TY - BOOK AU - Ingersoll,Robert Green TI - The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 03 (of 12): Dresden Edition—Lectures AV - BL PY - 2012/// CY - Salt Lake City, UT PB - Project Gutenberg KW - Free thought N1 - Release date is 2012-02-09; Shakespeare -- Robert Burns -- Abraham Lincoln -- Voltaire -- Liberty in literature -- The great infidels -- Conclusion -- Which way? -- About the holy Bible; David Widger; Original publication data not identified N2 - "The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 03 (of 12)" by Robert Green Ingersoll is a collection of lectures authored in the late 19th century. This volume explores the lives and contributions of several prominent figures, including Shakespeare, Robert Burns, and Abraham Lincoln, through a lens that connects their works to broader themes of knowledge, art, and humanity. The text advocates for intellectual freedom and an appreciation of literary genius while critiquing the restrictions imposed by societal norms and religious dogma. The opening of the volume delves into Ingersoll's admiration for William Shakespeare, presenting the playwright as an unparalleled genius whose legacy shapes the cultural landscape. He reflects on Shakespeare’s humble origins, emphasizing his lack of formal education and the relatively obscure circumstances of his upbringing in Stratford. Ingersoll highlights Shakespeare's ability to capture the essence of humanity through his works, arguing that the playwright transcended the societal constraints of his time and produced a body of work that resonates with universal truths about love, ambition, and the human condition. (This is an automatically generated summary.) UR - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/38803 ER -