
SHAKESPEARE - A LECTURE
By Robert G. Ingersoll - Shakespeare.—An intellectual ocean, whose waves touched all the shores of thought.
SHAKESPEARE.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
This engaging lecture invites listeners into a sweeping contemplation of Shakespeare’s enduring influence, treating his body of work as an intellectual ocean whose waves have touched every shore of human thought. The speaker marvels at the playwright’s unparalleled genius, describing how his words have become the very architecture of poetry, drama, and imagination for centuries. With vivid language, the talk frames Shakespeare as a cultural beacon whose legacy continues to illuminate the human experience.
Shifting from admiration to inquiry, the lecture examines the humble beginnings of the Bard—born to modest, largely illiterate parents in a quiet Stratford village—while questioning the myths that surround his education and patronage. It explores how genius can emerge from ordinary circumstances, suggesting that the interplay of poverty, curiosity, and generational yearning fuels creative brilliance. Listeners are offered a thoughtful portrait that balances reverence with critical reflection, making the talk a compelling entry point into understanding Shakespeare’s mysterious rise and lasting impact.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (77K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2011-11-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1833–1899
A dazzling 19th-century speaker known as “the Great Agnostic,” he packed lecture halls with sharp wit, fearless criticism of orthodox religion, and a deep faith in reason and human dignity. Lawyer, Civil War veteran, and political voice all at once, he became one of the most famous public lecturers of his age.
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