is Shakespear relevant today?

Question

if the ans. is yes then why? and if the ans. is no then why?
it would be better if you give your ans.in both i.e. yes and no.

Answer 1

Shakespeare is definitely relevant today. There are a number of ways, but I will try to hit on the major issues.
First is historically: His plays shows the relevance and importance of historical events during his time. History has become more important in the 20th century, but it shows that this isn't necessarily the case. The Henry plays, Julius Ceasar... etc, they are historically accurate. It leads to alot of questions about how accessible this information was to the public etc.
Secondly, The development of the English language and its versatility. Obviously, many of the words have changed meaning, and have totally different meanings than they do today. It helps us see how the English language developed and how its uses change over time.
There are alot of other reasons as well, but you must consider that these stories are close to 400 years old and they are still entertaining!!! That in itself makes them relevant. How many of today's shows, tv or otherwise, will be remembered in 400 years? The relevance is its longevity. The fact that we can still relate to the stories, feel the characters' pains and tribulations.

On the other side, the negative... I have a hard time with this since I truly believe that Shakespeare is relevant. But, I guess its age can be used against it. The older language can definitely be confusing and lose some of its kick with modern audiences.

Answer 2

Yes. he explored human emotions and thematic elements that are still true today. It is a way to learn about the present from the past.