Shakespeare is regarded as one of the world’s most beloved writers. From the heartbreaking tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, to the humorous scenes of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, there’s no doubt that he’s brought so many people to tears, sorrowful or otherwise. Not only this, but he’s also lived in difficult historical times. There are mysteries surrounding Shakespeare, mysteries that have fostered the imaginations of many writers and artists alike.

Shakespeare has produced some of his most wonderful works, many of which have been inspirations for other literary creations. For example, Thomas Flower’s Feast was inspired by a character in Titus Andronicus, a character who was brutally raped, mutilated, and silenced. Stephenie Meyer’s New Moon was inspired by Romeo and Juliet, where the two love interests almost meet their horrific end. Even classics like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was affected by Shakespeare; Marley’s death was inspired by Macbeth, a death that had shown the greed of the protagonist. His works are at the core of human expression. Despite his seemingly complicated language, there’s dark, holistic element to them, one that speaks to many people. From literature to artists, people have fallen in love with Shakespeare’s works. Even people who haven’t read his works are inspired by him; a tourist destination was set up in Italy in the form of a balcony that was inspired by Romeo and Juliet themselves. It’s little wonder why Shakespeare is so famous now.

Not only that, but Shakespeare had also lived through some incredibly trying times. The Black Death was one of the most horrific plagues throughout human history. The quality of life degraded, and millions of people died. What’s more, many people believed that the plague came from God as a punishment against sin. Shakespeare had lived through this time, and had lost his own family members to the plague. Those deaths had no doubt played a part in inspiring his best works. Shakespeare had also indirectly influenced the politics during his time. Even so, he knew of the dangers of politics, and because his loved ones were persecuted, arrested, and even tortured by enemies, his plays were often censored to agree with the political climate. Despite this, his historical plays didn’t shy away from political matters - from war and peace, to religion in politics, to the eternal question of what it takes to be a good leader, he reflected on these issues truly, and constructed his plays based on those perceptions.

Even more than that was the fact that there were oddities Shakespeare delved into. For instance, on his grave, he stated that whoever moved his bones would be cursed. What’s more, many scholars have debated on his sexuality. A couple of his sonnets may have been inspired by love interests who may have been men. His promiscuity has also been the subject of many people's writing.

Despite this, Shakespeare is a famous figure that has inspired many writers. Novelists have incorporated both him and his works into their stories. While his language may be a bit antiquated, there’s no doubt that Shakespeare has continued to live in the hearts of many writers, whether he knew it or not.