1. Introduction
The English poet and playwright William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. His surviving works, including some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith. Between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later known as the King’s Men. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare’s private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, sexuality, religious beliefs, and whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were mainly comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best work produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until about 1608, including Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth, considered some of the finest works in the English language. In his last phase, he wrote tragicomedies, also known as romances, and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of his plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. In 1623, John Heminges and Henry Condell, two friends and fellow actors of Shakespeare, published the First Folio, a collected edition of his dramatic works that included all but two of the plays now recognised as Shakespeare’s. It was prefaced with a poem by Ben Jonson, in which Shakespeare is hailed, presciently, as “not of an age, but for all time”.
2. Biography
Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was an American writer and humorist who is widely considered one of the greatest authors in American literature. He was born on November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri and grew up in the nearby town of Hannibal. His father, John Marshall Clemens, was a lawyer and judge, and his mother, Jane Lampton Clemens, was a homemaker.
Twain’s childhood was filled with adventure, as he frequently explored the nearby woods and Mississippi River. He was educated in local schools and worked various jobs, including as a printer’s apprentice, a steamboat pilot, and a miner. He began writing stories and articles in his 20s, and his first published work, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” appeared in 1865.
Twain left his job as a steamboat pilot in 1867 and moved to New York City where he wrote for newspapers and magazines. His first book, The Innocents Abroad, was published in 1869 and was a huge success. In 1870, Twain married Olivia Langdon and the couple moved to Hartford, Connecticut.
Twain wrote some of his most famous works during this period, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884). He also wrote non-fiction works, such as A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1889) and Following the Equator (1897).
Twain became a celebrity in his own right, traveling and lecturing around the world. He was a staunch supporter of the rights of African Americans, and an outspoken critic of racism and imperialism. He also wrote extensively about his own life, publishing his autobiography in two volumes in 1924 and 1925.
Twain died on April 21, 1910 in Redding, Connecticut. He is remembered today as one of the greatest and most influential authors in American history.
3. Major Works
The works of William Shakespeare are some of the most renowned and beloved in all of literature. His plays and sonnets have been translated into multiple languages and performed around the world. His works are studied and analyzed in classrooms and universities alike.
Shakespeare wrote a total of 37 plays, which are divided into comedies, tragedies, and histories. Some of his most famous comedies include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming of the Shrew, and Twelfth Night. His tragedies include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth. His histories include Richard III, Henry V, and King John.
Shakespeare also wrote 154 sonnets, which are typically divided into two categories: the Fair Youth sonnets and the Dark Lady sonnets. The Fair Youth sonnets are addressed to a young man, while the Dark Lady sonnets are addressed to a mysterious woman. Some of the most famous sonnets include Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”), Sonnet 116 (“Let me not to the marriage of true minds”), and Sonnet 130 (“My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun”).
Shakespeare also wrote several narrative poems, including Venus and Adonis, The Rape of Lucrece, and The Phoenix and the Turtle. These poems explore themes of love, death, and betrayal.
In addition to his plays and poems, Shakespeare also wrote several apocryphal works, including The Two Noble Kinsmen, Edward III, and Sir Thomas More. These works are not universally accepted as being written by Shakespeare, but they are nonetheless important contributions to the English literary canon.
Shakespeare’s works have been adapted into countless films, television shows, and stage productions over the centuries. His works are still performed and studied today, and his influence on the English language is undeniable.
4. Literary Style
The literary style of Ernest Hemingway is unique in its simplicity and directness. He was a master of economy of words, often using few words to convey a great deal of meaning. He wrote in a terse, straightforward style that made his writing both accessible and profound.
Hemingway was a master of dialogue, using dialogue to convey character and emotion. He used dialogue to advance the plot and to convey the inner thoughts and feelings of his characters. He also used dialogue to create a sense of tension and suspense.
Hemingway’s use of imagery was vivid and evocative. He often used vivid descriptions of nature and its effects on the characters to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. He also used imagery to convey the inner thoughts and feelings of his characters.
Hemingway was a master of symbolism. He used symbols to convey deeper meanings than the words themselves. He often used symbols to convey themes of loss, love, and death. He used symbols to create a sense of mystery and to add a layer of complexity to his stories.
Hemingway also used irony to great effect. He often used irony to convey a sense of absurdity or to make a point about the absurdity of life. He also used irony to create a sense of tension and suspense.
Hemingway’s writing style was unique in its simplicity and directness. He used few words to convey a great deal of meaning, and he used dialogue, imagery, symbolism, and irony to great effect. His writing was accessible and profound, and it has had a lasting effect on literature and culture.
5. Legacy
The legacy of Mark Twain is one of the most celebrated in American literature. He is remembered as a humorist, satirist, and social commentator who used his writing to explore the complexities of human nature and society. His works have been translated into many languages and continue to be read and studied around the world.
Twain’s influence on American literature is undeniable. He is credited with popularizing the use of regional dialects and colloquialisms in literature, and his works are often seen as the foundation for modern American humor. He has been cited as an influence by many contemporary writers, including Ernest Hemingway and Kurt Vonnegut. His works are still widely read and taught in schools, and he is often credited with inspiring the “Great American Novel.”
Twain’s influence extended beyond literature. He was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and social justice, and his works often addressed issues of racism and slavery. He was also a vocal opponent of imperialism, and his works often explored the consequences of American expansionism. His works have been seen as prophetic in their examination of the human condition, and he is often credited with helping to shape American culture and values.
Twain’s influence can also be seen in popular culture. His works have been adapted into films, television shows, and even video games. His characters, such as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, are among the most recognizable in literature. He is also credited with popularizing the phrase “the Gilded Age” to describe the period of rapid industrialization and economic growth in the late 19th century.
Mark Twain’s legacy is one of the most enduring in American literature. He is remembered as a master of satire and humor, and his works continue to be read and studied around the world. His writings have shaped American culture and values, and his influence can be seen in literature, popular culture, and even politics. He will continue to be remembered as one of the greatest American writers of all time.
6. Conclusion
Harper Lee’s legacy as a celebrated American author is undeniable. Her 1960 novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is widely considered to be one of the greatest works of 20th century American literature, and its influence on society is still felt to this day. As a result of its success, Harper Lee became one of the most beloved authors of her time.
Harper Lee’s work has had a lasting impact on both literature and society. Her works are known for their strong moral messages, their exploration of complex social issues, and their themes of courage, justice, and innocence. Her writing style is often praised for its simplicity and clarity, and her novels are often seen as masterpieces of the Southern Gothic genre.
Harper Lee’s legacy is one of courage, justice, and compassion. Her works have served as a source of inspiration for generations of readers, and her contributions to literature and society are still felt to this day. Harper Lee’s work will continue to be studied and appreciated for many years to come, and her influence will continue to be felt in the hearts and minds of readers around the world.