How does Shakespeare help us today?/Why does Shakespeare matter?

Shakespeare's work can be a useful tool to help us better understand some of the issues we face today in modern culture. This is because many of Shakespeare's characters remain remarkably relevant today. For example, the psychology and narcissistic qualities of Shakespeare's tyrants, such as Macbeth, Richard III, Julius Caesar, Hamlet and Coriolanus. Studying Shakespeare's characters helps us articulate and trace the inner workings of our most urgent contemporary dilemma's, such as the rise of Trumpism and questions surrounding tyranny and power, for example:How does a disastrous leader, a sociopath, a narcissist, truly come to power?How and why does a tyrant hold onto power?What really goes on in the psyche of the tyrants soul?

TG
Answered by Thomas G. English Literature tutor

3817 Views

See similar English Literature GCSE tutors

Related English Literature GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How does Orwell use 'allegory' in 'Animal Farm'?


How do I go about analysing unseen poetry?


Referring to HG Wells' 'Time Machine', how does the author in lines 12-25 of the extract use language and structure to show the narrator's thoughts and feelings about the people he meets? (Edexcel GCSE 2018)


How are women portrayed in 'Of Mice and Men'?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning