Simply stated, Shakespeare’s works should continue to be studied in school because of the multitude of lessons and benefits that they offer to students. In addition to exposing students to a multitude of literary techniques and vocabulary, challenging them with difficult language and style, Shakespeare’s works also express a profound knowledge of human behavior and offer insight into the world around us. William Shakespeare is recognized by much of the world as the greatest of all dramatists. The intricate meanings, extensive vocabulary, and the powerful imagery contained within his works demonstrate the phenomenal storytelling ability of the English playwright. Works such as Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet are riddled with ambiguities …show more content…
While referring to the dead Julius Caesar, working to rally his followers, Cassius exclaims “[w]hy, man, he doth bestride the narrow world/ Like a Colossus, and we petty men/Walk under his huge legs and peep about/To find ourselves dishonourable graves./Men at some time are masters of their fates:/The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,/But in ourselves, that we are underlings”(143-149). Hidden under all the similes, hyperboles, and metaphors, Shakespeare was simply trying to convey that Cassius (and several others in Rome) were tired of being “underlings” to the all too powerful Julius Caesar. Through these devices, he establishes atmosphere and character, and intrigue. Exposure to these devices provides students with a broad knowledge of literary style and technique, while serving to develop and improve writing …show more content…
His ability to summarize the range of human emotions in simple yet profoundly eloquent terms is perhaps the greatest reason for his enduring popularity. These insightful ideas were applicable in the 16th century, and they are just as applicable now. For example, in Julius Caesar, themes such as personal vs. public responsibility, pragmatism vs. idealism, honor vs. power, and fatal flaw are very insightful to issues today, and are evident in scenes from the play such as when Marc Antony delivers his speech to the citizens of Rome, saying “[t]he evil that men do lives after them;/The good is oft interred with their bones”(1619-1620). Shakespeare’s works can often serve as a bridge between literature and current events. From personal experience, Shakespeare’s ideas and plots often appear in popular culture today, including books, TV shows, etc. We still read and study Shakespeare because he manages to eloquently unite centuries of human existence in a form that has its own unique flair for the slightly archaic yet still resonant and because, as a figurehead for his time period, Shakespeare provides insight into the past and a starting-point for inquiry into that
In countries all over the globe the name William Shakespeare brings to mind literary genius, a character so famed in eloquence and creativity that none other comes close to him in prestige. Yet for centuries scholars, students and readers have argued a very fundamental question: whether or not the plays and poems attribute to William...
To conclude, reading the plays of Shakespeare is not only about an entertainment, there is more about learning manhood and the importance of the role that morality plays in everyday life. That is the reason of Shakespeare’s plays are so popular because through his work, he illustrates that: life is a play, which is performed on the earth stage, and his world stage will continue influences the past, modern and further.
Born April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom, William Shakespeare is still amongst one of the greatest writers that ever lived. Through the many years of his non existence, Shakespeare’s is known all around the world as an icon of knowledge and impressive ability of being a writer. However, some ask the question is it important to know about Shakespeare? What will I learn from it? In many cases people will debate, but in my opinion I believe that Shakespeare is such an important icon to the world that high school students should know and learn from him because of how he connects with people and his communication to the world.
Shakespeare is Important 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 motivation can any teacher ask for than that students WANT? That alone is sufficient reason for any English teacher to start a course in Shakespeare.
Exposure to these devices provides students with a broad knowledge of literary style and technique, while serving to develop and improve writing skills. Also, because much of the modern literary ideas and writings allude to and can be traced...
He speaks to justify his actions for killing Caesar and uses his “honor and nobility” as a shield against the crowd. Brutus makes his first mistake by dispersing half of the audience by saying, “Those that will hear me speak, let em’ stay here; those that will follow Cassius, go with him.”(3.2.5-6) Here, Brutus is making Cassius seem equal in power, and he is not emphasizing how he needs the attention of the whole audience. Additionally, throughout the speech Brutus is not specific enough when explaining his reasons for Caesar’s death. He continuously refers to himself as an honorable man, and said Caesar was too much of a threat to Rome. On (3.2.31-33) “Who is here so rude that he would not be a Roman?” Shakespeare is illustrating the powerful use of pathos during this moment. He pauses for effect, knowing that no one would publicly admit to being unpatriotic. Brutus is using a more intimidating and cold form of persuasion here, and we later come to discover that his lack of insight and human nature aided in the hopelessness of his
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
Across the Universe of Time: Shakespeare’s influence on 21st century society. It is harder to imagine a more universal writer than William Shakespeare. Rarely, if ever, is one of his many plays not being performed anywhere in the world and similarly rare is the tertiary English student who has not examined his work at length. His plays, sonnets and poems are common fodder for high school English departments across the globe.
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.
William Shakespeare has become landmark in English literature. One must be familiar with the early days of English literature in order to comprehend the foundation of much of more modern literature’s basis. Shakespeare’s modern influence is still seen clearly in many ways. The success of Shakespeare’s works helped to set the example for the development of modern dramas and plays. He is also acknowledged for being one of the first writers to use any modern prose in his writings.
The impeccable style and craft of Shakespeare’s writing has always been looked upon with great respect, and it continues to serve as an inspiration to writers and thinkers today even as it did when it was being first performed in London. Shakespeare’s modern audience, however, is far less diverse than the one for which he originally wrote. Due to the antiquity of his language, Shakespeare’s modern readership consists mostly of students and intellectuals, whereas in Shakespeare’s own time, his plays were performed in playhouses packed with everyone from royalty to peasants. Because of this, Shakespeare was forced to write on many different levels, the most sophisticated of which appealed to his more elite audience members, while the more straightforward and often more crude of which appealed to his less educated viewers, and the most universal of which still appeals to us.
Literature is an art form, it is entertainment, history, and a medium of self-expression. There is something magical about the creative power that is within literature. With words alone, literature illustrates the rise of nations, the fall of tyranny, the power of true love, and the tragedy of unescapable fate. When discussing timeless literature, it is almost impossible to not bring up the works of William Shakespeare. However, while some are enthusiastic about discussing Shakespeare, many can’t help but sigh. Some find his work outdated, his language cumbersome, and question: for what purpose is society so fixated on his work? Despite complaints from a few contemporary readers, Shakespeare’s work exhibits quality and thoughtfulness that is
Shakespeare’s plays were written in the 14th and 15th century in England, yet until this day it still has a huge influence on American English class. Why? Well because Shakespeare has a universal appeal with a rich language, complex characters with a theme that is timeless. Shakespeare should be taught more, one play per semester because it is part of American literature culture, it challenges students reading levels and as it expands students vocabulary and enriches their speaking. Shakespeare plays are relevant today as the themes of the plays involved what teenagers like and experience such as love, betrayal, courage,politics and corruption.The themes can be set in such basic forms that the plays are universal and timeless, it can set in
William Shakespeare's Relevance Today For as long as formal education has existed in Britain it has been a largely standard assumption that teaching the works of William Shakespeare is relevant and necessary. Perhaps the relevance of his writing is taken for granted, perhaps it is necessary to re-examine the role of Shakespeare for the modern audience. There are indeed many people who question the relevance of this 440 year old playwright to a 21st century audience, taking it even as far as perhaps the greatest heresy of all, questioning the necessity of GCSE pupils learning Shakespeare at all.
Throughout the United States and the entire world people are aware of Shakespeare; however, many people wonder why society wants their citizens to continue to read William Shakespeare’s plays and poems. Shakespeare continues to influence today’s environment and brings people together by speaking of a common author that most people know. All across the world, students must read at least one of Shakespeare’s works; which often develop those children who read his works into better writers. During the Elizabethan Era, William Shakespeare experienced an uneventful childhood and had a basic education; however, his life still seems to be shrouded with mystery and raises the argument that he was not only the most successful, but also the most mysterious playwright, actor, and poet from that time period.