You’ve Read Shakespeare Without Reading Shakespeare

Yassie
Mar 19
3 min read

Shakespeare’s works aren’t as inaccessible as they seem. Episode 74 of the Creatinuum podcast, “Hot Takes: Anyone Can Read Shakespeare,” discusses why his plays remain relevant and how anyone can enjoy them.

Photo by Nathalie Martinez from Pexels

Is Shakespeare Really That Hard to Read?

Aside from his enduring legacy and major contribution to literature, the mere mention of William Shakespeare brings back memories of confusing sonnets and dense comedic plays that we all learned throughout high school. The archaic language, complex metaphors, and school assignments that left most students more frustrated than enlightened all contribute to the idea that Shakespeare is reserved for the scholars. But what if that perception is wrong?

Shakespeare Is Everywhere

More than just a source of quotes and reenactments, William Shakespeare coined words that have become part of our quotidian language. Timeless themes of love, betrayal, and ambition in his stories persevere through inspiring modern storytelling.

You might not realize it, but if you’ve enjoyed 10 Things I Hate About You (The Taming of the Shrew) or She’s the Man (Twelfth Night), you’ve already experienced Shakespeare’s storytelling. Even superhero franchises like Marvel’s Thor, with its Asgardian lore, and DC’s Joker, who embodies the Shakespearean jester who was masking deep truths beneath madness, have borrowed from the bard’s dramatic structures.

Shakespeare’s works have survived for centuries because they evolve. Directors, writers, and filmmakers continually put new spins on his stories. Whether it’s a faithful stage production or a modernized retelling, his themes remain relevant. That’s why we still see movies like West Side Story (Romeo and Juliet) and The Lion King (Hamlet) capturing audiences today.

Shakespeare Is for Everyone

While it is easy to assume that his plays were written solely for nobility, given his works were performed in royal courts, he crafted his works with the broader public in mind, from the patricians to plebeians enjoyed his works.

At the Globe Theatre, working-class audiences stood shoulder to shoulder in the pit, while the wealthy sat in balcony seats. These performances weren’t stiff, refined affairs—they were loud, lively, and full of humor meant to entertain the masses.

Overcoming the Language Barrier

His literary prowess wouldn’t have endured throughout centuries if not for his intentional and unparalleled style of writing; he is a literary genius. After all, with his ability to craft layers of meanings or vary his writing style so no story would sound the same, William Shakespeare proves to be the ultimate master of language in storytelling.

It's why approaching Shakespearean literature can feel intimidating, as if we wouldn’t be able to unlock every meaning Shakespeare has hidden behind the words we are reading and that makes it an enjoyable challenge.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of scholars and Shakespeare aficionados, modern tools have made his works more accessible than ever. Side-by-side translations like No Fear Shakespeare simplify the text into plain language while websites like Shmoop add humor and analysis to make his plays more engaging. For visual learners, YouTube explainer videos bring Shakespeare’s stories to life in an easy-to-digest format.

Writing Like Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s influence extends beyond storytelling into the craft of writing itself. His works demonstrate the power of inventing new words and phrases as he coined terms like bedazzled and swagger, proving that language is ever-evolving. His use of vivid imagery, such as “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” highlights the impact of strong descriptions. Mastering rhythm and pacing, particularly through iambic pentameter, helps create a natural flow in writing. He also employed dramatic irony where audiences knew more than the characters, adding depth to narratives. Finally, his exploration of universal themes—love, power, and betrayal—shows that writing rooted in timeless emotions remains relevant across generations.

Reclaiming Shakespeare for Everyone

Shakespeare’s works are for everyone. Whether you watch a film adaptation, read a modern translation, or explore his original plays, you’re engaging with one of history’s greatest storytellers. Maybe it’s time to give Shakespeare another chance on your own terms.

Listen in full to Creatinuum EP74, Hot Takes: Anyone Can Read Shakespeare , available on Simplecast, Spotify, Apple, and other platforms.