Inspired by Shakespeare

Shakespeare's influence has flowed down through the generations and has left its mark on the words we use, on literature, film, and art. Authors have borrowed phrases from his work for the titles of their books (Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, for example) and movies have been based on his plays (West Side Story is a modern take on Romeo & Juliet).

Brush up on Your Shakespeare by Michael Macrone is an interesting tour through 'the most famous and quotable words and phrases from the Bard.' Common and uncommon words and phrases coined by Shakespeare, titles borrowed from Shakespeare, as well as phrases which have been wrongly attributed to Shakespeare are included in this book.

Art is another area which has felt the influence of Shakespeare. Ophelia, a character in Hamlet, is one of Shakespeare's most frequently painted subjects, with some artists such as John William Waterhouse, depicting her a number of times.
Below are paintings that have been inspired by the works of Shakespeare.

Hermia & Helena by Joseph Severn (1819) A Midsummer Night's Dream

Ophelia by John Waterhouse (1889) Hamlet

Ophelia by John Waterhouse (1894) Hamlet

Ophelia by John Waterhouse (1910) Hamlet

Lady Macbeth by John Singer Sargent (1889) Macbeth

 King Lear by Edwin Austin Abbey (1898)

 The First Madness of Ophelia by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1868) Hamlet

Titania by Henry Meynell Rheam (1859-1920) A Midsummer Night's Dream

The Play Scene in Hamlet by Edwin Austin Abbey (1897)

 Gonerill & Reagan by Edwin Austin Abbey (1902) King Lear

Ophelia by John Everett Millais (1852) Hamlet

Miranda by John William Waterhouse(1916) The Tempest

 The Princes in the Tower by John Everett Millais (1878) Richard III

Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing by William Blake (c.1876) A Midsummer Night's Dream

Ferdinand Lured by Ariel by John Everett Millais (1849) The Tempest

Juliet by Philip Hermogenes Calderon (1888) Romeo & Juliet

Much Ado About Nothing by Alfred Enmore 1846

Jessica by Sir Samuel Luke Fildes (1888) The Merchant of Venice






Claudio, Deceived by Don John Accuses Hero by Marcus Stone (c.1861) Much Ado About Nothing

Perdita by Anthony Frederick Sandys (1866) The Winter's Tale

Desdemona by Frederic Leighton (1888) Othello

Othello and Desdemona in Venice by Theodore Chasseriau (1850) Othello