Shakespeare: A Common Knowledge in Society Almost anywhere that you go in America or even the world, the people have heard of William Shakespeare. His name is probably one of the most common ones in our society today, and has been since his time. But has anyone ever raised the question why? Why do we, as a society, read William Shakespeare’s plays? The answer is a simple one and that is to have a common knowledge in our societies. So many diverse groups of people can be brought together with Shakespeare’s plays, for discussions, ar ....