Shakespeare’s work in the today's classroom; a probable outcome for student achievement or too outdated for our modern society? Context in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, including parental pressures, may consociate feelings much like what students today have to deal with. On the other hand, they may not relate to the fact of committing suicide over a loved one. His worked portrays unrealistic aspects to life and predictable plot lines that can be difficult for the modern student to analyze.Challenging students to think differently, creating meaning out of complex texts, and experiencing lives different than their own are vital aspects of learning; therefore, Shakespeare belongs in the classroom. Shakespeare's complex text implemented throughout …show more content…
his storylines allows students to think differently about what they are reading. The modern, simplified English taught in today’s schools and used in modern interactions such as texting prohibits students from thinking deeply about what they are reading; In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Romeo’s eminent soliloquy states, “But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun” (Romeo and Juliet page 845).
Students reading this soliloquy may portray the real meaning of the text differently than what Shakespeare conveys in his storyline. Scrutinizing this quote reveals that Juliet is the warm “sun” in Romeo’s heart and the imaginary bright light in his window showcases his love for Juliet throughout the play. Shakespeare's use of figurative language conveys the feelings of both Romeo and Juliet to the reader. Being able to figure out what the figurative language means in comparison to the text will more likely allow students to comprehend complex text easier in the future. With the ability to comprehend baffling words allow students to be entertained throughout Shakespeare's plot lines. Romeo and Juliet share the emotions of love and stress that so many students relate to, yet they do not realize it when reading the content of the story; similar feelings are portrayed by students in this quote, “As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright” (Romeo and Juliet page 845). Romeo, so lovestruck by Juliet’s beauty, seems no other woman in the world could be as beautiful as her. Students in relationships can relate to these words spoken by …show more content…
Romeo. These shared emotions engage students to become more entertained while reading Shakespeare's work. Students relate to the captivating individuals in his work as they read his storylines. Though Shakespeare is inversely relatable to today's standards, his work enables students to have the experience of reading challenging text which is especially different than what they’re used to now.
Students reading material in the modern education society lacks the experience to prepare them for the rigorous storyline and monologue of Romeo and Juliet; Matthew Truesdale, a teacher supporting Shakespeare’s work in the classroom, states, “I do it because I want my students to have the experience of reading it” (Truesdale 1). Allowing students the ability to read text that is unlike contemporary storylines gives credibility to the individual for analyzing Shakespeare’s work. If questioned about his stories, students will have prior knowledge about the text and can successfully respond to any inquiry on the matter of Shakespeare. Reading storylines other than modern English monologues prepare students to read rigorous text throughout their lives. Shakespeare’s involvement in the classroom entitles students minds to adapt to different context, share the same emotions as his characters in the storylines, and having credibility of reading a world-renowned authors
books. Carrying on a conversation with someone about one of Shakespeare's stories, or being able to relate to the characters in the plot strengthens the connection between the student and Shakespeare’s work eminently belonging in the classroom. His stories belong in the common core for not only to get students out of their confort zone but to educate them on the different aspects of early English; which is inevitably different than contempary works.Reading Shakespeare guarantees student achievement for whatever life challenges them to do in the future.
William Shakespeare’s diverse use of rhetorical and figurative language enhances and develops the moods he conveys, thus creating vast and various atmospheres throughout his works. An example of one his works that uses many of these devices is Shakespeare’s renowned Romeo and Juliet. In the famous play, the two lovebirds (Romeo and Juliet), fall in a forbidden love as the long-lasting rivalry between their two families continues its onslaught. The couple later on tragically commit suicide, which ultimately ends the feud. During the journey of the two lovers, Shakespeare expresses clearly the mood of each scene using figurative language.
In Romeo and Juliet, it is clear that Shakespeare commonly embodies metaphors in his play to elaborate on Romeo’s love for Juliet. The use of metaphors invites the audience to develop a further understanding of the object comparing values of love. An example of a metaphor can be noticed in the balcony scene when Romeo claims that “Juliet is the sun”. When we analyse this quote we notice that Shakespeare is displaying the respect that Romeo offers to Juliet. The purpose of using this particular metaphor is to show that Juliet’s appearance will always be accepted in Romeo’s heart. When the sun is mentioned it is referred as Juliet being high in the sky; overlooking and invalidating all those beneath her control. This metaphor is referring to Juliet as being truly out of this world, Romeo’s world; conveying ideas of excitement and affection. When Juliet is compared to the sun, powerful messages are given off such as Juliet being forever existent, and forever the love of Romeo’s life; as the sun will never die out, meaning that Romeo will always have a desire towards the angelic figure in his life. To conclude, metaphors are one of the most common language techniques that Shakespeare incorporates into his highly successful play, Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare models metaphors to analyse the affection so we can determine how much love is present in Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. As a result, the messages founded by metaphors helps us connect to the jubilant, however, catastrophic
“Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex...People are irrational” said physiologist, Hugh Mackay. As a matter of fact nothing was perfect for Romeo and Juliet. Their lives were messy. Their relationship was complex. And they certainly did act irrationally. Romeo and Juliet quickly fell in love at the beginning of the plot in the play, named after them, created by Shakespeare. To be able to escape from her home and be with her love, Juliet drank a potion that made her seem dead. Romeo, not knowing about the plan, took his life at the sight of her “dead” body. When Juliet woke up and saw Romeo dead, she ended up killing herself as well due to his death. Shakespeare portrays the message that being in love can cloud people’s
Baz Luhman and a More Accessible Romeo and Juliet to a Modern Teenage Audience Romeo and Juliet was written during the fifteenth century and the language and style is Elizabethan. Today the language is seen as incomprehensible to a young audience. This can cause many problems. because Shakespearean texts are compulsory for students to study during their education period. Usual responses to Romeo and Juliet are very negative as teenagers find the story inaccessible.
Who would be willing to die for their loved ones? Romeo and Juliet would and did. Romeo and Juliet’s love and death brought two families together who could not even remember the origin of their hate. When the parents saw what their children's love for each other, they realized that their fighting had only led to suffering and insoluble conflict. Romeo and Juliet loved each other to an extent that they killed themselves rather than live apart. They did it with no hiatus. Juliet says before she kills herself, “O happy dagger, This is thy sheath. There rust and let me die.”( 5, 3, 182-183) demonstrating how she would rather die than not be with him.
Language and Dramatic Devices in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Introduction Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is known as a love tragedy. features many rhymed verses, especially when Romeo and Juliet first. speak.
Dominic, C. Catherine. Shakespeare's Characters for Students. Detroit - New York -Toronto - London: Gale Research, 1997.
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Language of Literature. Ed. Arthur N. Applebee. Evanston: McDougal Littell, 2002. Print.
William Shakespeare’s plays are being made into box office film hits at an incredible rate. Films such as Much Ado About Nothing with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson, Hamlet with Mel Gibson and Glenn Close, Othello with Laurence Fishbourne and Henry V with Kenneth Branagh have been seen by a surprising number of teenagers. Often they have not understood it all, or even half of it, but they have been affected by the powerful characters and by the Shakespearean magic which has affected audiences around the world for centuries. They want to know more, they want to understand, and what better motvation can any teacher ask for than that students WANT ? That alone is sufficient reason for any English teacher to start a course in Shakespeare.
Socratic Seminars are a great way to build critical thinking and communication skills by making students think differently about a subject. I will discuss my experience during our Socratic Seminar about the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. The main topics addressed in this essay are the foremost vital ideas, discussing what students said, how I think I did, my likes and dislikes, how it influenced my thinking, and my goal for the next seminar. During our Socratic Seminar, I started by spectating the first group's thoughts about drawings related to Romeo and Juliet, where they discussed their answers from three different slides. During slide one, the students conversed about a drawing portraying a skeleton with an arrow through its chest, sitting in a nest surrounded by a plant and a large arrow with wings outside it.
< http://callisto.gsu.edu:4000/CGI:html> (5 May 1997). Rozen, Leah. "William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet."
Countless people all around the world are familiar with the idea of the famously tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers in William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet. Their heart wrenching love story has been an inspiration for many literature pieces throughout various genres and later cinematic works of art. The young couple was not only memorable for their passionate, devoted love, but also the tragic events that ultimately lead to their death. One aspect of the play that has a strong impact on the audience is Shakespeare’s use of charismatic and compelling language seen throughout the play. The unique personality traits used to describe Romeo and Juliet allows many to relate to the young lovers. Shakespeare’s use of descriptive language, allows the audience to understand the societal expectations, beliefs, and values set out for the men and women of Verona, Italy. Romeo’s character, however, can be been seen defying these expectations and also
Aubrey, Bryan. “Critical Essay on ‘Romeo and Juliet’.” Drama for Students. Ed. Anne Marie Hacht. Vol. 21. Detriot: Gale, 2005. Literature Resource Center. Web. 4 Dec. 2013.
In today’s world the quality of the art form called writing is said to be somewhat diminishing, it is important for English literature to keep some studies of classic literature, such as Shakespeare. I think well rounded education must have a strong foundation in both modern and classical literature, for the foundation in classical literature, an in-depth study of Shakespeare’s works would be more than sufficient. Not only was Shakespeare so skilled in his writing that he has become a significant point in the history of literature, but a majority of his works were written on such basic human themes that they will last for all time and must not be forgotten.
One of the greatest controversies in today’s schools is deciding whether or not to integrate Shakespeare into the classroom setting. It should be taught because it is productive, as well as having very beneficial outcomes which are excellent for students. Ms. Busbiber believes “that our students should be excited about what they read — and that may often mean that we need to find the time to let them choose their own literature,” (“The Washington Post”). Reasons to view Shakespearean works in a positive light are that they not only require students to “be knowledgeable about the London theatre in Shakespeare’s time: the plays, actors, and wider culture,” (“Irish Times”), but also expand a person’s way to problem-solve. Shakespeare is notorious