Older texts like Shakespeare have been growing less and less popular over the last few centuries, with more and more people starting to read more contemporary material. Many people view Shakespeare texts as boring and useless to modern students and society. His words and phrases are hard to grasp by many. Many English students argue why the have to learn Shakespeare or any other old texts. People believe that Shakespeare should only be viewed in a play and should not be read. Many people believe that Shakespeare is irrelevant in modern times and will soon be fazed out. But is old texts like Shakespeare really not relevant and does it really need to be taken out of schools? Shakespeare along with other old texts, were very important in the growth and development of the language we use today. Shakespeare was a brilliant writer and many consider him as the best. He has contributed so much towards the English language. Shakespeare uses timeless themes and emotions in his plays that …show more content…
Thus his works can help us improve our thinking abilities and our reading skills. Shakespeare’s works also improved the basic structure of English. He was the inventor of many words and phrases that we use today. He is credited with inventing around 2000 words. Many of the phrases we use today are from Shakespeare’s plays, and by him coining so many words and phrases he had also laid down the foundation for many other writers, so without him we would not have some of the contemporary texts that we have today. He has also written 154 sonnets that express themselves in an artistic way. Making people who read it want to express themselves in the same manner. It also challenges learners to deep thinking to use vocabulary to the fullest. His themes relate to current issues, which can help people deal with issues and
William Shakespeare, poet and playwright, utilized humor and irony as he developed specific language for his plays, thereby influencing literature forever. “Shakespeare became popular in the eighteenth century” (Epstein 8). He was the best all around. “Shakespeare was a classic” (8). William Shakespeare is a very known and popular man that has many works, techniques and ways. Shakespeare is the writer of many famous works of literature. His comedies include humor while his plays and poems include irony. Shakespeare sets himself apart by using his own language and word choice. Shakespeare uses certain types of allusions that people always remember, as in the phrase from Romeo and Juliet, “star-crossed lovers”.
Shakespeare was and is an extremely crucial figure in the English language. Period. Some may say that “Shakespeare’s use of the English language is irrelevant in today’s modern world”(Dusbiber 1), or simply “Shakespeare is useless”. Some may also refute that there are other great writers out there that are from all sorts of different cultures, that can teach students of different ethnicities the same ideas and same topics that Shakespeare teaches, which may be the case for some people. However, if you look at the
Without his language, writings would not be the same and would not have the same effects on the readers. Shakespeare is a master at using figures of speech. This makes his works as popular as they are today along with the help of his creativity. His inspirable use of metaphors are seen throughout his works, especially in A Mid Summer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night. Comparing love and the love potion in A Mid Summer Night’s Dream helps readers understand and relate to the play. Likewise, the metaphor between loss and shipwreck is comparable in our lives as well. Shakespeare uses these literary skills to his advantage. This is most definitely a reason why his work is still popular
Shakespeare wrote his plays to appeal to Elizabethan audiences. Much of the text is dated or archaic and is initially unknown to the typical student.
In the article ‘Why Shakespeare is Still Relevant’, Joseph Pearce demonstrates how even though he is over 400 years old, Shakespeare is still pertinent in today’s society and furthering of education. Students should continue to study Shakespeare in classrooms today; ultimately, creating an overall increase in their intelligence and success. An intelligence Shakespeare can expand through the use of the multitude of words he has invented and “since we think with words, we think more clearly if we have more words with which to think”. Through his use of new words, students can communicate and discuss more effectively, creating a higher possibility of learning. In addition to expanding students vocabulary, Shakespeare’s work also delves into the
One last reason why he shouldn’t be taught is because Shakespeare does not strike modern teenagers. As it says by Powell it states “Not strike modern teenagers with fear most of Shakespeare’s audiences were illiterate” (Powell). Shakespeare’s writings are hard to read and write and teenagers are confused. Another piece of evidence that shows he shouldn’t be taught is “Shakespeare is a lot to handle and manage. Student’s need to see themselves and be more engaged in the work” (Deblasis).
Shakespeare has perhaps contributed the most to the English language of any writer known to man – literally. Over 1000 words and phrases that he coined as part of his plays and prose are now in common use across the globe. He changed nouns into verbs, verbs into adjectives, added on previously unheard-of prefixes and suffixes and in some cases made words out of nothing. Even culturally sensitive words such as ‘ode’ (The ANZACS) and scientific jargon (‘epileptic’) are in fact products of Shakespeare. Bernard Levin probably summed this up best when he wrote: “If you cannot understand my argument, and declare "It's Greek to me", you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you recall your salad days, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you act more in sorrow than in anger, if your wish is father to the thought, if your lost property has vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle.
Even though that Shakespeare influenced the world over 400 years ago, his stories, sonnets and plays are all still relevant today. But why are William Shakespeare still so relevant today? It’s the idea and the issues that that Shakespeare addresses that constantly draw people towards him. Shakespeare had a very rare, but good, understanding of the daily situations and the many different emotions that human go through, which are portrayed in his characters.
Another prominent reason why students should be required to read and study Shakespeare is because of the old English language he uses and the diction he created. The unique and intricate choice of words allows for his audience to pull apart different meanings. Shakespeare’s style of writing has students diving into the story on another level. Furthermore, his language allows students to create their own opinions and translations of the text. “Studying Shakespeare doesn't have to be solely ‘exposure to great literature.’
Romeo and Juliet have the most well known love story of all time, even though some people have never even read it. This is the impact Shakespeare has had on literature. He wrote plays over a century ago, yet they are still known and popular, such as Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, Macbeth, and of course Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare’s work should be taught in school due to that fact that he made so many advancements in the English language, he is a popular reference, and his works explain how people used to live and speak.
To read or not to read-that is the question. Is it really necessary for students to read and learn about Shakespeare? As John Dewey, an American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, once said, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” Reading and comprehending Shakespeare is important for students and their learning process because it helps them obtain a deeper meaning of a text. It builds a student's language/dialect and introduces them to different perspectives.
Shakespeare is known all over the world as the greatest writer and pre-eminent dramatist in the English language. He defines what literature is today and has set the ultimate goal for any aspiring poet, playwright, or author. Some commenters believe his plays are timeless and will continue to be influential. However, as the decades go on, most believe that Shakespeare’s work must be disregarded because it is so outdated. Because of his use of language, his lack of connection, and his vigorous competition of notable poets and playwrights, Shakespeare must be deliberated as irrelevant in the 21st century.
Throughout the middle ages, Shakespeare’s works are subject to a large and wide range of needs and demands. His writing influenced and changed a lot of people, but mostly in the Renaissance period. William Shakespeare's work inspired and influenced many things such as literature, present-day movies, and the English language itself. He is regarded as the greatest writer and novelist in the history of the English language by many people, and the most famous dramatist in the world. Shakespeare is described as “The Man of Words” because he introduced nearly 3,000 words into the English language.
Shakespeare is still very relevant today because his plays and characters portray problems that affect all people in the world. “His ability to speak to audiences around the world is undimmed “ The great thing about Shakespeare is that he speaks to everyone”(Washington Post 378)”.
In his time, Shakespeare was the most popular playwright of London. As time passed, his smartness covers all others of his age; Jonson, Marlowe, Kyd, Greene, Dekker, Heywood—none had the craft or the kindness of character. He was the master of poetry writing and he did it well. He created the most vivid characters of the Elizabethan stage. His usage of language, both high and low, shows a remarkable fun and insight. His themes fit all generation even to this day.