7 Lessons from Shakespeare All Writers Should Know
William Shakespeare is probably the greatest writer who ever walked on this planet.
I´ve read all his major plays and worked with a few of them as an actor.
Here are five key lessons YOU can take from him. Regardless if you are writing fiction or informational content.
1. Dynamics and Motion
Working with Shakespeare’s texts, I´ve noticed that his characters tend to shift and evolve at a more rapid pace. Contributing significantly to their character development.
Basically, the character’s thoughts and ideas are in constant motion.
This creates engagement because your brain is constantly stimulated.
For example, in Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy, Hamlet starts by debating whether life is worth living. He initially considers death as a peaceful escape. But quickly, he changes his mind. Going from despair to hesitation, very fast. This dynamic shift is a crucial aspect of his character development.
This makes the reader or listener engaged.
How to use this in your writing:
Allow your text, story or character to be dynamic and shift rapidly. Don´t stay on the same note for too long. Make your writing into a wonderful piece of music!
Example:
Instead of writing:
“Success is important, and everyone wants to achieve it. You need to work hard and stay focused to reach your goals.”
Try something more dynamic:
“Success — everyone craves it. But what is it really? A prize? A race? Or maybe, just maybe, it’s something else altogether. You work, you push, you reach — but are you running toward it, or is it slipping away faster than you realize?”Notice how the thoughts shift from the common idea of success. To a more complex, questioning tone. This creates a sense of motion, keeping the reader’s mind constantly engaged.
Much like Shakespeare’s characters.
2. Timeless Emotions
Shakespeare’s characters are unforgettable because they deal with emotions everyone experiences.
Characters like Hamlet or Macbeth struggle with love, jealousy, ambition, or fear. Feelings we all understand. Sharing a personal story can make these emotions more relatable and impactful. How to use this in your writing:
Base your writing on emotions everyone feels: love, fear, sadness, or anger. This applies to all writing, because every form of storytelling has conflict.
Example: A person who wants to be successful but is afraid of failure. That could be you when you write about your personal struggle in any field of life.
3. Using Descriptive Language to Evoke Emotion
“Show Don´t Tell” is the golden rule, especially in fiction writing.
Shakespeare was a master of that. And he not only showed, he also managed to show, in a beautiful language.
For instance, Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet” expresses her love by comparing it to the boundless sea. Making her emotions seem endless.
How to use this in your writing:
Choose words that connect with your reader’s emotions.
Use language that makes readers see, hear, or feel what your character is experiencing.
Example:
Instead of just saying, “She was sad,” you might write, “Her tears fell like rain on a dark, lonely night.”
A less poetic example:
“I was stressed about the deadline,”
you could write:
“My heart raced as the clock ticked down.”
4. The Art of Pacing and Tension
Shakespeare was great at controlling the speed of the story. He knew when to slow down to build suspense and when to speed up for action.
In “Macbeth”, he slowly shows the main character losing his mind. Making the audience feel more tension with each scene.
How to use this in your writing:
Slow down during important moments to build suspense or emotion. — Speed up during action or when things are about to change.
Example:
Lets say you are writing about personal development.
“Procrastination is a heavy weight. You sit there, staring at the task in front of you, feeling the pressure build with every passing minute. The longer you wait, the harder it gets. Your mind races with excuses — ‘I’ll start tomorrow,’ ‘Maybe it’s not that important.’ But deep down, you know it is. The tension grows as the clock ticks, and suddenly, something shifts. You make a decision, take a deep breath, and dive in. The weight lifts, and the momentum builds quickly as you tackle one task after another.”
By slowing down the description of the initial struggle. And then speeding up when action is finally taken. You create a sense of relief and progress.
5. Story Structure
Story structure is the backbone of any engaging narrative.
It provides a framework for the events of the story to unfold, creating tension, suspense, and surprise. Understanding story structure is essential for writers, as it helps them to craft a compelling narrative that captures the audience’s attention.
Shakespeare was a master of story structure, often using the classic three-act structure to build his plays. This structure includes:
Exposition: The beginning of the story, where the setting, characters, and situation are introduced. Think of the opening scenes of Romeo and Juliet, where we learn about the feud between the Montagues and Capulets.
Rising Action: A series of events that build on each other, creating tension and conflict. In Macbeth, the rising action includes Macbeth’s ascent to power and the increasing paranoia that follows.
Climax: The most intense and critical moment in the story, where the conflict reaches its peak. For instance, the climax in Hamlet occurs during the duel between Hamlet and Laertes.
Falling Action: The series of events that follow the climax, where the conflict is resolved. After the climax in Othello, the falling action includes Othello’s realization of his tragic mistake.
Resolution: The conclusion of the story, where the loose ends are tied up. In The Tempest, the resolution sees Prospero forgiving his enemies and reclaiming his dukedom.
How to use this in your writing:
Plan your story structure before you start writing. Outline the key events in each section to ensure a logical flow.
Use the hero’s journey or the three-act structure to guide your narrative. These classic story structures are timeless and effective.
Create tension and suspense by carefully pacing the rising action and climax. Keep your readers on the edge of their seats.
Example:
If you’re writing a novel, start with a strong exposition that introduces your main character and their world. Build tension through a series of challenges and conflicts, leading to a dramatic climax. Resolve the story with a satisfying conclusion that ties up loose ends and leaves your readers feeling fulfilled.
By understanding and applying story structure, you can create narratives that are both compelling and memorable.
6. Crafting Compelling Characters
Crafting compelling characters is essential for any story.
Characters are the heart of the narrative, and their actions and decisions drive the plot forward. To create compelling characters, writers need to consider several key elements:
Motivation: What drives the character? What are their goals and desires? In Hamlet, Hamlet’s motivation is to avenge his father’s death.
Conflict: What obstacles do the characters face? How do they overcome them? In Othello, Othello faces the conflict of jealousy and betrayal.
Character Arc: How do the characters change and grow throughout the story? Macbeth’s character arc shows his transformation from a noble warrior to a paranoid tyrant.
Dialogue: How do the characters speak and interact with each other? Shakespeare’s use of dialogue reveals much about his characters’ personalities and motivations.
Backstory: What is the character’s history? How has it shaped them into the person they are today? In King Lear, Lear’s backstory as a powerful king influences his tragic downfall.
How to use this in your writing:
Develop detailed character profiles that include their motivations, conflicts, and backstories. This will help you create rich, multi-dimensional characters.
Use dialogue to reveal character traits and advance the plot. Pay attention to how your characters speak and interact with each other.
Show character growth through a well-defined character arc. Let your characters evolve in response to the events of the story.
Example:
Instead of writing a flat character who is simply “brave,” show their bravery through their actions and decisions.
Perhaps they face a fearsome challenge and, despite their fear, choose to confront it head-on. This not only makes the character more relatable but also adds depth to your narrative.
By focusing on these elements, you can create characters that are complex, nuanced, and relatable.
Compelling characters are essential for any story, as they help to create a narrative that is engaging, memorable, and impactful.
Incorporate these literary lessons and creative writing tips into your work, and you’ll be well on your way to crafting characters that resonate with your readers.
7. Universal Themes
Shakespeare wrote about themes that apply to everyone, no matter where or when they live.
These themes — like love, betrayal, or death — make his writing meaningful and timeless.
In “King Lear”, the theme of betrayal is powerful as Lear feels wronged by his daughters. Showing how betrayal can destroy relationships.
Shakespeare was a master of story structure, often utilizing the classic story structure to craft his timeless narratives. This structure, with its essential beats and shared elements, contributes to the conflict and reader engagement in his plays.
How to use this in your writing:
Focus on big ideas like love, power, or loss that everyone can relate to.
Weave these themes into your story so that your readers feel connected to them.
Use the hero’s journey or the three-act structure to guide your narrative. The hero’s journey, with its transformative arc and emotional resonance, can add depth to your story.
Example: A story about someone losing a friend or a job. Could explore the universal theme of grief and healing.
CONCLUSION
Shakespeare’s work stays relevant because it speaks to basic human emotions and experiences.
As Shakespeare himself wrote in “Hamlet”, “Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice”.
Meaning: listen and learn from others, but always find your own voice!
Key Takeaways
Make sure your writing is dynamic & in motion
Write from relatable emotions
Choose language that evokes strong feelings
Pace your writing to create suspense
Explore universal themes like love or betrayal
