Shakespeare Studies

Anyone who argues to know English or has studied English cannot authoritatively say so without the input of Shakespeare’s English. Shakespeare’s literary studies remain the most outstanding and informative way of structuring English sentences. Despite the fact that Shakespeare did not earn a degree in college, his contribution legacy remains influential to the whole world. Today, he is the most liked and widely quoted English language writer. His dramas, sonnets and diction offer a good foundation in English structure. Therefore, this essay will argue in support of the argument that “a degree in English without Shakespeare is like an M.D. without a course in anatomy.”

It is only in Shakespeare’s work that diction is evident and it this implies that those who earn a degree in English without reading his work cannot understand the element of diction. It amounts to total fraud when one can argue to know such structural elements without in-depth knowledge of Shakespeare’s works. Shakespeare portrayed structured writing in his poetry and prose work which has helped in the standardization of English grammar and at the same time invented new English words.  He was actually among the first English writers who gave the new writing a structure to follow. Furthermore, he would use different writing styles in his plays and poetry works. These styles and diction provide people with the best way of learning English and without such knowledge, one will automatically lack structural knowledge in English styles. Moreover, Shakespeare also used words with simple meanings and with elements of great art and such contribution has left a remarkable legacy for other writers to mimic. Besides, Shakespeare employs the use of metaphors in his English work and this serves as this brings forth the metaphoric knowledge to others. An example of this metaphor is: “…It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich Jewel in an Ethiope’s ear…” (Traversi, 2015).

Additionally, doing a degree without Shakespeare’s English lacks the grammar required. Shakespeare played an influential role in the standardization of English grammar. Shakespeare revived and re-emphasized the use of suffixes, an element which is important in grammar and was hardly used during his time. Therefore, anyone who studies English grammar without reading the work of Shakespeare will be blank in English structural sentences without suffixes. Furthermore, Shakespeare’s writing showcased the rules that would be used in future in the English language. Although some Shakespeare’s spelling of some English words have been changed and improved, his grammar remains remarkable update.

Shakespeare’s work also expanded the English vocabulary. It is recommendable to note that he invented thousands of words that are used today in writing and communication through expansion of suffixes as well as prefixes and making verbs from nouns and also adjectives from verbs. In this particular expansion, the English language was further shaped. He is also praised to have modernized English with different phrases that remain to be quoted until today. The new phrases of English that he coined are still used in English. One recognizable example is “Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?”. These contributions helped Shakespeare to become an influential literary symbol in English works. Besides the use of the influential diction elements in his work, his sonnets also provide influence in language because he often used similes, rhyme and iambic among others and he remains the first poetry writer to use this literary technique. In the Murder of Gonzago, an example of a simile is “the revenger ends up becoming like the criminal he seeks to punish” (Woods, 2016). Such kind of work influenced some poets who until today use these techniques. Poets like Keats always kept Shakespeare’s works next to him when writing to promote creativity.

Unlike before the works of Shakespeare, there is the use of similes as well as imagery. Shakespeare was well known for his contribution to similes and imagery. In similes and imagery, he brought the sense of using strong words to illustrate images. Besides, his simile works gave a comprehensive description of an exact moment. He was also a master of explaining many phenomena in few words. An example is “It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich Jewel in an Ethiope’s ear…” (Traversi, 2015). Even though a number of his words influenced the poets, his playful work had a remarkable impact on the English literary world. His work has enhanced understanding of the literary works that was never the case before. Using blank versus technique was one of the best techniques that Shakespeare used in his dramatic work. Shakespeare’s use of blank versus technique is evident in the poetry workshop and this has influenced some contemporary English writers such as Christopher Marlow. An example of the soliloquy is “The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse, in a half an hour she promised to return” (Traversi, 2015). Similarly, he used soliloquies that also stand to influence many English speakers and writers.

Thus, today, many writers employ the use of this technique to showcase the inner conflict of different characters. Shakespeare was the first English user who seemed to follow the rules of the ancient writers in explaining his tragedies. For example, his tragedy about Romeo and Juliet influenced and continued to impact the English language in the whole world. Almost everywhere, there is mimicry of Shakespeare’s words of thought. In a nutshell, he is still the most influential writer that many people admire and has shaped English structure in great depth.

Without Shakespeare’s works, many people would not be in a position to construct different sentences and use phrases such as “thus with a kiss I die” (Traversi, 2015). Also, without Shakespeare’s work, the use of the famous line such as ‘to thine own self be true”, from writer Hamlet would not have been adopted. Due to these facts, it is the reason why Shakespeare continues to be remembered in the whole world. The works of Shakespeare have shed light on varied sentence structures that are used in English writing and communication.

In conclusion, the contribution of Shakespeare through the use of various structural elements like the dramas, sonnets and diction placed him at a better position to influence others on the use of English. In particular, his literary plays have been referred many times than any other writer. The importance of Shakespeare makes the illustration that “A degree in English without Shakespeare is like an M.D. without a course in anatomy, a fact. Therefore, Shakespeare has shaped the culture of speaking English and will remain as a worldwide contributor in English writing speaking and writing.

References

Traversi, D. A. (2015). From an Approach to Shakespeare. In Romeo and Juliet (pp. 13-40). Routledge.

Woods, G. (2016). Hamlet: The play within the play.