My history hero: Martin Shaw chooses William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
Award-winning actor Martin Shaw chooses William Shakespeare as a history hero
In profile
William Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, he wrote more than 30 plays and at least 154 sonnets. Many of his plays, which include Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth and Hamlet, have been adapted for television and cinema. More than 400 years after his death, he is still widely regarded as the greatest writer and dramatist in the English language. He is buried in Stratford-upon-Avon.
When did you first hear about Shakespeare?
At school. I had a wonderful English teacher, Alan Hill, who explained Shakespeare in a very enlightened way. But I must have also had an innate ability to understand the language because, unlike some of my classmates, I never found the Bard threatening.
What kind of man was he?
Nobody knows, do they? He’s one of the great enigmas of the age. We don’t even know what he looked like – but I hope that smiling portrait with the dashing earring is the real man. He was clearly a person of extraordinary depth, perception, intellect and learning.
And I don’t for one second hold with the idea that those plays were written by somebody else, though there is evidence that some of his later plays might have had bits added.
What made him a hero?
First, nobody can touch him as a dramatist. He’s the greatest playwright of all time, and no one else manages the depth and perception of his writing. What makes Shakespeare so special is that one keeps on discovering new ways of interpreting his work.
Second is his ability to see both sides of an argument when there is a conflict or dispute, and to express both pain and pleasure. He really understood human nature, and would have made a great psychologist.
What was his finest hour?
The most concentrated, flawless outpouring from his quill is Hamlet. It just contains ‘more’ of everything, and certain lines in the play – such as the “Not a whit. We defy augury” passage in Act 5, Scene 2 – are just transcendental.
Is there anything about him that you don’t particularly admire?
Not really. Some cast doubt on the accuracy of his portrayal of Richard III, but you have to remember that he was required to show support for the Tudor cause or risk retribution.
Do you think Shakespeare still speaks to young people today?
Sadly, no. I’m afraid there’s a growing intellectual laziness in society. Perhaps Shakespeare is just not as well taught now as in my day – or perhaps I was just extremely fortunate to have had a teacher who brought him alive? On the other hand, I have seen some brilliant young actors doing Shakespeare, and that is encouraging.
What would you ask Shakespeare if you could meet him?
I’d ask if there are any more plays we don’t know about. Perhaps, with modern technology, it might be possible to look into his grave with a mini-camera, without disturbing what’s left of his remains, to see if there is anything there. It’s an intriguing thought!
Martin Shaw is an award-winning actor of stage and screen, appearing in the 1971 film version of Macbeth. He plays Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons at Theatre Royal Bath 16–25 January 2025, then on national tour (theatreroyal.org.uk)
This article was first published in the January 2025 issue of BBC History Magazine
Authors
York Membery is a regular contributor to BBC History Magazine, the Daily Mail and Sunday Times among other publications. York, who lives in London, worked on the Mirror, Express and Times before turning freelance. He studied history at Cardiff University and the Institute of Historical Research, and has a History PhD from Maastricht University.