Shakespeare's plays remain popular 400 years after his death because the themes and situations presented still resonate with modern audiences. Some of the most enduring themes in his works include love, revenge, lust for power, and the basic nature of humanity. While some things have changed since Shakespeare's time, such as advances in medicine and views on gender, the core human experiences he explored still apply to people today. As a result, Shakespeare's plays maintain their relevance in the modern world.

1. Shakespeare: Then and Now By Jesse Byers

2. Intro 400 years after Shakespeare’s death, his works still remain popular and are performed in many theatres. What is it about his plays that allow audiences and readers today to still connect with the characters?

3. Shakespeare’s Themes All’s Well That Ends Well Women’s intelligence Prejudices based on outer appearances Nothing is what it first seems to be Hamlet Revenge Life vs. Death Madness vs. Acting

4. Shakespeare’s Themes Macbeth Lust for Power Power of Temptation Guilt A Midsummer Night’s Dream Love triumphs over all

5. Shakespeare’s Themes Romeo and Juliet Passion can cloud one’s judgement Fate Love Twelfth Night Love and everything about it Not all is as it seems

6. Shakespeare’s Themes In today’s world, many of the previously stated themes still apply. People still fall in and out of love, people still hate each other, people still seek revenge.

7. The Nature of Things People In the 400 years since Shakespeare wrote his plays, people haven’t changed much. Shakespeare wrote about humanity’s basic nature- how people interact, how people fall in love, how people express fear, anger, and doubt, etc.

8. The Nature of Things People Some things have changed over the years, since humans are constantly adapting to our environment. For instance, medicine has evolved past what it was in Shakespeare’s time, so people live longer. Women are now considered equals, unlike 4 centuries ago. Things have changed, but Shakespeare stays relevant.

9. Relevance Shakespeare’s plays stay relevant today because the situations presented still apply. Romeo and Juliet- young people still fall in love against their families’ wishes. It may not be as bloody, but the conflict is there. Hamlet- People still question tradition, hesitate, long to get revenge, and they still contemplate suicide

10. Relevance Macbeth- people still crave power, take bad advice, murder others, and go power mad Midsummer Night’s Dream- People fall in love, want to chase their dreams, and an audience still likes a comedy with a happy ending.

11. References Cummings, M. J. (n.d.) Shake sphere: A comprehensive study guide for the world of williamshakespeare. Retreived June 19, 2009, from http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xShakeSph.html#ThePlays (the themes of plays)