Throughout the literary world, William Shakespeare is known as the greatest writer in the English language. Compared to many other well-known writers, Shakespeare’s life is shrouded in mystery. However, his plays and other works of his provide much insight into his creative literary talents. Little is known about his childhood, but much can be inferred about his upbringing. Shakespeare attended a grammar school in the late 16th century that offered a compulsory classical education. He learned the Latin language and underwent rigorous tests in written and oral Latin prose and poetry, as well as in grammar, rhetoric, logic, astronomy, and arithmetic.
Little information has been found about what he did after elementary school. Rather than attend university, most biographers believe that he began writing plays that were performed on London stages, as well as taking odd jobs.
Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, 154 sonnets and 4 long narrative poems that permanently changed the English language, contributing more than any other writer. In all, he created approximately 1,700 new words in most of his works. Also, Shakespeare invented 135 phrases that we use today. Here are 15 of his lines that most people are familiar with:
“It’s Greek to me” (Julius Caesar, Act I Scene II): This sentence is said when you don’t know something.
“Wild Goose Chase” (Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene IV): A failed search.
“Fair Play” (The Tempest, Act V Scene 1) – Follow the rules in competitions or sports.
“Knock knock who’s there?” (Macbeth, Act II, Scene III) – Shakespeare invented the joke “knock, knock.”
“All that glitters is not gold” (Merchant of Venice, Act I, Scene VII) – Something that looks good, turns out to be not so good.
“Carrying Heart in Hand” (Othello, Act I, Scene I) – Be open and honest about how you feel.
“Forever and a Day” (As You Like It, Act IV, Scene I): A very, long period of time.
“Break the ice” (The Taming of the Shrew. Act I Scene II) – When two people meet, they ask each other polite questions.
“Seen Better Days” (As You Like It, Act II, Scene VII) – An item that is not in good condition.
“Lie Low” (A Lot to Do for Nothing, Act V, Scene I) – Stay hidden.
“A Laughing Stock” (The Merry Wives of Windsor, Act III, Scene I) – A person many people consider a joke.
“Love is blind” (“The Merchant of Venice”, Act II, Scene VI) – An expression meaning to love a person who is not physically attractive.
“Too Much of a Good Thing” (“As You Like It” Act III, Scene V) – “Too Much of a Good Thing” is not necessarily good for you.
“In a pickle” (“The Tempest” Act V, Scene I) – Being in trouble or in a difficult situation.
“Good Riddance” (“Troilus and Cressida” Act II, Scene I): An expression indicating welcome relief from someone or something undesirable or unwanted.
William Shakespeare is known as the father of the modern English language. No other English writer has contributed more to phrases and words than he. Throughout his plays, sonnets, and poetry, Shakespeare broke new ground by creating new words and expressions, which standardized our mother tongue by becoming embedded in our language. After 400 years, today’s avid readers can clearly recognize many of the words and expressions commonly used in today’s speech.