William Shakespeare's influence extends from theatre and literature to present-day movies and the English language itself. Widely regarded as the greatest writer of the English language, and the world's pre-eminent dramatist, Shakespeare transformed European theatre by expanding expectations about what could be accomplished through characterization, plot, language and genre. Shakespeare's writings have also influenced a large number of notable novelists and poets over the years, including Herman Melville and Charles Dickens, and continue to influence new authors even today. Shakespeare is the most quoted writer in the history of the English-speaking world after the various writers of the Bible, and many of his quotations and neologisms have passed into everyday usage in English and other languages.
Read more about William Shakespeare's Influence: Changes in English At The Time, Influence On Theatre, Influence On European and American Literature, Influence On The English Language, See Also
Famous quotes containing the words william shakespeare, william, shakespeare and/or influence:
“I am the king of courtesy ... a Corinthian, a lad of mettle, a good boy.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Here lies the body of W. W.,
Who never more will trouble you, trouble you.”
—Anonymous. “On William Wilson, Tailor,” from H. J. Loaring’s Curious Records (1872)
“When this ring
Parts from this finger, then parts life from hence.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“We can trace almost all the disasters of English history to the influence of Wales.”
—Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966)