Unlocking Shakespeare: Little-Known Information You Need to Know
William Shakespeare is a household name, famous for his extraordinary plays and sonnets. But despite his fame, there is still a lot that you might not know about the Bard. In this article, we will explore some little-known facts about Shakespeare that will broaden your understanding of his work and his world.
Shakespeare was a businessman
Many people are unaware that Shakespeare was not just a playwright but also a successful businessman in his day. He owned shares in the Globe and Blackfriars theatres where his plays were performed and was an investor in grain trading, real estate, and other business ventures.
Shakespeare’s financial success gave him the means to purchase New Place, one of the largest homes in Stratford-upon-Avon. This is where he retired after his illustrious career in London.
Shakespeare’s plays were not written in modern English
Shakespeare’s plays are renowned for their lyrical and poetic language. But what many don’t know is that the English used in his plays is Early Modern English, which is markedly different from modern English.
Early Modern English was the language spoken in England between the late 15th century and the mid-to-late 17th century. It was a time when English was undergoing a great deal of change, including the loss of inflectional endings and the rise of new grammatical structures.
Thus, when reading or watching a Shakespeare play, it’s essential to keep in mind that the language is more than four centuries old and requires some effort to understand.
Shakespeare’s plays were political
Shakespeare lived during a time of great political turmoil in England. Elizabeth I’s reign had ended, and James I had taken the throne. During this time, there were several plots to overthrow the king, including the infamous Gunpowder Plot.
As a result, Shakespeare’s plays often contained thinly veiled political commentary. For example, his play Macbeth has been interpreted as a warning against the dangers of ambition and the corruption of power.
Shakespeare’s plays were collaborative
Many people may be surprised to learn that Shakespeare’s plays were not entirely the work of one person. In fact, many of his plays were collaborative works with other playwrights.
These collaborations were not uncommon at the time, and it’s suspected that Shakespeare collaborated with up to ten other writers. Some of these collaborations produced some of Shakespeare’s most famous works, like The Two Noble Kinsmen and Pericles, Prince of Tyre.
Shakespeare’s plays had a big impact on the English Language
Shakespeare’s extensive writings had a significant impact on the English language that still exists today. He is credited with coining or popularizing numerous words and phrases, including “swagger,” “eyeball,” “laughable,” and “fair play.”
Additionally, many of the expressions and idioms found in his plays have become common in daily English usage and include phrases like “All’s well that ends well,” “break the ice,” and “in a pickle.”
Conclusion
Shakespeare was undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest writers, and even today, his works continue to inspire and delight people. In this article, we’ve uncovered some little-known facts about Shakespeare that help unlock some of the secrets behind his work. Hopefully, this will inspire you to dig deeper into his plays and poetry and gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the words.
