The Importance Of Shakespeare In English Literature

Due to the pending release of Australian National Curricular for Senior English, many debates have surfaced regarding the texts studied in Australian schools. As a student, currently in Australian Senior English, Lynn Abraham has evaluated the relevance of studying Shakespeare in schools.

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he use of texts should help students gain pleasure and power from the exploration of real and imaginary worlds (well at least, that’s what Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) wants). If relevance is the cry, then who else does it better than Shakespeare? This privileged position Shakespeare has earned in the English literature, cannot be overlooked. And that’s

because even today, he is still able to speak and connect with audiences about issues in current societies.

Shakespeare was not only well accomplished in his writing skills that he has become an undeniably significant landmark in the history of English literature, but a majority of his works were written on such basic human themes that they will always endure at all times and this must not be allowed to slip into the tragic oblivion of old age.

Shakespeare’s study of the complexity of the human condition is explored through his main character, Hamlet’s struggle for power, and the perpetual calculations on eliminating corruption within the government established around him; all of which are notions present in the members of society today.

Shakespeare integrates the concept of the power in political and patriarchal aspects in society, and; elements which remain pertinent to society today.

The play, Hamlet serves as a key example of powerful interplay of human nature in the play; it is about the desire for power and the dangers that power can entail. It i...

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... with current society’s concerns, Shakespeare’s play has become a timeless text which remains pertinent to the contemporary world.

Baz Luhrmann, director of ‘Romeo +Juliet’ (1996) states, “A part of ourselves is engraved in his writing and his work is important not only in its content but its wider context as a body of work that influenced later writers, creating numerous well-known ‘classics’”.

Studies of Shakespearian plays greatly increases vocabulary bases, the ability to comprehend and is applicable to the current society, as student can use the outcomes of Shakespeare’s characters to make their own decisions and life choices. Not only does Shakespeare keep students thinking, it conditions students to the score of better at QCS exams and they are more prepared for the real world. Exactly why Shakespeare must be taught and studies in Senior English, for sure.