Is Bob Dylan a modern Shakespeare? A film focusing on the musician’s early life has introduced his songs to a new, younger audience.
Rave reviews for portrait of a genius
Is Bob Dylan a modern Shakespeare? A film focusing on the musician's early life has introduced his songs to a new, younger audience.
What does a genius look like? You probably do not picture an old man wearing a leather jacket and skinny jeans, with a guitar in his arms. But, according to many, Bob Dylan is the great songwriter of all time.
Last week, a new film about Dylan's life was released in Britain. It has already received lots of award nominations. Fans hope the film will introduce his songs to younger people.
Fans say Dylan's lyrics are like poetry. Some even say he is a modern William ShakespeareAn English playwright and poet who is often called the greatest writer in the English language. , a nod to the famous English poet and playwrightA person who writes plays. , who was born in 1564. The former US presidentIn some countries, the leader is called the president. Barack ObamaThe Democrat US president between 2008 and 2016. once said: "There is not a bigger giant in the history of American music."
But life was not always easy for Dylan. In the first years of his career, critics said his musical skills were averageTypical or usual. . One record labelA company that produces and markets music. They have been criticised for exploiting musicians, especially young ones who are less able to negotiate contracts that benefit them. boss even said his early albumA collection of songs by an artist, released together at a particular time. was "the most horrible thing he'd ever heard".
Meanwhile, others accuse him of taking on the musical traditions of Black communities and turning them into something loved by culture snobsPeople who looks down on other people or things they perceive as belonging to a lower social class. .
Some say he should not have won the Nobel PrizeOne of a set of prizes, laid out in the will of Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, given each year to people who "have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind". for Literature. They say it is unfair to compare him to a poet, because his songs are performed with musical instruments.
Yet writer Rob Doyle argues: "Is it poetry? Is it literature? Who cares? It's great art."
Is Bob Dylan a modern Shakespeare?
Yes! Musicians, fans and critics all know that Dylan is a unique and talented writer. He will be remembered in hundreds of years' time, just as Shakespeare is today.
No! Dylan may be a brilliant songwriter, but that does not mean he is as good as Shakespeare. Anyone who says so is kidding themselves.
William Shakespeare - An English playwright and poet who is often called the greatest writer in the English language.
Playwright - A person who writes plays.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Barack Obama - The Democrat US president between 2008 and 2016.
Average - Typical or usual.
Record label - A company that produces and markets music. They have been criticised for exploiting musicians, especially young ones who are less able to negotiate contracts that benefit them.
Album - A collection of songs by an artist, released together at a particular time.
Snobs - People who looks down on other people or things they perceive as belonging to a lower social class.
Nobel prize - One of a set of prizes, laid out in the will of Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, given each year to people who "have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
Rave reviews for portrait of a genius

Glossary
William Shakespeare - An English playwright and poet who is often called the greatest writer in the English language.
Playwright - A person who writes plays.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Barack Obama - The Democrat US president between 2008 and 2016.
Average - Typical or usual.
Record label - A company that produces and markets music. They have been criticised for exploiting musicians, especially young ones who are less able to negotiate contracts that benefit them.
Album - A collection of songs by an artist, released together at a particular time.
Snobs - People who looks down on other people or things they perceive as belonging to a lower social class.
Nobel prize - One of a set of prizes, laid out in the will of Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, given each year to people who "have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".