Shakespeare's literary genius inspired musicians, too

Iron Maiden’s vocalist Bruce Dickinson performing during The Book of Souls World Tour in Buenos Aires in March. Long renowned as literature and history buffs, the legendary British rock band seeking inspiration from the Bard comes as no surprise. Photo: AFP

Is Shakespeare's influence all-encompassing in the world of literature? With the number of column inches dedicated to his works, it’s hard not to think so.

And given how his prose have seeped into the vernacular of popular culture, it’s unsurprising to see the poet appearing in the pop music sphere, as well. From The Beatles to Bob Dylan, a clutch of artistes owes a great deal to his literary genius.