Identifying William Shakespeare with a specific style is nearly impossible. We can’t pinpoint a particular Shakespearean approach in his portraying the drama characters. Shakespeare’s insight into characters is exceptionally versatile. Cassius, Brutus, Octavius, Desdemona, Celia, Shylock, and Macbeth are few examples of that versatility.
In Julius Caesar, Cassius becomes alive to us with his speeches. Brutus possesses different ways of perceiving worldly things. His different manner of speech is rare. On the other hand, Octavius appears as a distinct character with his iconic articulation. Also, Shylock’s utterances in the Merchant of Venice are fascinating. In short, Shakespeare unlocks a unique rhythm of psychic magic. It seems that readers can find Shakespeare alive in every character.
It is indeed true that Shakespeare’s power of characterization is infinite. It is his choice to make characters interesting, tragic, or unexciting. For instance, Desdemona and Lady Macbeth are two different interesting characters. But they both have a sad fate. They are diversely sparkling with a similar destiny.
Also, Shakespeare is an expert in drawing human pathos. His characters, time and again, rise above the plot. Even an absurd scenario becomes alive with the extraordinary surrounding. Moreover, characters sometimes appear too natural for their surrounding. Shylock in The Merchant of Venice is one such character.
The introductory ambiance starts figuring Shylock as a comic character. But the playwright molds the figure with a different tone. And the key antagonist in the play finally appears with a tragic note. Sketching a figure with such rare potential is Shakespeare’s signature style. And that is why readers find it hard to criticize Shakespeare’s insight into characters.
The greatest ever playwright is also a perfectionist in drawing human passion, romance, and comedy. Celia in As You Like It unfolds how the Shakespearean approach makes human passion for romance alive. Additionally, the dramatist shows how a not-so-important character becomes an inevitable part of the plot. Jaques is one such character in the said play. The opening part shows Jaques, a man with no business in the main storyline. However, he becomes very much alive in the latter part. He plays a pivotal role in holding up the dramatic action. Even his position in commandeering the audience’s interest is undeniable. And, some of his famous speeches enhance the actual tone of the story.
So the above words have made it very clear that being a perfectionist, Shakespeare’s deep insight in portraying personae is unmatchable. Like the contemporary playwrights, the current dramatists even envy his potentiality. His profound insight contains two exquisite qualities.
The first one is – Excellent character development: It is nearly impossible to deny that insightful evolution in character development is the backbone behind Shakespearean inventions. Logical improvement with a proper sequence of reactions by characters creates a captivating ambiance.
Moreover, the response of the characters in every turning point of the tragic plays always appears intuitively accurate. In reality, the playwright’s masterly perfection makes this accuracy inevitable in the dramatic progress. And this masterly craft is still an unsolvable equation for the experts and readers. The all-time famous tragic drama The Tragedy of Macbeth reveals the said perfection.
Macbeth shows a fascinating but painful transformation of a man’s soul. The play reveals how an evil deed faces the wrath of justice. And, thereby, makes room to crave genuine compassion. As the play proceeds, readers can witness how the playwright sets the stages of Macbeth’s degradation. The essential part is Shakespeare shows no mercy to reveal the progress of degradation. Even though the character successfully unlocks the platform for readers’ compassion.
Also, in Julius Caesar, Brutus emerges as the embodiment of wilful blind realism. His bit-by-bit disillusionment is very much real. It helps the readers to read Brutus’ destiny. In short, readers can recognize the final writing on the wall.
The development of these characteristics uncovers a vital lesson. It says success and failure are inevitable depending on the mode of action. In addition, it teaches us to admire and respect a person with all his faults and frailty. Brutus, as portrayed by Shakespeare, leaves a long-lasting impact. Even his fragile impression never unseal the familiar feeling of falsehood. And here lies the polishing of perfection. The said excellence is, no doubt, possible only with Shakespeare’s insight into characters.
Now, the second Shakespearean magnificence includes unlocking worldwide appeal while portraying different characters.
In short, Unsealing widespread appeal by creating various characters: The creation of diverse characters with deep profundity is Shakespeare’s tempting hallmark. These characters include persons coming from all walks of life.
As a playwright, Shakespeare has the power to read different characters deeply. His vivid presentation makes them identical to the real world. Even readers can mark them as living embodies of their world.
The various kinds of characters also include fools, drunkards, pickpockets, dandies, court ladies, hired murderers, and many others. All of them spring to life in the plays. On the contrary, many readers mark King Lear and Hamlet more as historical characters. It is the delicacy of characterization that makes different persona alive in varied modes.
It is undeniably true that vivid personation of so many contrasting temperaments is a difficult task. It is possible only with a wide range of acquaintance with women and men. And William Shakespeare is a genius in implementing it with flawless insight and accuracy.
