Shakespeare At 450 Still A Celebrated Author

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Four-hundred fifty years since his birth and Shakespeare's work continues to be exciting. 2014 has become known as the Year of the Bard. He has been modernized in films such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "West Side Story" draws its theme from the same play with gangs suggesting the Capulets and Montagues.

We use his language daily: 'too much of a good thing,' from "As You Like It;" 'Knock, knock who's there' from "Macbeth;" 'It's Greek to me;' from "Julius Caesar;" and 'in a pickle' from "The Tempest."

This year the Free Library of Philadelphia in partnership with The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre and numerous other cultural organizations is offering a year of festive ways to celebrate throughout the region.

For theater, see 'Henry V" on October 22nd an exciting play at the Theatre; "King Lear," a high-powered film, one of a series, October 26th at Northeast Regional Library; or Shakespeare and Popular Culture, November 10th at Central Library.

Find more at Shakespeare at 450.