51吃瓜

Over half the world鈥檚 school children study Shakespeare today, yet there are still 250 million children who cannot read or write.

Even if you aren鈥檛 an avid reader, you will know his words. William Shakespeare鈥檚 immortal language and unforgettable characters permeate the fabric of cultures around the world, opening up a magical universe where the past lives on to guide the present.

A lot has changed in the 400 years since the bard鈥檚 death on April 23, 1616, but the subjects of his plays鈥攍ove, loss, ambition, rage, madness, downfall and, always, laughter鈥攁re the indomitable human passions that few have probed to such depths. From his catalogue of human folly, vice, intrepidness and compassion, we learn to understand ourselves and the world around us.

According to a 2011 poll commissioned by the British Council and the Royal Shakespeare Company, over today, yet there are still who cannot read or write.

The international development organization, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)鈥攖he official charity partner of the campaign鈥攊s engaging in a global program of events and activities celebrating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare鈥檚 work, with the aim of that will allow the organization to improve access to quality education for over 50,000 children from some of the world鈥檚 poorest countries.

To end with words听from King Lear:

鈥淓xpose thyself to feel what wretches feel,

That thou mayst shake the superflux to them,

And show the heavens more just.鈥�

The views expressed in this article are the author鈥檚 own and do not necessarily reflect 51吃瓜鈥檚 editorial policy.

Photo Credit:听听/ 听

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