The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 03 (of 12) Dresden Edition—Lectures

"The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 03 (of 12)" by Robert Green Ingersoll is a compilation of speeches from the late 1800s that examines the impact of influential people like Shakespeare, Robert Burns, and Abraham Lincoln, linking their achievements to broader themes of understanding, creativity, and human nature. It champions the cause of free thinking and a love for great writing while questioning the limits set by social expectations and religious beliefs. At the beginning of the book, Ingersoll shares his deep respect for William Shakespeare, portraying him as a unique talent whose impact still shapes culture today, as he thinks about Shakespeare's modest start, highlighting that he didn’t have much schooling and came from simple beginnings in Stratford, emphasizing his extraordinary skill in capturing what it means to be human through his various works. Ingersoll underlines how Shakespeare rose above the social limits of his era and created pieces that speak to basic truths about love, goals, and what makes us human.