Comments on: What Makes Shakespeare Great? (Part I)

By: Jared Silason

Jared Silason — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:22:05 +0000

Shakespeare presented life as it actually is, with no provision for politically-correct “trigger warnings” and no sociological or psychological explanations for human behavior.

In modern portrayals, rioters riot because economic forces impel them, teens get pregnant because their hormones overpower them, pro-choice women choose abortion because they “have no choice.”

I’m sorry, but why were these lines necessary? Do they enhance anyone’s understanding of Shakespeare’s genius? Or embed a completely tangential screed into an otherwise perceptive essay?

By: Jennifer Randall

Jennifer Randall — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 20:09:40 +0000

“In modern portrayals, rioters riot because economic forces impel them, teens get pregnant because their hormones overpower them, pro-choice women choose abortion because they “have no choice.” The message is clear: we are products of our genes, our families, and our circumstances, nothing more. ”

Wow, what an overly simplistic portrayal of “modern” themes.

“In striking contrast, Shakespeare’s characters stride like giants across the stage, exuding a sense of personal destiny. They are not automatons or victims, but free individuals making moral choices, some destructive and some noble, for which they bear the consequences.”

But that’s the thing, our choices are shaped by our circumstances as well. It’s not a simplistic either-or. The whole paragraph just reeks of someone caught up in the cult of Shakespeare.

By: ofelia R claudio

ofelia R claudio — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 03:48:12 +0000

I venture to agree with you, Philip, that Shakespeare was most likely Anglican. I grew up Catholic (not anymore). We had no assurance of salvation, always living in uncertainty (and fear) of where we were going after death. And it was purgatory, most likely, because we were always committing “venial” sins (as opposed to “mortal” sins which, if unconfessed before one dies, would take us to hell). We tried to work ourselves OUT of purgatory for those venial sins by earning indulgences from such practices as completing attendance at mass for 9 consecutive First Fridays in honor of the Sacred Heart, believing that, if we died after that, we skip purgatory! If we didn’t, we might want to try another set of 9. Thank God for opening my eyes to bible truth! I LOVE Shakespeare’s statement of his beliefs in his last will and testament. It tells he truly was saved! He trusted in Jesus Christ alone. Solo Christo!

By: David Cullis

David Cullis — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 08:09:46 +0000

Never mind the plays … what about the verse and the sonnets he churned out. If any man embodies genius, then Shakespeare does in spades.

By: Angie

Angie — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 07:57:45 +0000

Thank-you for this, you just got me inspired to start reading Shakespeare again! An excellent post! Sharing with all my teacher friends too!

By: Avenel Grace

Avenel Grace — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 03:06:34 +0000

Here’s one a lot might not know.
When Icicles hang by the wall
And Dick the shepherd blows his nail,
And Tom bears logs into the hall
And milk comes frozen home in pail;
When blood is nipped and ways be foul
Then nightly sings the staring owl
Too-Whit Too-Whoo a merry note.
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

When all around the wind doth blow
And coughing drowns the Parson’s saw,
And birds sit brooding in the snow
And Marion’s nose looks red and raw,
When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl
Then nightly sings the staring owl
too-Whit Too-Whoo a merry note,
While greasy joan doth keel the pot.

By: Betty Milroy

Betty Milroy — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 00:24:26 +0000

Hello, Philip,
My husband, Michael, is the proud owner of a mug which is covered in insults from the Bard’s wonderful plays: “Clod of wayward marl”: “Bolting hutch of beastliness”; “Beetle-headed, flap-eared knave”; “Poisonous, bunch-backed toad”…… wouldn’t it be nice if writers of screenplays for our current films could refrain from constant use of the f-word, and give their characters such creative ways to verbally injure each other? (or is it “one another’??

By: Cheryle Free

Cheryle Free — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 00:19:37 +0000

Shakespeare was definitely an avid student of the Bible as revealed through the language of his work. In much of it he stops just short of outright plagiarism & perhaps not short of it….

By: Carla Vornheder

Carla Vornheder — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 22:23:27 +0000

Attempting to reply to Barbara Larson (above): When I studied Romeo and Juliet in the 9th grade, it was a real turning point for me. One of the assignments was to watch West Side Story and compare Romeo and Juliet to it. I enjoyed a comment by my teacher about my comparison of the song “Something’s Coming” to Romeo’s anticipation. I remember that the teacher put my paper on a billboard. I had never been praised for anything I had written. The opportunity to examine and analyze literature opened a door. I’ve learned from other experiences in college that, for me, looking critically at good literature makes me really appreciate it.

By: Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 22:12:34 +0000

In reply to Carla Vornheder. Great plan--go for it!