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麻豆官网首页入口 Coventry and Warwickshire website team
In a poll conducted by the 麻豆官网首页入口, Coventry's Sir Frank Whittle got into the Top 100 Great Britons, but Warwickshire's Shakespeare made it into the Top 10.
The results are now in, however, and William Churchill has won the title of Great Briton.
The shortlisted Top 10 Great Britons were: Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Elizabeth I, Sir Winston Churchill, John Lennon, Oliver Cromwell, Viscount Horatio Nelson, Charles Darwin, Sir Isaac Newton, Diana, Princess of Wales and our William Shakespeare.
Email us to have your say on whether Shakespeare should have won the greatest of them all.
Amy Elias, 麻豆官网首页入口 Coventry & Warks website
Coventry
Did Shakespeare touch as many lives as Sir Frank Whittle, Brunel or even Bobby Moore?
I think not. I'm with Jeremy Clarkson - just think of all those boring lessons at school!
Frank M
Coventry
William Tyndale is the father of the English language. Had he not existed, William Shakespeare would never been heard of. It was Tyndale who truly put English on the world stage.
Before Tyndale the aristocracy and merchants of England wanted nothing to do with the English language, because it was going no-where. No man enriched the English Language more than Tyndale, he gave Shakespeare the
building bricks for his plays etc.
Unlike the unfortunate Turks, they had to wait until 1928. Their upper classes used a mixture of Persian (Farsi) and Arabic for administration, business and trading. Ataturk gave them back their own language when he created modern Turkey.
Len Smith
Nottingham
At the age of 60 years I really 'discovered' Shakespeare with 'Julius Ceaser'. You have to concentrate and these various educational aids which speak plain language are an initial help but once the plot/the villians/the heroes are identified an absolute treasure awaits.
I am looking forward to this evening's prog on 麻豆官网首页入口 Two but for his lifetime contribution I think I know where my vote is going.
John
Walsall
The photo of Shakespere on the TV looks like he has an earing in his left ear - does anyone know if he did?
Alan and Diane
Birmingham
It would be sad for Shakespeare to win the Great Britons because he was in Britain so long ago. I think it would be much more positive to celebrate someone who has contributed more recently.
Like Paul McCartney? Or Bob Geldoff?
Julie Sanderson
Rugby
Shakespeare definitely merits being nominated as a Great Briton.
Shakespeare stands universally recognised as the greatest playwright the world has ever known.
It is Shakespeare's very breadth and versatility that gives his plays their enduring dynamism and contemporary value.
Each generation interprets them and performs them differently from the last.
In doing so they celebrate Shakespeare's works and values, and reflect the ways in which his thinking is contemporary to their own times.
Dean Asker, Royal Shakespeare Company
Stratford
Re Alyson's comments
There are lots of tourists that would not come to warwickshire if it wasn't for Shakespeare. I would say he continues to create lots of jobs, money and events in the county. So he is great, even if you never read one of his plays.
Darren Gorban
Shipston
I think Shakespeare would be more popular if he was forced down people's throats less at school. Being made to study his plays puts too many people off.
Paul
Coventry
I agree Shakespeare's plays are good, but shouldn't the Great Briton accolade be given to people that have really made a difference to the country socially - like reformists or politicians?
Alyson Belt
Bedworth
Shakespeare is the Greatest Briton that ever lived. His plays are timeless and well worth reading is you never have done. My favourite is The Merchant of Venice. VOTE FOR SHAKESPEARE!!
Shakespeare fan
Stratford
Shakespeare's reputation as dramatist, poet and actor is unique. He is considered by many to be the greatest playwright ever, and his plays have merited translation and performances in cultures far removed from medieval England.
Fiona Shaw quoted from the Great Briton's website
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