So, hypothetical (but really not hypothetical at all and hopefully not heretical enough to be torn asunder), what do you think one would have to do to be a better writer than Shakespeare (literary-wise, culturally, socially, the whole deal)? Do you think it's even possible in this day and age, and, if so, what things do you think a 21st century writer would have to work on/do?
How to be better than Shakespeare?
@zer0-x: In all seriousness, I do not think it possible. Shakespeare becomes more revered and celebrated with each passing year. So I would imagine if it is possible, You or some other author would not attain the title of being Shakespeare's equal or even his superior (In the literacy sense) in the mind of the public and society as a whole in your lifetime. Your regard would probably grow over many many years after death, as many artists, authors and musicians etc,, stock seems to grow after they have passed.
If someone were to surpass Shakespeare as a literary genius, I doubt it would happen in this century.
People like the idea of Shakespear more than they actually like his work. Liking things simply because they are older and have established major tropes is considered by society to be the "correct" opinion. Most people don't even understand Shakespear's work. Just look at the sheer number of teen romance novels that reference Romeo and Juliet as some kind of epic love without realizing that the whole point of it was to be a satire on the teen romance genre.
To answer your question, one day in the far off future; someone from this time will probably have replaced Shakespear.
No, not in any ones given lifetime.
Shakespeare's plays are preformed on stage and taught in schools/universities around the globe, and have been for hundreds of years.
And even hundreds of years after his death, words Shakespeare has coined like Swagger & bedazzled are still used today because we can't think of a better way to sound cool when describing showing confidence/style.
Shakespeare was really something extraordinary with words, like Einstein with science or Beethoven with music.
People like the idea of Shakespear more than they actually like his work. Liking things simply because they are older and have established major tropes is considered by society to be the "correct" opinion. Most people don't even understand Shakespear's work. Just look at the sheer number of teen romance novels that reference Romeo and Juliet as some kind of epic love without realizing that the whole point of it was to be a satire on the teen romance genre.
To answer your question, one day in the far off future; someone from this time will probably have replaced Shakespear.
That always gets a chuckle out of me.
Not writing dialogue in metaphors.
Where's the fun in that? Befuddling people is the best!
@abhartach: Fair enough, but I'd never dumb down the potency of a language just for that. People should try to understand a little harder, so long as I'm not being a douche with the metaphors or anything.
@nerevarine_11: Yes, Dr. Strange.
The problem with this goal is that there are way too many things that Shakespeare did so incredibly well. Stories within stories, turns of phrases, charming dialogue, meter, social consciousness, balance between levity and drama, memorable characters, new words, and the list goes on and on.
I would simply try to write as only you can. Dickens was not better than Shakespeare, but he is legendary in his own right and for his own style.
Pretty much, this.
Write using your style and be damn good with it.
@leo-343: Ehh, I don't really see that as arrogant. In my opinion, it just seems like his opinion, something he believes strongly. Or, he could be speaking through the voice of a character. We don't really know for certain if his sonnets are a biography or pure self-thought expression after all.
I write.
My goal isn't to write like Shakespeare. It is to write like and have it be as good as I can. You should do the same if you write OP!
Now....can someone surpass Shakespeare?
You might be able to make an argument that there are folks who are superior to him on pure writing standards, but that depends on how you view good prose. I'm sure there are plenty say James Joyce is a better writer language-wise than The Bard.
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