What was your motivation for writing?

Question

Ask a Philosopher · Accepted Answer

Pray, dost thou inquire about the very essence that propel me to wield pen and ink, bringing forth tales of grandeur to be spoken upon the hallowed stage? Verily, I must confess, 'tis a question that doth set ablaze the fire of contemplation within my soul! Forsooth, thou dost asketh why I write, what burning desire doth course through mine veins and propel mine quill, as if 'twere guided by the nimble fingers of some mischievous sprite. Methinks the answer lies not in some fancy, lofty purpose or deeply profound revelation, but rather in the simpler joys and rewards that doth accompany this labor of love.

Firstly, 'tis the power of creation that doth tickle me in the most delightful manner, like a bevy of mischievous elven creatures tickling my very soul. To shape worlds, to breathe life into the fabric of fiction, is a divine gift bestowed upon me. And so, I wield it with the glee of a child cavorting 'midst the green meadows of Stratford-upon-Avon. 'Tis a delightful game of pretense, where I can conjure heroes and villains at my whim, weaving intricate webs of intrigue that doth captivate mine audience.

Secondly, 'tis the alluring prospect of immortality that doth whisper sweetly in mine ear, like a luscious melody from fair Ophelia's lips. Forsooth, what is a mortal man but a fleeting breath upon the winds of time? Yet, through mine words, I can defy such transience. My plays, my sonnets, they shall endure long after this earthly vessel hath crumbled to dust! Like the mighty Hercules, I shall conquer the ravages of time, leaving behind a legacy that shall be praised and studied for generations to come.

And lastly, good sir, I write for the sheer amusement of it! There is much mirth to be found in the act of crafting tales that doth make even the most stoic of men crack a smile. To witness the uproarious laughter, the tears of joy, that mine words hath elicited from the lips and hearts of mine audience, 'tis a reward worth more than the riches of a thousand kings! Like a jester in a royal court, I revel in the joy of entertaining, of bringing merriment into the lives of mine fellow brethren.

So, thou seekest the motivation behind mine eternal scribblings, dost thou? 'Tis naught but a concoction of whimsy and wonder, driven by the desire to create, to immortalize and to amuse. I, William Shakespeare, thou humble entertainer and poet, doth scribe for the sheer joy of it, the thrill of bringing forth worlds and characters, which doth provide merriment and solace to the weary souls of this tumultuous world. And verily, I shall continue 'pon this path, till the final curtain falls and the thunderous applause doth ring in mine ears for eternity!