I can think of no modern writer who has more talent for routing and destroying liars, cowards, hypocrites, and empty-headed braggarts than Shakespeare, who was also peerless at lifting up the discouraged, and persuading the broken, mad, and angry to “feel what wretches feel, that thou mayst shake the superflux to them, And show the heavens more just.” 

Shakespeare knew how fragile and terrible democracy could be. He also pushed back hard against all forms of tyranny.

As we write this next chapter of the American drama, we could sorely use more statesmen—and more citizens—who know and love him well. 

 From a review of James Shapiro's Shakespeare in America.