The Universal Themes of Shakespeare William Shakespeare’s works gained immortality due to the fact that the central themes in most of his plays encompass fundamental human emotions. Lust, jealousy, ambition, greed, betrayal, and revenge are universal themes that were evident in Shakespeare’s time, that are evident in our time, and that will be evident in the future. It is thought by many that “The great significance of Shakespeare is that despite the many …showed first 75 words of 837 total…

…showed last 75 words of 837 total…Shakespeare for Students. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Incorporated, 1992. Sen Gupta, S. C. Aspects of Shakespearean Tragedy. Calcutta, India: Oxford University Press, 1972. Shakespeare, William. Othello. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications, 1996. Works Cited Bartlett, John. Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations. Boston, MA: Little Brown and Company, 1980. Scott, Mark W. Shakespeare for Students. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Incorporated, 1992. Sen Gupta, S. C. Aspects of Shakespearean Tragedy. Calcutta, India: Oxford University Press, 1972. Shakespeare, William. Othello. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications, 1996.