Scribd
Upload
89 views4 pages

Shakespeare and Burns: Poetic Legacies

William Shakespeare is considered the world's greatest poet and dramatist. He made fuller use of the English language than any other writer, with many words and phrases from his works becoming part of standard English. Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, including famous tragedies, comedies, and historical dramas. Though details of his personal life are scarce, he is known to have been born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and to have died in 1616, being buried in Stratford. Robert Burns was born in Scotland in the 18th century to a poor family. Though receiving little formal education, he began writing poetry at a young age, producing works celebrating Scottish rural life and culture. Burns died

Uploaded by

djamal721
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
89 views4 pages

Shakespeare and Burns: Poetic Legacies

William Shakespeare is considered the world's greatest poet and dramatist. He made fuller use of the English language than any other writer, with many words and phrases from his works becoming part of standard English. Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, including famous tragedies, comedies, and historical dramas. Though details of his personal life are scarce, he is known to have been born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and to have died in 1616, being buried in Stratford. Robert Burns was born in Scotland in the 18th century to a poor family. Though receiving little formal education, he began writing poetry at a young age, producing works celebrating Scottish rural life and culture. Burns died

Uploaded by

djamal721
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Реферат на тему:

William Shakespeare, Robert Burns


WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
William Shakespeare is the world's greatest poet and
dramatist. Every Englishman knows more or less the works of
his country's greatest poet. Words and phrases from
Shakespeare's writings have become part of the English
language and are used by all.
Shakespeare made fuller use of the English
language than any other writer. There is no better way for a
foreigner or an Englishman to understand the richness of the English language than
by studying how Shakespeare used it.
The last half of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century are
sometimes called the age of Shakespeare. By that time England had become a powerful
state, but there was not much change for the better in the life of the English people and
the power of money grew stronger.
Shakespeare saw these contrasts and showed them in his works. Although the
name of William Shakespeare is well-known in the world we know very little about his
life. He was born on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. His mother, Mary Arden,
was a daughter of Robert Arden, a farmer. His father, John Shakespeare, was a glover
who had an office at Stratford-upon-Avon.
Little is known about William's childhood. He got his education at the Grammar
School. He got married in 1582 to Anne Hathaway and had three children, a boy and two
girls.
William lived in Stratford until he was about twenty-one, when he went to
London. There is a story that Shakespeare's first work in London was holding rich men's
horses at the theatre door. But nobody can say whether this story is true.
Later, Shakespeare became an actor and a member of one of the big acting
companies. Soon he began to write plays for this company and in a few years became
a well-known author.
Shakespeare's work as an actor (although he usually acted only small parts)
helped him greatly in the writing of his plays. He knew the stage and that helped him to
write the most wonderful plays ever written.
Shakespeare wrote 37 plays. Among them are tragedies such as Hamlet, King
Lear, Othello, Macbeth; comedies such as The Merry Wives of Windsor, All's Well_
That Ends Well, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing; historical dramas such as
Henry IV, Richard III.
Shakespeare spent the last years of his life at Stratford, where he died in 1616, He
was buried in the church of Stratford. A monument was built to him in the Poet's Corner
in Westminster Abbey.
Shakespeare was a great humanist. He believed in man and wished to make life
better for the people of his country.
Marx and Engels not only loved Shakespeare greatly, but studied his works. They
pointed out the popular character of his art, and the way in which he showed the
development of life.
Pushkin and the Russian revolutionary democrats spoke highly of Shakespeare as
one of the greatest poets in the world.
ROBERT BURNS
Robert Burns was born in the north of Scotland. His
father William was a gardener.
Although he was poor, William Burns's greatest wish
was to give his children the best education he could, and
while they were still „ young, he began to teach them to
read and write.
When Robert was 13, he had to do most of the work on the farm, for his father
was growing old.
Those were hard times. Robert was often ill because of the hard work and little
food.
But in spite of all this, fifteen-year-old Robert began to write.
Burns wrote many poems in English, but the best of his works are written in
the language of his native Scotland.
In his poems he describes with love and understanding the simple life he knew,
and his poems touch the heart of every reader.
Robert died at the age of 37. Ail his life he had lived very poorly, he had no
money and had "to work very hard.
A few years after his death, Burns became famous, and some of the English
authors spoke of him as a great poet. Byron, for example, said that Burns was the
very first of the poets.
Both Marx and Engels thought highly of Burns's poems.
Now Robert Burns is Scotland's national poet and January 25 — the day of his
birth — is always celebrated in his country and in other countries.
Burns is very dear to us. Soviet people understand his love of freedom and
peace and friendship in the world.
Among his well-known poems are The Jolly Beggars, Halloween, To a Mouse,
The Two Dogs.
He gave 200 songs to the Scots Musical Museum, among them such well-
known ones as John Anderson, My Joe.

Common questions

Powered by AI

Shakespeare's works often depicted the socio-political landscape of his time, addressing themes of power and human nature with depth and universal relevance. Burns, on the other hand, focused on the everyday lives and struggles of ordinary Scots, emphasizing themes of economic hardship and personal resilience. Both authors effectively used their personal insights to critique and reflect upon the norms of their times, merging personal struggles with broader societal themes in their narratives .

Shakespeare's works attained acclaim during his lifetime and continued to be revered as cornerstone contributions to English literature and drama, shaping the language profoundly. In contrast, Burns's recognition came largely posthumously, celebrated for his evocative poetry that captured the heart and soul of Scottish life. Despite their different paths to recognition, both have carved enduring legacies in their literary traditions .

Both Shakespeare and Burns are celebrated for their unique contributions to literature. Shakespeare is renowned for his profound impact on the English language and his portrayal of life's complexities, while Burns is revered for capturing the essence of Scottish life and emotions through his heartfelt poems in Scots and English. Both authors are praised for reflecting societal values and human nature in ways that continue to resonate with audiences across generations .

Education played a crucial role in shaping the literary paths of both Shakespeare and Burns. Shakespeare's education at the Grammar School laid foundational skills that he later employed in his extensive literary works. For Burns, despite limited formal education due to family obligations, his father's teachings and deep self-driven literacy informed his poetic style, enabling him to weave sophisticated themes into his works .

Burns faced significant social and personal challenges, including poverty and hard labor, which often led to illness. Despite these hardships, he began writing at the age of fifteen, which reflects his resilience and passion for literature. These challenges deeply influenced his works, infusing them with themes of endurance and simplicity of life, making them relatable and poignant .

January 25 is significant as it marks the birth of Robert Burns and is celebrated as a national day in Scotland and other regions. This day honors Burns's contributions to literature as Scotland's national poet, and it is a testament to his enduring influence and the affection with which his work is held .

Shakespeare's experience as an actor helped him immensely in writing plays. His deep understanding of the stage enabled him to write plays with intricate details of performance, leading to some of the most brilliant theatrical works ever created .

Burns's works often feature themes of simple life, love, freedom, and friendship. These themes reflect his personal experiences, such as his hard upbringing and the simplicity of life in Scotland, which is lovingly and understandingly depicted in his poetry, resonating deeply with readers .

Shakespeare highlighted the societal contrasts of his time, such as the growing power of money and the lack of improvement in the lives of the English people, reflecting these themes in his plays. His works capture the complexities and dynamics of the era, making his art popular and well-regarded for its realistic portrayal of life .

Shakespeare made fuller use of the English language than any other writer, contributing many words and phrases that became integral to English communication. His writings enriched the language and continue to be used by all, offering insight into the richness and versatility of English .

You might also like