Shakespeare's works: list. William Shakespeare: creativity

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

We can safely say that this man changed the world, mentality, perception, attitude towards art as such. William Shakespeare, whose works are studied in the school curriculum, was a real genius. His plays and poems can be called a true encyclopedia of human relationships, a kind of mirror of life, a reflector of the shortcomings and strengths of human beings.

Great genius

Shakespeare's works are an impressive contribution to world literature. During his life, the great Briton created seventeen comedies, eleven tragedies, a dozen chronicles, five poems and one hundred and fifty-four sonnets. It is interesting that their subjects, the problems described in them, are relevant to this day. Even many researchers of the playwright's work cannot answer how in the sixteenth century a person could create works that excite all generations. It was even hypothesized that the works were written not by one person, but by a certain group of authors, but under one pseudonym. But the truth has not yet been established.

Short biography

Shakespeare, whose works are so loved by many, left many mysteries behind him and very few historical facts. It is believed that he was born near Birmingham, in the city of Stratford-upon-Avon, in 1564. His father was engaged in trade and was a we althy citizen. But the issues of literature and culture were not discussed with little William: at that time there was no environment in the city that would favor the development of talent.

The boy went to a free school, at the age of eighteen he married (forcedly) a rich girl, she was eight years older than him. Apparently, Shakespeare did not like family life, so he joined a wandering group of artists and left for London. But he was not lucky to become an actor, so he wrote poems in honor of influential people, served the horses of we althy theater visitors, worked as a prompter, and finished writing plays. Shakespeare's first works appeared when he was 25 years old. Then he wrote more and more. They were delivered and were successful. In 1599, at the expense of the artists of the group, including Shakespeare, the famous Globe Theater was built. The playwright worked in it, tirelessly.

Features of works

Shakespeare's works even then differed from traditional dramas and comedies. Their hallmark was deep content, the presence of intrigue that changes people. William showed how low even a noble person can fall under the influence of circumstances and, conversely, how notorious villains perform great deeds. The playwright made his charactersreveal the character gradually, as the plot develops, and the audience - to empathize with the characters, follow the scene. And the works of Shakespeare are characterized by high moral pathos.

It is not surprising that the genius of dramaturgy already during his lifetime deprived many authors of their income, since the public demanded precisely his work. And he met the requirements of demand - he wrote new plays, replayed ancient stories, used historical chronicles. Success gave William prosperity, and even the coat of arms of the nobility. He died, as is commonly believed, after a fun feast in honor of his birthday in a friendly circle.

Shakespeare's works (list)

We cannot list all the works of the greatest English playwright in this article. But let's point out the most famous works of Shakespeare. The list is as follows:

• Romeo and Juliet.
• "Hamlet".
• Macbeth.
• A Midsummer Night's Dream.
• Othello.
• King Lear.
• The Merchant of Venice.
• Much Ado About Nothing.
• "Storm".
• "Two Verona".

These plays can be found in the repertoire of any self-respecting theater. And, of course, to paraphrase the famous saying, we can say that the actor who does not dream of playing Hamlet is bad, the actress who does not want to play Juliet is bad.

To be or not to be?

Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is one of the brightest, most penetrating. The image of the Danish prince excites to the depths of the soul, and his eternal question makes you think about your life. For those who have not yet read the tragedy in the full version, we will tell a summary. The play begins with the appearance of a ghost in the castle of Danish kings. He meets with Hamlet and tells him that the king did not die a natural death. It turns out that the father's soul demands revenge - the murderer Claudius not only took the wife of the late king, but also the throne. Wanting to verify the veracity of the words of night vision, the prince pretends to be a madman and invites wandering artists to the palace to stage the tragedy. Claudius' reaction gave him away, and Hamlet decides to take revenge. Palace intrigues, betrayal of his beloved and former friends make an avenger prince without a heart. He kills several of them in defense of himself, but is killed by the sword of the deceased Ophelia's brother. In the end, everyone dies: both Claudius, who untruthfully took the throne, and the mother, who drank the wine poisoned by her husband, prepared for Hamlet, and the prince himself, and his opponent Laertes. Shakespeare, whose works move to tears, described the problem not only in Denmark. But the whole world, the hereditary monarchy in particular.

Tragedy of two lovers

Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is a touching story about two young people who are ready to sacrifice themselves to be with their chosen one. This is a story about warring families who did not allow their children to be together, to be happy. But the children of the warring nobles do not care about the established rules, they decide to be together. Their meetings are filled with tenderness and deep feelings. But the bridegroom was found for the girl, and her parents tell her to prepare for the wedding. In the streetJuliet's brother dies in a fight between representatives of two warring families, and Romeo is considered the killer. The ruler wants to send the criminal out of the city. The young people are helped by a monk and a nurse, but they have not fully discussed all the details of the escape. As a result, Juliet drinks a potion, from which she falls into a lethargic sleep. Romeo considers his beloved dead and drinks poison in her crypt. After awakening, the girl kills herself with the guy's dagger. The Montagues and the Capulets reconcile, mourning their children.

Other works

But William Shakespeare wrote works and others. These are funny comedies that are uplifting, light and lively. They tell about people, although famous, but those who are not alien to love, passion, striving for life. Wordplay, misunderstandings, happy accidents lead the characters to a happy ending. If sadness is present in the plays, then it is fleeting, such as to emphasize the cheerful turmoil on the stage.

The sonnets of the great genius are also original, filled with deep thoughts, feelings, experiences. In verse, the author turns to a friend, beloved, mourns in separation and rejoices at a meeting, is disappointed. A special melodic language, symbols and images create an elusive picture. Interestingly, in most of the sonnets, Shakespeare refers to a man, perhaps Henry Risley, Earl of Southampton, the playwright's patron. And only then, in later works, does a swarthy lady appear, a cruel coquette.

Instead of afterword

Everyone is simply obliged to read at least in translation,but the full content of the most famous works of Shakespeare, to make sure that the greatest genius had the ability of the prophet, because he was able to identify the problems of even modern society. He was a researcher of human souls, noticed their shortcomings and advantages, and pushed for changes. Isn't that the purpose of art and the great master?