William Shakespeare's Influence

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:

    “A thousand moral paintings I can show
    That shall demonstrate these quick blows of Fortune’s
    More pregnantly than words.”
    —William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    “Now there are nine. There’ll be more, many more. They’re coming for me now. And then they’ll come for you.”
    —Robb White, and William Castle. Watson Pritchard (Elisha Cook)

    “Men may construe things after their fashion,
    Clean from the purpose of the things themselves.”
    —William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    “Perhaps I stand now on the eve of a new life, shall watch the sun rise and disappear behind a black cloud extending out into a grey sky cover. I shall not be deceived by its glory. If it is to be so, there is work and the influence that work brings, but not happiness. Am I strong enough to face that?”
    —Beatrice Potter Webb (1858–1943)