Last Updated on April 15, 2017 by Dave Farquhar
This oft-cited story about Shakespeare’s wealth and how he got it in the Telegraph led me–as the Internet often does–to something else: Shakespeare as therapy.
Brain scans indicate that reading the unfamiliar language and complex syntax in classical writing such as Shakespeare and Wordsworth spurs a great deal of brain stimulus and introspection. Reading both plays and poetry proved beneficial, but especially poetry. The studies found that reading classical poetry proved more beneficial than reading self-help books.
Reading modern renderings of classical writing in contemporary language proved less beneficial, suggesting that the unfamiliarity provides some of the benefit.
David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He started his career as a part-time computer technician in 1994, worked his way up to system administrator by 1997, and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He invests in real estate on the side and his hobbies include O gauge trains, baseball cards, and retro computers and video games. A University of Missouri graduate, he holds CISSP and Security+ certifications. He lives in St. Louis with his family.