The bard

compiled

He freelanced much of his poetry, but also compiled a collection of 154 sonnets that have been published.

any sort of sense

To talk of literature written in English language, in any sort of sense, means to mention William Shakespeare.

predominant

As a predominant writer in English not only of the time but in any era, nearly all of his works have been published in nearly all of the major world languages.

playwright

His plays have been performed more than any other playwright.

small sample size

prolific

Despite his prolific portfolio, much of the Bard's private life from the identities of his children and wife remains shrouded in mystery even to this day.

shroud

Despite his prolific portfolio, much of the Bard's private life from the identities of his children and wife remains shrouded in mystery even to this day.lepepl

assertion

However, the greatest assertion against Shakespeare's character posits that he didn't actually write any of his material; that he was a figurehead for a ghost writer.

posit

However, the greatest assertion against Shakespeare's character posits that he didn't actually write any of his material; that he was a figurehead for a ghost writer.

figurehead

However, the greatest assertion against Shakespeare's character posits that he didn't actually write any of his material; that he was a figurehead for a ghost writer.

teeter

The voters began to teeter on which candidate they would support.

sway

To sway back and forth

namesake

Shakespeare's family included the namesake of a modern actress.

scrutiny

Shakespeare's private life comes under scrutiny most in line with claims that his public persona as a writer was just a facade and a name.

facade 

Shakespeare's private life comes under scrutiny most in line with claims that his public persona as a writer was just a facade and a name.

back and forth

To sway back and forth.

lighthearted

Although this tragicomedy has lighthearted moments, it ends with blood much like many others.

ad naseum

She was going on ad naseum about this book she was reading to the point where I thought I didn't even need to read it ti get the whole story.

carte blanche

Giving anyone a carte blanche in politics could eventually lead to a dictatorship.

créme de la créme

Ernest Hemingway is among the créme de la créme concerning wartime narratives.

assigned

Last semester we were assigned to read The Sun Also Rises.

ex-pat

It tells the story of a wounded war veteran who now works as a writer in Paris among other ex-pats.

well-paced

The main character, Jake Barnes, who fought in the First World War, and friends, travel along southern France and northern Spain in a well paced timeline, giving way to brutal, yet captivating descriptions of the bullfighting.

toil away

It tells the story of a young suitor who loses the battle of a young girl's heart in his youth, and then as a man toils away until her husband dies and he re-affirms his love.

major plot point

It is an interesting narrative, because we basically know the major plot points simply through the summary.

immersed

It's where timelines flow naturally seemingly without breaks, which become unnecessary as the reader remains immersed in Florentino and Fermina's ultimate destiny.

savagery

With respect accompanied by admissions of savagery.

admission

With respect accompanied by admissions of savagery.

loathing

With complete loathing

supplement

They both plan to supplement their reading.

re-affirms

It tells the story of a young suitor who loses the battle of a young girl's heart in his youth, and then as a man toils away until her husband dies and he re-affirms his love.

smite smote smitten

He was able to smite the target with his bare hand.