# William Shakespeare — What Is Art? character guide

> William Shakespeare in What Is Art? by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Who they are

Playwright cited as universal artist by Tolstoy.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/iv)

Cited as part of the art canon, specifically Romeo and Juliet.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/xii)

Cited as an authority set up by criticism that leads to imitation.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/xvi)

His works are judged by the criterion and found wanting as exclusive art.

## Links

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