WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
(26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616)
On April 23 2014, the whole world celebrated the 450th birth anniversary of WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE - a rare blend of a world-renowned English Poet, Playwright and Actor - who is considered the greatest writer the English language has ever known. A pre-eminent dramatist, Shakespeare is also known as the ‘Swan of Avon’.
Although he had been excelling and exalting in the world of English literature more than four centuries back, his reputation came to the fore only in the 19th century when his works became more popular than ever before and were acclaimed as identifying the wide and deep linguistic knowledge ocean that he was. The semantic-nuances-packed works of his genius came to be fully recognized by the world only by then. No wonder, he inspired generations of writers and dramatists transcending all geographical boundaries and perceivable barriers, not only in English but in all other languages. He is a global household name in the field of literature including drama and revered by all linguistic groups throughout the world.
His arch critic Ben Jonson's remark, “there was ever more in him (Shakespeare) to be praised than to be pardoned” is considered the greatest tribute ever heaped on Shakespeare. This speaks volumes of
his sharp intellectual acumen and unmatched brilliance in language handling skills.
As for India, when we say the
words ‘heart of heart’ as many Indians do, we can take pride in actually 'speaking the Shakespeare language!'
That Shakespeare’s works are even now
visited in all world languages from different angles - yet again re-defined, re-oriented,
re-discovered, and re-interpreted - in diverse cultural, political and societal
backgrounds and contexts, is yet another proof of his erudite scholarship.
Shakespeare’s popular play 'ROMEO & JULIET' was first stage-performed on 29 January 1595.
George Bernard Shaw who devoted most of
his time whacking his centuries-long senior fellow-dramatist William
Shakespeare once said “indiscriminate eulogies of that poet filled him with an
insane desire to dig Shakespeare's bones up and throw stones at them.”
Shaw professed to dislike Shakespeare as
a thinker and philosopher because he did not engage with social problems, as
his own plays did.
Shaw had decried in a lighter vein
dubbing as ‘Bardolatry’ - meaning excessive worship - of William
Shakespeare. None other than this criticism could be a great and glorious tribute to
Shakespeare. Isn't it?
Truly he had shaken the sphere!
R.SAMPATH
24/4/2014
This article was written and sent by me
to the INDIAN EXPRESS on 24.4.2014 as feedback to a feature ‘Joy He Brings to Readers Will Keep the Bard Alive’ that appeared in that newspaper on the same day regarding WILLIAM
SHAKESPEARE
Wow interesting. William Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers. -- Aravindan --
ReplyDeleteSampath ji. A great tribute to the greatest of all time.
ReplyDeleteAll I can is quickly recall a few of his quotes
To be or not to be
All the world 's a stage
We are such stuff as our dreams are made of
What's in a name....A rose
The Quality of Mercy