Will there ever be a writer that surpasses Shakespeare?

Yes, of course. Despite all the difficulties I have with the word 'surpasses' in your question, statistically it has to happen .... provided the race survives long enough. read more

Any writer that works today would have to produce works that influence so much of what comes later that they have a wider spread than Shakespeare, who is considered the model for influential writing. Whether they know it or not, like it or not, every writer takes from Shakespeare, because if they don't take from him directly, they take from someone who takes from him directly. read more

Most of his plays are very formulaic but I must admit there is usually comedy to be found. That being said the funniest play I know has to be "the Importance of Being Ernest". Arguably Homer is an even more legendary and better writer than Shakespeare. It is possible Shakespeare was the greatest writer of his day but even that is debatable. read more