# William Shakespeare — Essays character guide

> William Shakespeare in Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0001-self-reliance

## Who they are

Renowned English playwright and poet, cited as the epitome of the poetic genius.

## In the story

### [History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/history)

His 'strain' is claimed by the narrator; his words about kings are felt as true by a common boy reading in a corner.

### [Compensation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/compensation)

Similarly referenced as a 'fragment of the soul' that can be made one's own through love, exemplifying how great minds are accessible to all.

### [Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/love)

His characters Romeo and Juliet are the archetypal examples of passionate, embodied love that sees the entire world in the beloved, though this is a stage, not the end.

### [Friendship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/friendship)

Referenced implicitly through the poetic discussion of love and friendship's power to transform the world ('a young world'), aligning with the theme of the poet's expression.

### [Prudence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/prudence)

Implied through the reference to 'tyrannous Richard the Third,' whose crimes are presented as less genuinely tragic than the internal conflict of characters like Tasso.

### [Heroism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/heroism)

Contextually present through the discussion of English dramatists and the 'heroic cast of character and dialogue' in plays of that era.

### [Circles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/circles)

Cited as an example of a genius whose work, like Greek sculpture, is part of a flowing cultural current that will be succeeded by new creations.

### [The Poet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/the-poet)

Referenced alongside Plutarch as a figure whose era seems to wane ('in the yellow leaf') with the arrival of a new poetic spirit.

### [Character](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/character)

Named as an author whose works are cherished by those with character, forming part of their intellectual and spiritual property.

### [Manners](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/manners)

Praised as 'the best-bred man in England and in Christendom' because his dialogue is naturally great and warm with life, not artificial.

### [Gifts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/gifts)

Alluded to through the mention of 'Timons', a reference to the character Timon of Athens, who embodies the ingratitude of beneficiaries.

### [New England Reformers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/new-england-reformers)

His work 'Hamlet' is listed among the masterpieces (like the Iliad, Doric column) that genius casts behind as poor compared to the infinite idea that inspired it.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/characters/shakespeare
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/characters