400 years after his death, Shakespeare’s plays still prove their durability and popularity. From Baz Luhrman’s Romeo & Juliet, to the most recent incarnation of Macbeth starring Michael Fassbender, it is clear there's always an audience for the works of the England's most famous playwright.
With so much to his name, we take a look at the career lessons you can learn from the works of such an icon.
'Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them...'
We all have our off days. However this is a fine reminder that ultimately, our future is very much in our own hands.
It is also a reminder that envying lifestyles of others is a pointless task. We can all achieve our own versions of greatness; however the path that gets us there could be very different to someone elses.
'Brevity is the soul of wit...'
A straightforward message, championing the benefits of getting to the point quickly.
Being concise and using as few words as possible to express yourself is something that can have a huge impact in both personal and professional environments.
'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown...'
Another straightforward message: with power and achievements comes great responsibility. A useful reminder should you have lofty ambitions.
'All the world’s a stage, all the men and women merely players…one man in his time plays many parts...'
A brilliantly fruitful phrase illustrating both the frailty and importance of one person’s existence.
It’s also a great reminder that our situation can and will change over time. We may start off on one path, however it does not mean we are limited in any way to the same thing forever.
Further lessons
It's not just in the verses of Shakespeare’s work that we can draw inspiration. When analysing the continually changing methods of his writing style, it’s clear to see a man not content to rest on his laurels. It's a testament to a talented individual who worked hard in order to succeed. Without him such words as rant, champion, majestic, advertising, and tranquil – to mention but a few – would never have existed.
Certainly when looking at the change of popularity over time, it illustrates that we can often create a legacy that does not come to fruition until much later. Perhaps the most telling aspect of his work is its longevity. In an era of processed pop, quick-fire trends and a seemingly increasing obsession with vapid celebrities, it is clear to see how deep, personal and universal Shakespeare’s work is.
400 years on, there’s little debate that he is one of the greats.