Shakespeare, in a way, is a brand. ... So, there's "monumentally brilliant" Shakespeare whose name is embedded in the realm of "historical genius"- and then there's Kyd. ... Shakespearean characters such as Iago and Richard III are the ones who are primarily envisioned when pondering the essence and embodiment of a true Machiavellian villain--as opposed to Lorenzo of The Spanish Tragedy, who, quite frankly, many probably haven't even the slightest idea as to who he is, despite the fact that he was essentially the original Machiavellian of the early modern era...

• Word Count: 1285
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Graduate