Bridge of words
#WilliamShakespeare's writings inspired by a rich idea of India
As the world celebrates the 450th birth anniversary of the Bard of Avon William Shakespeare today, let's look back on how the playwright knew and wrote about India. Shakespeare lived at a time when India was ruled by Akbar the Great, or the Great Mogor as he was referred to by the sea-faring Europeans, whose long reign was marked by opulence, harmony and a resultant peace.
There are various references to India in Shakespearean plays. He uses words like Ind, Inde, India, Indies (East) and Indian to refer to a country fabulously rich. The earliest reference to India occurs in 'King Henry VI' (Act III, Scene I):
"My crown is in my heart, not on my head; not decked with diamonds and Indian stones, nor to be seen: my crown is called content, a crown it is that seldom kings enjoy."
The maximum number of times India has been referred to in a single play is four, in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. India appears in this play as the land of gold and sunshine.
Read more: mymea.in/a3j
India Today
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