“If you cannot understand my argument, and declare “It’s Greek to me”, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you recall your salad days, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you act more in sorrow than in anger; if your wish is farther to the thought; if your lost property has vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have played fast and loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool’s paradise -why, be that as it may, the more fool you , for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare.
“If you think it is early days and clear out bag and baggage, if you think it is high time and that that is the long and short of it, if you believe that the game is up and that truth will out even if it involves your own flesh and blood, if you lie low till the crack of doom because you suspect foul play, if you have your teeth set on edge (at one fell swoop) without rhyme or reason, then – to give the devil his due – if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head) you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I was dead as a door-nail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, a stony-hearted villain, bloody-minded or a blinking idiot, then – by Jove! O Lord! Tut tut! For goodness’ sake! What the dickens! But me no buts! – it is all one to me, for you are quoting Shakespeare”. (Bernard Levin)
What an amazing genius the man was!
Lots of children at school complain about learning Shakespeare. The trouble with teaching Shakespeare at schools is that it is often read and not seen. Shakespeare can only be appreciated at the theatre, or to a lesser extent, the cinema screen. I also disapprove of modern directors who try to replicate Shakespeare plays exactly as they would’ve been originally produced. The fact is, much of the humour in Shakespeare is anachronistic. Instead, modern directors should fill their adaptations with humour for their age, while staying true to the overall story. This will not only enhance the comedic value of the plays, it will make them relevant for the next generation.
But otherwise, I am a huge fan of Shakespeare. As you have quite rightly pointed out, he has made a vast contribution to the English language. Hundreds of years after his death, his works (both plays and poetry) continue to inspire millions of people, and I have no doubt that Shakespeare will be just as relevant long after we are gone.