Can someone explain to me why Shakespeare is considered Great?

[Paulclem]

When you consider his background too - a glovemakers son educated at the local Stratford-Upon-Avon school in latin - his only experience of great theatre likely to have been in the city of Coventry, which was renowned for its Mystery Plays, and the theatrical entertainments put on for Quen Elizabeth I at nearby Kenilworth castle, before his emigration to London.

It often seems that Shakespeae is elitist because his works are promoted, discussed and written about in acaemic circles, but he was not an academic. He wasn't wealthy, at least when he was writing the plays, and he hadn't been to University. He was basically earning his crust when he wrote the plays. He was an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent.

[Paulclem]

Sorry re-wrote post again in error.

[WiseCookie]

You don't even need to read a full play to see his genius, you could just flick through at random and find something of great worth there. I am just reading Coriolanus, it is one of a few that I have not read, and within the first few pages I wonder why I bother reading anything other than Shakespeare!

What makes Shakespeare one of the greats?

For me it is the language and character and the prevailing philosophy which runs through his work which shows a deep understanding of life, and, what it means to be human, the folly and faults of man, the underlying motivations etc. Really, apart from character, you don't even have to look passed the sonnets to see these things shine through in the text. For me also it is how Shakespeare manages to convey so much in so little words - effortlessly, with simple word choice he expresses so much. This is without talking about the dramatic nature of the work, the perfect sense of timing, the balance between light and dark, comic and tragic within any given play, the sense of humour conveyed, the beautiful imagery evoked, the substance of any given character, the external elements - the minor references to words which together add comment to the main theme/s of any given work, the perfect control of tone, etc, etc... above all it is just the feeling I get when I sit down to read the words, I just know I am in the presence of a master of language there is no real need to explain it, the sense and worldly wisdom is just there conveyed within the words on the page.

This states quite well why Shakespeare is great. I just wanted to add that although everyone is saying you need to read the plays, I would also suggest that you either see a live performance or rent one of the movie adaptations. After all, these are plays, not novels. They are (or were, originally) meant to be experienced acted out on stage. I love to read and study the plays, don't get me wrong, but to see it acted out takes it to a new level of understanding and appreciation. Plus, it's fun.

[Paulclem]

I would also suggest that you either see a live performance or rent one of the movie adaptations.

Definately. It helps with the comprehension of 16th century language, and is how it was originally intended to be enjoyed.

[March Hare]

Because Harold Bloom said so, of course!

I commend your pithy retort.

OP, it takes a while to appreciate Shakespeare. There is a language barrier to overcome as well as the dramatic format. But once you get into the flow after reading a few plays and a few over again I think you'll find him quite to your satisfaction.

[catatonic]

It's all about the 'turn of phrase' when speaking of Shakespeare, the very thing Flaubert made his religion.

You're right to think Hamlet exemplifies Shakespeare's art, but I would be wary of extrapolating life lessons from Hamlet's philosophical musings. Revenge is the cause after all.