Introduction: William Shakespeare More Than a Name, a Living Influence

William Shakespeare is not just a figure frozen in textbooks or exam syllabi; he is a living presence in modern language, storytelling and human thought. Four centuries after his death, his words still breathe through films, novels, political speeches, classrooms and everyday conversations. Phase like “break the ice,” “wild goose chase,” or “all the glitters is not gold” are spoken daily by people who may never have read a single Shakespeare play – yet they are unknowingly using his language.

What makes Shakespeare extraordinary is not merely his fame, but his psychological depth, linguistic innovation and timeless understanding of human nature, love, ambition, jealousy, power, guilt, betrayal, hope – these are not historical emotions; they are external. Shakespeare didn’t write for a single age.

He wrote for every age and would come after him. This article explores Shakespeare not as a distant literary monument, but as a human writer, shaped by his life, his era and his genius – and explains why he still matters in the 21^st century.

Early Life and Family Background of William Shakespeare:

William Shakespeare was born in April 1594, in the small market down of Stratford-Upon-Avon, located in Warwickshire. England while the exact date of his birth, is unknown, church records confirm that he was baptized on 26 April 1564, making it likely that he was born a few days earlier.

Shakespeare father, John Shakespeare was a glove maker and leather merchant, who also held several civic positions, including alderman and bailiff (similar to a mayor). His mother Mary Arden came from a respected rural family and inherited farmland. This combination placed Shakespeare’s family comfortably within the middle class – not aristocratic, but far from poor.

This background important. Shakespeare grew up observing both ambition and instability. His father’s early success was followed by financial decline. Which likely exposed young Shakespeare to the realities of appears repeatedly in his plays.

Shakespeare was one of eight children though several of his siblings died young, a common reality in the 16^th century. Early exposure to debate illness and uncertainty likely contributed to the emotional seriousness found in his tragedies.

Education and intellectual Formation of William Shakespeare:

Shakespeare probably attended the kings New School in Stratford one of the best grammar school of time. Though no direct records survive his father’s civic status would have qualified him for free education there.

The curriculam was intense and havily focused on:

• Latin grammar and rhetoric,
• Classical authors such as ollid virgil seneca and plautus,
• Memorization translation and public speaking.

This classical foundation shaped Shakespeare’s writing style. His later works show deep familiarity with Roman History, Mythology and Drama Structure. Importantly Shakespeare did not attend university which later critics used to question his authorship a debate now considered largely irrelevant.

What Shakespeare lacked in formal higher education he compensated for with exceptional observation reading and imaginative power.

Marriage and the “Lost Years”

At the age of 18 Shakespeare “Married Anne Hathaway” who was eight years older than him. Shortly  after, they had a daughter Susana followed  by twins Hammnet and Judith in 1585. The death of Hammnet at 11 later deeply influenced Shakespeare’s tragic writing, especially themes of loss and grief.

Between 1985 and 1592, Shakespeare disappear from historical records – a period scholars refer to as the “ Lost Year.”  Various theories suggest that he worked as:

• A Schoolteacher
• A lawyer’s assistant
• A traveling actor
• A soldier

While we may never know the truth. What is clear is that when Shakespeare reappears in London, he does so as a fully formed dramatist, suggesting years of intense learning and experience.

Entry into the Theatre World:

By the early 1590s, Shakespeare had established himself in London’s theatre scene as both an actor and playwright. Theatre at this time was booming – popular, competitive and sometimes controversial.

Shakespeare became associated with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, one of the most successful acting companies of the era. Later under King James I, the company was renamed The King’s Men, giving Shakespeare royal patronage and financial stability. He was not just a writer – for – hire. Shakespeare was a shareholder, which meant he earned profits from performances. This financial independence allowed his creative freedom that many playwright lacked.

Major Works: Plays and Poetry:

Shakespeare’s body of works include:

• 39 plays
• 154 sonnets
• Several long narrative poems

His plays are traditionally divided into:

• Hamlet
• Macbeth
• King Lear
• Othello
• Romeo and Juliet

These works explore ambition, power, madness, jealousy, moral conflict, and human suffering.

Comedies:

• A midsummer Night’s dream
• Twelfth Night
• As you like it
• The Merchant of Venice.

These focus on love, mistaken identity, social roles and reconciliation.

History:

• Richard III
• Henry V
• Henry VI (part 1&2)

These plays examine leadership, legitmacy, and national identity.

Romance (Late plays)

• The Tempest
• The Winter’s Tale
• Cymbeline

These blend tragedy and comedy with themes of forgiveness and redemption.

Shakespeare Writing Style and Language:

Shakespeare revolutionized English Literature through:

1. BLANK VERSE

He mastered iambic pentameter, making dialogue sound natural yet poetic.

• WORD CREATION

He introduced and popularized over 1,700 English Words, including lonely, majestic, gloomy and assassination.

• PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPTH

Shakespeare was among the first writers to depict complex inner conflict, especially through soliloquies.

Characters like Hamlet and Macbeth think aloud, allowing readers to witness moral struggle in real time.

Central themes in Shakespeare’s Works

Some recurring themes include:

• Power and Ambition (Macbeth)
• Love and Desire (Romeo and Juliet)
• Identity and diguise (Twelfth night)
• Time and Mortality (Sonnets)
• Appearance vs Reality (Hamlet)
• Justice and Mercy (The Merchant of Venice)

These themes are universal, not  bound by culture or century.

Why Shakespeare Still Matters Today:

Shakespeare matters because:

• His stories reflect real human psychology.
• His language shaped modern English.
• His themes remain relevant in politics, relationships, and society.
• His works adapt easily into films, novels, and modern settings.

From Hollywood films to Netflix adaptations, Shakespeare’s influence is everywhere.