What Can We Learn About Public Speaking from the Works of William Shakespeare?
Can Shakespeare teach us about Public Speaking?
Introduction: The Bard and the Boardroom
When we think of William Shakespeare, we picture stages lit by candlelight, soliloquies spoken to the stars, and the poetry of Elizabethan drama echoing through centuries. But what if I told you that Shakespeare wasn’t just a master of storytelling — he was also one of history’s most insightful public speaking coaches?
Whether you're delivering a keynote, a team update, or a wedding speech, Shakespeare’s works offer a treasure trove of lessons that can elevate your delivery, sharpen your message, and transform your confidence.
Let’s step into the wings of the Globe Theatre and uncover what the Bard can teach modern speakers about captivating an audience.
1. The Power of Presence: Owning the Stage
Shakespearean actors didn’t have microphones. They had to command the attention of a rowdy audience with only their voice, presence, and gestures. This is why Shakespeare wrote with the body in mind — each line was crafted to be spoken, felt, and performed.
Lesson: Command the space before you say a word.
Think of Mark Antony’s funeral speech in Julius Caesar. He begins not with grandeur, but with connection:
“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.”
It’s personal. It’s rhythmic. It’s controlled.
Try this: The “Stage Claim” Exercise
Before you begin speaking, walk to the centre of the space (or even your Zoom frame), pause, plant your feet shoulder-width apart, and take a breath. Let your audience settle. This moment is yours.
2. Vocal Variety: Rhythm, Cadence, and Emotional Colour
Shakespeare’s characters aren’t monotone. They rage, plead, joke, mourn — often within a single monologue. This emotional range is key to holding attention and building persuasion.
Lesson: Change how you sound to match what you mean.
Listen to how Macbeth shifts tone:
“Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.”
It’s questioning, doubtful, then determined. Each line moves in tone and tension. Monotony, on the other hand, lulls an audience into passive listening — or worse, boredom.
Try this: The Shakespeare Echo Drill
Pick a short quote from Shakespeare — or your own speech — and read it aloud three times:
First, whisper it with urgency.
Second, declare it with authority.
Third, say it as if you’re comforting a friend.
Notice how tone shifts meaning. This is vocal variety in action.
3. Storytelling: Structure, Suspense, and the Personal Touch
Every Shakespearean play is a masterclass in storytelling. He uses structure to build tension, character to create connection, and repetition to hammer home key themes.
Lesson: Don’t just inform — tell a story.
In Henry V, the King delivers a rousing speech before battle. He doesn’t say, “Let’s try our best.” He paints a vivid picture of unity, honour, and future legacy:
“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.”
A story gives shape to emotion and frames your message in memory.
Try this: The “Mini Monologue” Technique
Before your next presentation, craft a 90-second anecdote that illustrates your point. Begin with the challenge, build to a turning point, end with a takeaway. Personal stories — especially when told with vulnerability — are magnetic.
4. Audience Engagement: Breaking the Fourth Wall
Shakespeare often used asides and soliloquies — moments when characters speak directly to the audience, sharing their innermost thoughts. It created intimacy, even in large theatres.
Lesson: Talk to your audience, not at them.
Too many speeches suffer from “broadcast mode” — information delivered without connection. But when you pause, make eye contact, and ask a rhetorical question, you’re breaking the fourth wall.
“To be or not to be — that is the question.”
Even Hamlet, deep in despair, invites the audience into his dilemma.
Try this: The “Checkpoint Pause”
Write one rhetorical question or personal address into each section of your speech. Pause after asking it. Let the silence pull the audience into your thought process.
5. Confidence and Stage Fright: Performing Through the Nerves
Shakespearean actors performed through political upheaval, plague closures, and raucous crowds. Their survival depended on composure under pressure.
Even Shakespeare himself is thought to have performed in some of his own plays, despite being primarily a writer. Courage on stage wasn’t optional — it was part of the craft.
Lesson: Confidence is a performance too — and it gets easier with practice.
Many people believe they need to feel confident to speak well. But it often works the other way: speaking well creates confidence.
Psychological Insight: The “Proteus Effect”
Research suggests that when people act confidently — stand tall, gesture boldly, project their voice — they start to feelmore confident. Shakespeare knew this intuitively: his characters grow into their roles as they speak.
Try this: The “Power Rehearsal”
Before your next speech, rehearse in front of a mirror or record yourself. Stand tall, use expressive gestures, and speak clearly. Play it back — you’ll start to see and believe your own growth.
6. Speech Organisation: Structure Like a Scene
Every Shakespeare scene has a clear beginning, middle, and end — often with a conflict, turning point, and resolution.
Lesson: Organise your speech like a play.
A good speech should:
Set the scene (introduce your theme)
Build conflict or curiosity (pose a problem or question)
Deliver a resolution (offer insight, solution, or call to action)
Think of it as three acts — just like in Shakespeare.
Try this: The “Three-Act Map”
Before you write your speech:
What’s the world like before your message?
What tension or question needs to be resolved?
What new insight or action should the audience take away?
This turns even a short talk into a memorable narrative journey.
Final Thoughts: Why the Bard Still Speaks to Us
Shakespeare understood that public speaking was never just about words. It’s about presence, persuasion, rhythm, emotion, and connection. These are the same elements that underpin every great speech today.
Whether you’re new to speaking or seasoned on the stage, the Bard’s wisdom can help you:
Speak with greater authenticity
Connect emotionally with any audience
Deliver your message with power and grace
Take the Stage: Your Next Step
If you’ve ever felt like you have more to say than you can comfortably express — or if you know your message deserves a bigger impact — personalised coaching is your next step.
Why Coaching Works:
Accelerated growth: Get tailored feedback that shortens the learning curve.
Real-world practice: Roleplay, rehearse, and refine with professional guidance.
Lasting confidence: Build a toolkit you can rely on in any setting — from boardrooms to weddings.
I've worked with beginners and senior professionals alike. Whether you’re terrified of public speaking or looking to go from good to unforgettable, coaching helps you move faster and further than going it alone.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch to arrange a free 20-minute discovery call. We’ll talk through your goals, your speaking history, and map out a path to transformation.
Let Shakespeare’s legacy be your launchpad. You’ve got something to say — let’s make sure the world hears it.
