Shakespeare is one of the most popular writers of all time.
Many people shy away from reading him because they think he is too difficult to read or understand.
I think that that this is a mistake, and everyone can benefit from reading more Shakespeare.
Is Shakespeare difficult to read? Yes, and that is exactly one reason that we should read him.
By reading things that are out of our comfort zone, we become better readers and become better at understanding the complexities of the English language.
There have been studies that have shown that reading Shakespeare actually has a lasting effect on our thought processes which lasts long after we have set the book down.
People say that Shakespeare makes up words, and this is partially true.
He uses words that are normally used as nouns as verbs, or words that are usually verbs as adjectives.
But he does it in a way that still adheres to the regular patterns of the English language.
When our brain hears a familiar sounding word used in a not-so-familiar way, it causes it to stretch and learn.
Learn about the human condition: Shakespeare's brilliance isn't solely due to his mastery of language.
It is also in large part because he understood so intimately what it means to be a human being.
His plays deal with timeless issues that we still face today.
Love, jealousy, heartbreak, guilt, regret, revenge, greed, lust: these are just a few of the topics that Shakespeare tackles.
For those that have not discovered the joy of Shakespeare, you are really missing out.
If you don't want to read him, at least make a point of catching a couple of his plays.
Hamlet, Macbeth, and Othello are among his most popular and would be a great starting point to see how much you like him.