GCE A/L English Literature - Made Easy

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is one of the most celebrated names in English Literature.

Being a literary genius Shakespeare lived in the age of Elizabeth drama. Based on rather unusual themes Shakespeare's drama and poems won extreme popularity. Introducing different concepts, his style, rhythm, tone and wording maintain the concept and the theme alive. Shakespeare's poetic drama explores universal themes.

His sonnets usually promote 'contemplative thoughts and emotions' in a forceful manner, "shall I compare thee to a summer's day" promotes "contemplative thoughts and emotions" in a forceful manner. Shakespeare's language style and wording create the imagery with reality and emphasis. Shakespeare's sonnets usually have three four lined stanzas followed by a rhyming couplet.

His argument in the sonnet "shall I compare thee to a Summer's day." is carefully developed by the three four lined stanzas abab, cdcd, efef and the conclusion followed by the rhyming couplet g.g. The effective imagery in his sonnets is a subtle blend of poetic genius.

Shakespeare's soliloquy is an outstanding piece of poetic genius. The metaphors and imagery used in his soliloquy highlight the "Speech rhythms and supposetion of a person thinking out one's doubts is remarkable" (Angela Hussain).

In 'Julius Caesor', one of Shakespeare's widely read drama, Brutus' soliloquy reveals his character, motives and ambitions.

"Evil comes from the betrayal of trust" The passage itself is "unified with the theme...."

Shakespeare's used of regular type of blank verse is used in a prolific manner to do away with the monotonous procedure prevailing. Thus employing "a varied medium of expression".

A rhyming couplet usually announcing the end. His ability to get the reader/spectator "poised between fantasy and reality" Getting his poetry unified in the theme bringing out clearly, reserving its impact.

Wilson Knight's idea of Shakespeare "extended metaphors" sometimes the metaphors develop the theme (Julius Caesor) "The metaphors link the passage to the general theme of the undesirability of unlimited power" and the result of being power hungry.

Shakespeare's use of "metaphors and images move and breathe with the speech rhythms" of a person with feeling of uncertainty. The shift in tone and rhythm in Shakespeare's poetry, predominating and the rhythm assuming a decided, resolute tone."

Mrs. C. Ekanayake,
Retd. Specialist Teacher Eng.,
St. Anne's College,
Kurunegala.