Is it fair to say that Shakespeare’s literary craft aims for pleasure without moral intent? Questioning the famous dramatist’s artistic freedom means hammering the universal belief that criticizing William Shakespeare means denouncing the perfection and excellence of his artistry in writing. However, one undeniable truth is that criticism has so far helped the pioneering playwright establish his leadership in writing with some rare, exceptional, and unbeatable features.
Many literary experts opine that Shakespeare was very careful to please the audience. His priority was never to instruct people regarding any specific moral allegiance. Most of his creations embody his literary craft without serving any moral purpose.
The English playwright’s writings always uncover a versatility in his artistry and craftmanship. Many of his creations do indeed display a system blended with social duty. Many believe that it is the outcome of his reasonable thinking. Shakespeare never avoids the reality of the human world, whether bitter or sweet, while drawing a story, a plot, or crafting a character in his plays.
However, some corners always tend to question whether the dramatist ever tried to think morally while choosing and printing his words on paper. According to them, the English playwright’s moral deficiency is evident in his constant emphasis on the reasons and purposes behind those causes. There was no specific dogma or theory that inspired him to finish the characterization work. In brief, they suggest that it appears that Shakespeare aims for pleasure without moral intent in his writings.
It is true that William Shakespeare was never interested in projecting a specific set or formal philosophy. He never tried to prove a fixed case. He wrote plays to please the audience. His intention was never to run an aimed campaign to make the existing world better. However, some readers say that his ability to entertain people through captivating writing itself acts as the major source of engaging and inspiring them for the betterment of society.
In brief, these readers try to establish the fact that though Shakespearean dramas don’t follow any specified moral allegiance, they do have an encompassing moral atmosphere. Like the famous playwright John Galsworthy, Shakespeare never pinpointed or addressed ethics or moral lessons. He never told the audience or the readers what they should follow and do. Instead, he presented specific, recognizable human-related situations in which specific things and events occurred. Obviously, all these happenings had a strong connection with the audience.
William Shakespeare was an out-and-out practical dramatist. Available resources define his variety in writing as primarily aimed at the common theatergoers of his time. The playwright also had a robust understanding of what the audience hankered after from his story. In addition, he was well aware of the limits he needed to maintain while depicting that practicality in his creations.
Shakespeare knew very well one simple truth: human minds always remain thirsty for entertainment, and morality is the secondary option to follow. His famous plays, The Merchant of Venice, The Tragedy of Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet, are the best examples of how the famous dramatist crafted the storyline to please the audience and the readers. Now, some critics consider these masterpieces undeniably the best instances that show the dramatist primarily follow pleasure without moral intent theory while drawing the plot of his plays.
The English dramatist understood the inescapable reality that life was hard. Moreover, the flourish of chance and ironic circumstances was indeed numberless. But happiness, though achievable, always remained limited. Furthermore, only the fortunate ones who were truly wise realized how to enjoy delight. In truth, almost every Shakespearean creation unfolds this practical lesson, and it is up to the people whether they are ready to take it as mere practical wisdom or a moral lesson.
As a result, it is evident that Shakespearean creations have a moral context, or moral wholesomeness. Also, as a true dramatist, William Shakespeare’s artistry doesn’t unlock mere pleasure without moral intent. Every piece of writing by the English playwright carries a root of moral health. It depends on the reader’s and audience’s abilities to understand that insight.
Without a doubt, Shakespeare is one of those few rare dramatists who designed thoughts in a specific realist way and drew them on paper with the magic spell of words. His powerful portrayal always remains captivating and compels human minds to grasp even the last drop of enjoyment that every piece of his unique creations bestows. Careful studies of his writings easily make it clear that the author had a different but appealing style. Shakespearean characters themselves speak in their individual idioms.
Some readers criticize Shakespeare for using a large number of words, i.e., nearly twenty-one thousand. They opine that the English playwright used them to elaborate on his ideas only to produce entertainment. However, the opposite perspective doesn’t support this notion. According to this perspective, each minute drawing requires additional space to fully express the author’s intended insight.
Therefore, even though some corners question Shakespeare’s literary craft as the embodiment of pleasure without moral intent, in reality, the playwright always carries a moral artistry in his writings.
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