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03.William Shakespeare
a.William Shakespeare is an English poet, playwright and actor, widely deemed as the greatest playwright and poet in the English language.
i.He is often called England ' s national poet and the Bard of Avon . He is also the greatest of all Elizabethan dramatists.
ii.His literary career falls into four periods. His extant works, including collaborations, consist of approximately 39 plays, 154 sonnets, 2 long narrative poems and a few other verses.
b.Shakespeare ' s narrative techniques were innovative and varied,including:
i.Soliloquies and Asides: These devices allowed characters to speak directly to the audience, revealing their inner thoughts, motives, and plans, thus deepening the audience's engagement with the narrative.
ii.Dramatic Irony: Shakespeare often employed this technique, where the audience knows more about the true nature of the events or the characters’situations than the characters themselves do, creating tension and emotional involvement.
iii.Symbolism and Imagery: He used symbolic elements and vivid imagery to enhance themes and emotions. For example, the storm in “King Lear" symbolizes the turmoil within Lear' s mind.
iv.Complex Characters: Shakespeare’s characters are deeply complex and multi-dimensional, contributing to layered and engaging narratives. They often evolve throughout the play, showing psychological depth and realism.
c.William Shakespeare's works cover a wide range of themes, reflecting his deep understanding of human nature and social dynamics. Here are some of the key themes found in his plays and sonnets:
i. Love and Romance: Love, often depicted in its many forms and complexities, is perhaps the most prevalent theme in Shakespeare's works. From the passionate, tragic love in " Romeo and Juliet" to the mature, enduring love in " The Tempest, " Shakespeare explores love's power, beauty, and often destructive capacity.
ii.Power and Ambition: Shakespeare frequently examines the effects of power and ambition on individuals and societies. "Macbeth" is a prime example, where the thirst for power leads to downfall and chaos,while "King Lear" shows the tragic consequences of misjudged loyalty and power distribution.
