William Shakespeare was born in 1564. He wrote over 30 plays and died in 1616. This was over 400 hundred years ago, yet we still study his works today. Shakespeare is taught in English classes world-wide so the question is, why do Shakespeare's works endure? There are many theories and ideas, most undoubtedly sound and sporting concrete evidence. One of the many theories and answers to this question brings up neologism, the coining or use of new words - something Shakespeare was very fond of.

               One of the many plays Shakespeare wrote was The Tempest. Set in the 1600s, The Tempest tells the story of Prospero, a magician and the former Duke of Milan raising his daughter, Miranda, on a deserted island he has been exiled to. Prospero uses his magic powers to create a storm that brings his enemies to the island through a shipwreck. Here, he forgives them while Miranda falls in love with Ferdinand, one of the shipwrecked men. The play ends with the two of them planning to get married alongside Miranda's father who plans to rejoin civilization. William Shakespeare was known for his plays, both comedic and disastrous. The Tempest is clearly a comedy but there is always the other side of the coin. Another one of Shakespeare's most notable works is Hamlet. Hamlet follows the story of the Prince of Denmark, Hamlet. After an encounter with his father's ghost that left him with a desire to avenge the King's death, Hamlet quickly becomes consumed in his own thoughts and doubts that lead to his insanity and the death of many characters, including Hamlet himself. While these two infamous plays may seem to have no clear connection aside from being written by the same author, a closer look will reveal many things, such as the fact that both The Tempest and Hamlet have new words coined by Shakespeare, both deal with supernatural elements, both explore unique themes such as betrayal, revenge, and the human condition, and last but not least, both have had a lasting impact on English literature, whether it be through the language, the themes, or even the plot.

               While it is known that Shakespeare's works are important, not many people know why. Different scholars and historians have debated over one single reason Shakespeare's works endure but, in reality, there are many reasons. The first of many is Shakespeare's influence on the English Language and the transition between Early Modern English and Modern English. The second is the idea that Shakespeare helped to standardize spelling and grammar in English, leading to the spelling and grammar we use today. A third reason contributing to the survival of Shakespeare's works is, of course, the themes and ideals found in every single one of his works from Claudius' betrayal in Hamlet, Juliet's love in Romeo and Juliet, to Puck's mischief in A Midsummer's Night Dream. These and many more reasons are why Shakespeare's works endure, the answer to the overarching question addressed in this essay.

               These reasons, particularly the first mentioned above, bring up the idea that Shakespeare himself was a prominent part in the shift between Early Modern English (1500-1700) to Late Modern English (1700-1900) and finally to Modern English (1900-present). English and language as a whole is just as alive as you and me. There are many things that can influence the way we sound, the way we use the language. The way we perceive language can even spark a change. Shakespeare's works contributed to what is called Language Change. Change is unpredictable, particularly in language and the way it's used. Within the ever-changing study of Language Change are two main parts: internal influence (the way we use language) and historical forces (how historical or outside events change language). Shakespeare's works are within the category of internal influences. His habit of neologism and word play changed English by not only contributing to the standardization of the English language, but also to the expansion of our everyday language and the growing vocabulary of Modern English. His lasting influence and themes also contributed to our culture and the way we perceive things today.

               As mentioned before, neologism is the coining of a new word or phrase. William Shakespeare did a lot of neologism in his works – in total, he added over 1700 new and unique words to our vocabulary. A fascinating article by Charlotte Brewer, a professor at Hertford College, Oxford, goes into detail about the kind of words and phrases Shakespeare used and invented. "On countless occasions he is identified [in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)] either as the sole user of the locution in question, or as the first user, with other writers coming after him whether in conscious imitation or coincident adoption of the same usage." (Brewer). Shakespeare's unique vocabulary is still in use today with words like 'bedroom', 'eyeball', 'what's done is done' and countless others, words and phrases that we are familiar with now. Brewer mentions the Oxford English Dictionary many times throughout the article to contribute to the fact that Shakespeare was very proficient in making neologisms. Brewer goes on to mention that if we "turn to what is still the most comprehensive authority on English vocabulary for the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, the Oxford English Dictionary, in order to see just how innovative Shakespeare was in using such characteristically vivid words and compounds, we often find good justification for the intuition that Shakespeare was lexically creative." (Brewer). Shakespeare's creativity and knack for neologisms is what helped revolutionize the English language and standardize spelling in Early Modern English. Furthermore, the influence of his works contributed to the shifting of Early Modern English to the Modern English we know today – proof of this influence scrawled across the pages of the OED and embedded in our culture today.

               Another interesting paper written by Florida Parvin and Shariful Islam outlines the impact Shakespeare had on the English language, specifically Early Modern English, Early New English, or Elizabethian English from the late 15th century to the last 17th century and today's modern english. "Before Shakespearean time, the language of English was accurately not consistent. His writings significantly contributed to the standardization of English grammar, language, spelling, vocabulary and literature." (Parvin, Shariful). Shakespeare revolutionized the English language - to the point that his works, phrases, and the 1,000+ words he penned are still in use today.

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(conclusion[?]) Parvin and Islam continue, claiming that "the influence of William Shakespeare has spread over in modern movies, dramas, Eastern and Western philosophies, English language and also in literature. Writings of Shakespeare have also influenced many world-famous novelists, playwrights and poets over the years." Shakespeare's influence – not just on English but modern literature, philosophies, and movies – has reached to the edges of the Earth, changing the world.

but also to the expansion of our everyday language and the growing vocabulary of Modern English. His lasting influence and themes also contributed to our culture and the way we perceive things today

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