Few men live to see their 100th birthday. Fewer still are given any sort of remembrance or recognition on such an occasion even a decade after their passing. The fact that Sir William Shakespeare’s birthday is being celebrated nearly four centuries after his death speaks volumes about his greatness and the impact he had on the world.
On April 26, the quaint English town of Stratford-upon-Avon became a lively and bustling hub for all things Shakespeare. Performers took to both the stage and the streets, reciting lines from Shakespeare’s illustrious collection of works. Many dressed in clothing reminiscent of the Elizabethan era to represent characters from the plays or even the Bard himself. A crowd quickly formed around a group of actors near the Shakespeare Birthplace wearing their ordinary street clothes as they began to perform scenes from his plays. One of the most iconic sights of the day was perhaps the 20-foot tall mechanical representation of Lady Godiva that roamed the streets of Stratford. Shakespeare’s likeness was displayed as far as the eye could see, on flags, banners, and even in shop windows, as his hometown proudly paid tribute to its famous poet.
One of the most notable things that I took away from this event was its overall atmosphere. On many occasions, the cause for celebration can become secondary to the event itself, with its greater meaning becoming lost in the excitement. Walking around town, it became apparent that the prevailing mood was a sense of reverence for both the man and his work. Even children that were barely of school age seemed to respect Shakespeare, possessing some understanding of his contributions to the English language and literature. Shakespeare is a figure that is truly ingrained with a significant portion of modern-day English culture, and Saturday’s events were an appropriate demonstration of respect for a man who has been so important to the country and the world as a whole for the past four-and-a-half centuries.