"Shakespeare is one of the last books one should like to give up, perhaps the one just before the Dying Service in a large Prayer book"

In this quote by Charles Lamb, the extensive reverence and sustaining love for William Shakespeare's works are deftly recorded through a contrast to a substantial religious text. Lamb suggests that Shakespeare's oeuvre holds an exceptional position in literature, to the level that one would relinquish all other books before parting with Shakespeare's plays and sonnets. The quote essentially juxtaposes Shakespeare with a prayerbook, portraying the playwright's works as having a near-sacred quality.

Lamb's option of words like "last books" and "Dying Service" indicates that Shakespeare's writings are not simple home entertainment or educational products however basic parts of the human intelligence and spirit. This conveys a concept that in moments of deep reflection or at life's end-- times typically scheduled for spiritual or spiritual rites-- Shakespeare still holds an indispensable function. The connection to a "large Prayer book" also signifies a sense of depth and volume, hinting at the large breadth and richness of Shakespeare's works, much like the spiritual and ethical lessons discovered within prayer books that direct and comfort readers.

The statement also shows Lamb's individual worths and his understanding of literature's role in life. By putting Shakespeare right before a "Dying Service", Lamb suggests that comprehending humanity and feelings through Shakespeare might be as important as understanding one's spiritual or religions at life's crucial junctures. This highlights the timelessness and universality of Shakespeare's insights into the human condition, efficient in directing and informing individuals throughout their lives.

Additionally, Lamb's comparison discreetly elevates Shakespeare's work to a near-divine status, suggesting that his words provide knowledge and solace equivalent to that found in spiritual texts. The quote encapsulates the long lasting influence of Shakespeare and suggests that simply as people turn to religious texts for convenience and clarity, they may also turn to Shakespeare for those same factors, verifying his unrivaled contribution to literature and human understanding.