I think Shakespeare is still remembered today because he was a great play writer and his plays were great.He developed new writing techniques and his plays were very creative and were so good he was the best of his time which means we still remember his greatness today.
I think many of his plays are still remembered today because a lot of people liked them which means they never forgot about them and encourage people to see it, and also want to see it again.They also talk to their children about it and William becomes a great success,he is then remembered as one of the greatest play writers of that time,theatre period,and play writer who will be remembered throughout history because of his amazing plays.
You’re right that these famous people of the past are ‘passed through’ generations by parents talking to their children! I had never thought of it like that before, thank you Jade!
Good afternoon,
Shakespeare was so famous because he created a new style of language and amazing and powerful plays.
I think people still go and watch his plays because if he was very famous, his plays must be very fun and different to watch.
Hi Sergio, thank you for your answers! Have you seen any of his plays?
Q1) William Shakespeare is considered as one of the most famous writers in the world because he did not only write but he also wrote plays from the books he wrote. He also introduced many new words to the English language, some that we still use today.
Q2) People still go to the theatre to see the acts written by Shakespeare because they would like to listen to some of the language that he introduced and because people find that all of the plays are famous and very interesting.
I forget that he introduced many new words, thank you Elly!
Hello Miss Gorick!These are my answers:
1) Shakespeare is considered to be one of the greatest play writes in the world. This is because he created new words to better suit his plays as well as turning his plays into books.
2) I think people still go to watch theatre plays today (when not in quarantine!) because it’s great to see old plays come to life again with anew modern twist.
I agree, seeing old plays with a modern twist must be wonderful! I look forward to the day when we can all go to the theatre once again!
As Antonia said Shakespeare was not the only playwright of his time but the exceptional stories were to be remembered forever. He spent much of his time and knowledge on his plays which are all unique and special in their own way. We must not forget the many words Shakespeare created in his time.
I believe people still watch his numerous plays because they were really exceptional and it is interesting to see where so many of our words come from. Everyone enjoys them for there is always one theme for everyone.
Hi Jeanne! It is great to hear from you ? You have made some great points points about Shakespeare’s use of language-well done!
1) Shakespeare is considered one of the world’s best writer because he made theatre plays for every one to enjoy and so everyone could be represented in them. He also invented over 300 new words which helped shape modern English.
2) I think people still go to see Shakespeare’s plays because although they were written over 400 years ago, they still give the audience the same feeling, such as scared, happy, sad or serious, and even after such a long time, these feelings are felt every day.
Hi Gabriel 🙂 Thank you for commenting on the blog. I really like that you have thought about the feelings felt by the audience-that is a very important part of theatre!
Well done.
Hi Paloma ! Thank you for sending me your work on Shakespeare 🙂 I really like that you have commented on the ‘richness of his language’ as I think that is one of the reasons which made him so famous!