Henry IV, Part I; Henry IV, Part II; Richard II; Henry V; and The Taming of the Shrew
Harold Bloom famously asserted that Shakespeare is the central figure of the Western literary canon, believing that his works are not only masterpieces of drama and poetry but also foundational to our understanding of human nature. According to Bloom, Shakespeare’s characters—such as Hamlet, Macbeth, and Lear—are so richly developed and psychologically complex that they have shaped how we think about ourselves and others. Bloom credited Shakespeare with the "invention of the human," suggesting that through his exploration of identity, morality, and the human experience, Shakespeare defined what it means to be human in the modern sense. His influence extends beyond literature into philosophy, psychology, and culture, making Shakespeare an unparalleled figure in Western thought and artistic expression.
"Shakespeare is the Canon. He sets the standard and the limits of literature." - Harold Bloom
