William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, and also the world’s greatest dramatist. While he’s better known for his plays than his poetry, no survey of English literature would be complete without him.

This week, I break my rules to read one of the most important passages in the entire English language: Hamlet’s Soliloquy, which has not only a great deal to teach us about being a man, but about being human as well.

I also explore Shakespeare’s mysterious background, plus the uncertain origins of his most famous play, and the cultural, literary, and artistic impacts of both.

This episode has been a monumental and transformative effort for me, fitting for my tenth episode of Poetry for Men. Thank you so much for continuing with me on this journey.

LINKS

Hamlet’s Soliloquy

William Shakespeare on Wikipedia

Homer’s “The Illiad”

“The Epic of Gilgamesh”

Filippo Brunelleschi

Paulo Coehlo “The Alchemist”

Harold Bloom “The Best Poems of the English Language”

Harold Bloom on Charlie Rose

Bardcode: The Sonnets

THE RENAISSANCE OF MEN

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