Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to William Shakespeare or his works: Describes anything connected to the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare (1564-1616), his writings, his style, or the era of his influence.
   • Characteristic of Shakespeare's style: Having qualities typical of Shakespeare's writing, such as complex characters, poetic language, profound themes, or dramatic structure.

2. Noun:

   • A scholar or expert on Shakespeare: A person who specializes in the study of William Shakespeare and his works.
   • An actor specializing in Shakespeare's plays: A performer renowned for acting in roles from Shakespeare's dramas.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The theater company is known for its Shakespearian productions.
  • He delivered the soliloquy with true Shakespearian passion.
• Noun:
  • She is a leading Shakespearian who has published several books on Hamlet.
  • The famous Shakespearian took the stage to perform as King Lear.

Advanced Usage

• In a broader cultural sense: Can describe situations, dramas, or characters in real life that resemble the scale, tragedy, or complexity found in Shakespeare's plays.
  • The political scandal unfolded with almost Shakespearian dimensions of betrayal and ambition.

Variants and Related Words

• Shakespearean: This is the more common and standard variant spelling. "Shakespearian" and "Shakespearean" are used interchangeably, with the latter being prevalent.
  • We are studying Shakespearean sonnets.
• Shakespearian/Shakespearean tragedy: A specific genre of tragedy as defined by Shakespeare's works like or .
• Shakespearian/Shakespearean comedy: A comedy following the patterns found in Shakespeare's plays like .

Synonyms

• Adjective: Bardic (relating to 'the Bard,' a common name for Shakespeare), Elizabethan (relating to the era, though not exclusively Shakespeare).
• Noun: Shakespeare scholar, Bardologist.

Related Phrases

• Shakespearian/Shakespearean English: Refers to the Early Modern English used by Shakespeare, which contains some archaic words and grammatical structures.
  • Some students find Shakespearian English challenging to understand at first.
• Shakespearian/Shakespearean actor: An actor particularly skilled in performing Shakespeare's works.

Adjective

1. of or relating to William Shakespeare or his works
   • Shakespearean plays

Noun

1. a Shakespearean scholar