Shakespeare Was ‘Not of an Age, but for all Time’
-Written based on the universal thematic representations in ‘Othello’, ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’-
William Shakespeare, the renowned English playwright, stands as the greatest dramatist of his era. Even today, over four centuries since his passing, his extensive body of work, including 154 sonnets, 30 plays, and other literary creations, continues to wield a profound influence, inspiring fresh interpretations. Shakespeare’s works, particularly his dramas, showcase his exceptional literary creativity. They have been embraced and adapted by numerous theaters and continue to captivate audiences worldwide. As Ben Jonson eloquently put it in his poem, ‘To the Memory of My Beloved the Author, Mr. William Shakespeare,’ “He was not of an age but for all time!” These words resonate with the enduring literary and cultural authority of Shakespeare.
“To draw no envy, Shakespeare, on thy name,
Am I thus ample to thy book and fame;
While I confess thy writings to be such,
As neither man nor muse can praise too much”
Time has undeniably supported Jonson’s assertion. No writer before or since has matched Shakespeare in terms of influence, acclaim, and sustained commercial and popular success. His genius lay not just in his literary talent but also in his impeccable timing — being born in precisely the right place and at the right moment to nourish his unique greatness. His birth coincided with a fortuitous period in the history of the English language, education, theater, England’s social and political structure, and the emergence of the British Empire. While historical factors do not solely determine a writer’s cultural formation, they shed light on how writers emerge and why they gravitate towards particular genres. Shakespeare, primarily a playwright, was profoundly shaped by the historical context that provided the backdrop for his development.
Shakespearean tragedies, like Othello, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet, continue to resonate with contemporary society due to their exploration of timeless themes such as friendship, love, vengeance, power, and jealousy. According to Aristotle, a tragedy involves a serious action, appropriate language, and incidents that arouse pity and fear, ultimately achieving catharsis. The plays by Shakespeare are characterized by universally shared emotions and themes, making them suitable for audiences of all eras.
In the play Othello, Shakespeare strategically chooses his setting in the heart of Italy, specifically in the prosperous city of Venice, a symbol of law and refinement, and Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean Sea colonized by the Venetians at the time. Othello, portrayed as a Moor, stands out as an outsider amidst the Venetians. Shakespeare crafts the plot around this ethnic dichotomy, but intriguingly, he subverts ethnic discrimination by casting a Venetian, Iago, as the story’s villain, while Othello, the outsider, takes the role of the tragic hero. Although Othello was appointed as an army general by the Venetian government, his origin as a black foreign mercenary results in his being labeled ‘the Moor.’ This origin casts him as ‘the other’ or ‘the outsider’ throughout the narrative.
As such, the play sheds light on the prevalent concept of racial discrimination during that era, exposing how individuals with darker skin living in the European socio-geographical context faced xenophobic attitudes. They were often subjected to stereotypes, marginalization, and were perceived as violent and uncivilized from a Euro-centric perspective. Othello represents one of the early literary works addressing racial and ethnic conflicts in European society. Even though Othello holds a high-ranking position in the Venetian army, he faces numerous racist experiences from other characters, especially from Desdemona’s father, who disapproves of their marriage due to Othello’s ethnic identity.
Othello remains relevant to modern-day society, as issues of racism and ethnic discrimination continue to create binary distinctions in many societies around the world. The play’s authenticity lies in Othello’s ultimate flaw, despite his indisputable heroism, rendering him a deeply human character. This dimension, emphasizing Othello’s human frailties, brings the drama closer to our hearts.
The play serves as a poignant example of how jealousy, often referred to as ‘the green-eyed monster,’ can be triggered by seemingly trivial evidence, transforming a noble man into a savage killer. Othello is repeatedly portrayed as violent, contaminating, and savage, ultimately succumbing to the image fabricated by society and undergoing a dramatic downfall due to sexual jealousy. Tragic heroes are fated to destruction and decline, and Othello experiences a dramatic fall from a respected military general and loving husband to an irrational, violent murderer, aligning with the sinister expectations of Iago. The play delves into the multifaceted nature of jealousy, and how it can manifest in different forms. Iago’s jealousy stems from professional competition, while Othello’s jealousy revolves around suspicions of infidelity. The play offers a profound analysis of human nature, exploring the workings of a mind driven by jealousy. The story resonates with modern audiences, as we all, at times, find ourselves in Othello’s shoes, easily misled by our own ‘Iagos,’ giving in to our uncertainties and misplaced trust. The play reflects the inherent human potential for violence, especially when individuals are convinced of their own propensity for it. While Iago is a character in the play, at times, he embodies the subconscious mind of a human being, suppressed by ego and rationality. Othello’s descent into violence due to sexual jealousy, driven by his delusions of infidelity, becomes a universal exploration of a commonly shared aspect of the human psyche.
Romeo and Juliet, another of Shakespeare’s celebrated works, unfolds a heart-touching love story obstructed by social and parental disapproval. The feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets, set the stage for a tragedy resulting in the deaths of the two young lovers. The play examines the conflict between private love and public interests. Despite living in the same city, Verona, Romeo and Juliet are depicted as inhabiting separate worlds. Juliet is confined within her house, with most of her scenes taking place inside, while Romeo frequents the streets, climbing up to Juliet’s balcony as his sole means of entering her world. The feud between their families accentuates the distance between the two lovers, which is ultimately caused by this inherited feud.
The real issue Shakespeare addresses is not the death of the lovers, but the senseless hatred between the Capulets and Montagues, a grudge inherited through generations. As one of the greatest love stories in the English language, Romeo and Juliet remains relevant to modern society. Love, as a timeless theme, continues to be a source of both joy and pain in literature, as it has been through the ages. The passionate and romantic love shared by Romeo and Juliet triumphs over the complexities they face, as their love knows no bounds. The play’s appeal to modern society lies in its portrayal of the generation gap, a source of problems both in Shakespeare’s time and today. The haste of young love, defying discouraging circumstances to make it last forever, is a relatable theme. The play’s exploration of violence underscores the futility of deaths and disputes, particularly among the younger generation.
Hamlet, one of Shakespeare’s earliest works, delves into the political instability of a time when England grappled with Restoration and Reformation. Set in Denmark, a Protestant country, the play unfolds at the Danish royal court. It focuses on internal struggles and conflicts within a single individual, rather than external conflicts between individuals. Death, particularly suicide arising from societal degeneration and the breakdown of familial relationships, emerges as a major theme in the play. Hamlet’s character-driven narrative exposes his internal turmoil, offering insights into human nature and contemporary societal issues.
Hamlet is a character-driven play that delves into Hamlet’s struggles and conflicts within himself, rather than conflicts with others. Denmark, a Protestant nation, is the backdrop for the play, which unfolds within the Danish royal court. The play explores several themes that remain pertinent in modern society. One key theme is death, particularly suicide, which stems from the degeneration and corruption of society, as well as the breakdown of familial relationships. One of the most famous soliloquies by Hamlet, “To be or not to be, that is the question,” reflects his contemplation of life after death, a reflection triggered by his profound frustration with his surroundings. The strained relationship between his mother, Gertrude, and his uncle, Claudius, leads Hamlet to ponder the idea of death, as he cannot accept his mother with another man following his father’s death. This reluctance to accept his mother transgressing societal norms is a recurring theme throughout the play.
Hamlet explores several themes that continue to resonate with modern society. The theme of revenge is central to the play, as Hamlet is driven by an overwhelming desire to avenge his father’s murder. The concept of revenge is a recurring theme in modern society, with numerous films and stories centered on the theme of heroic figures seeking vengeance. However, Hamlet presents a cautionary tale about the dangers of pursuing revenge. The play also encourages forgiveness and discourages seeking vengeance, as revenge ultimately leads to Hamlet’s downfall. The play suggests that forgiving and moving on is a better course of action. Additionally, Hamlet serves as a reminder of the perils of embarking on a destructive path, which can lead to personal downfall.
In essence, Shakespeare remains a singular author whose works transcend the confines of any specific era, making them relevant and applicable to all ages across the centuries.
