William Shakespeare is perhaps the most widely studied wordsmith, who is also strongly connected to the present day image of Valentine’s Day. He was the one who has popularized and solidified the romantic love of Valentine after the time of Chaucer, with his works capturing 16th century Britain and Europe by storm. His literary contributions to this widely celebrated day is notable, particularly in how strikingly beautiful and statuesque his portrayals are. His classic works, such as Hamlet, Othello, and Romeo and Juliet remains to be works of mystique. It is interesting to note though, that most too often, we have forgotten to appreciate his insightful visions of love.
Instead of a blatant tribute to Valentine’s Day (which he has only mentioned twice in his works), Shakespeare revels the beauty of love itself. In Romeo and Juliet, he sheds light upon the thirst for love, and the courage that manifests from it. The young protagonists in the play becomes the icons for courageous love, whose viewpoints and actions are still being studied and celebrated today. This notion of courageous love is further extended in Macbeth, with the notable words of “Who could refrain, / That had a heart to love, and in that heart / Courage to make’s love known?” In the eyes of modern day lovers, Shakespeare’s words are not only beautiful works of literature, but we must also remember that it serves meanings which are close to heart, making it a classic tribute to our instincts of love.
Artworks by Leonid Afremov