Shakespeare\’s influence has flowed down through the generations and has left its mark on the words we use, on literature, film, and art. Authors have borrowed phrases from his work for the titles of their books (Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, for example) and movies have been based on his plays (West Side Story is a modern take on Romeo & Juliet).

Brush up on Your Shakespeare by Michael Macrone is an interesting tour through \’the most famous and quotable words and phrases from the Bard.\’ Common and uncommon words and phrases coined by Shakespeare, titles borrowed from Shakespeare, as well as phrases which have been wrongly attributed to Shakespeare are included in this book.

Art is another area which has felt the influence of Shakespeare. Ophelia, a character in Hamlet, is one of Shakespeare\’s most frequently painted subjects, with some artists such as John William Waterhouse, depicting her a number of times.
Below are paintings that have been inspired by the works of Shakespeare.