Analysis Of Why Read Shakespeare By Micheal Mack

Why read shakespeare

Micheal Mack gave a speech to a freshmen class at CUA on september 2008. His speech was constructed of an effective argument that reading shakespeare is hard work but worth the effort through his use of rhetorical devices and how he appeals to his audience.

First of all, the device that Mack uses to advance his use of rhetorical devices. He says “We think of Biology and Chemistry, History and Politics, Psychology and Sociology as subjects that are focused on the real world’ on lines 63-66. Mack is using parallel structure to compare everyday important Shakespeare’s writings are as any other. Also in line 94, again through parallel structure, Mack says “...the better you understand literature, the better you understand life.” Meaning

that understanding Shakespeare’s writings and text, will help you understand things in life better and that reading his works will help you become more able to find happiness in life.
Furthermore the technique that Mack uses to advance his argument is his use of appealing to his audience.

He states an analogy on lines 67-74, “.. great books are thought of as mirrors, when you read a great book the idea is you are looking into a mirror-a pretty special mirror, one that reflects the world in a way that allows us to see its true nature… we see that it reflects not only the world around us but also ourselves.” The significance of Mack using this analogy is that Shakespeare has such a deep meaning that we see ourselves in his works. He reminds us through lines 112-113, that college isn’t just about your head, it’s also about your heart. He then relates that back to Shakespeare’s writings in lines 114-115, stating that shakespeare can be particularly helpful in understanding the heart. Continued into lines 115-116, Mack says “Read shakespeare and spare yourself a world of bad dates.” Significance of this relating to the audience, is that college students are worried about bad dates hence the situation reference and Mack says that reading shakespeare will help them understand their hearts to create better preparation of knowledge of life, their heads and their

hearts.
However to strengthen his argument, Mack could have used evidence with a better understanding. Lines 77-84, is an analogy used by Mack of the parable of the prodigal son, in which is a biblical reference in Luke 15:11-32. This biblical story is not known by everyone, which can cause someone to not understand his reasoning.
Reading shakespeare is hard work but worth the effort. His works will help you understand life, your head and heart with great knowledge. Being able to understand his stories will be a part of finding happiness in life.