I’ve loved Shakespeare for decades, so it’s painful when teens ask me why they have to read his work. My immediate answer is “Why not?” But I have to admit I do understand why they ask. I also understand why I answer in the way I do. Here are my five reasons to read Shakespeare:
Themes
The themes in Shakespeare are universal and enduring. His plays are about betrayal, love, pride, loyalty, fate, choice, and on and on. For teens, it’s often easier to name the theme in a work by Shakespeare than it is for them to name the theme in a contemporary work. My guess is that they don’t initially get as caught up in his work because of their difficulty with the setting and language; it leaves them with the bare bones of the narrative, which is a sure way to arrive at the theme. However, once they have had the experience of articulating a theme, they have a skill they can use going forward.
Character Traits
Once again, the teens I’ve worked with zone in on character traits more readily in Shakespeare than in contemporary works. It’s not difficult in Romeo and Juliet to recognize that one character is always ready for a fight, while another is more into his inner world. Comparing the character traits in Hamlet, it’s as easy to spot the character who is wordy and anxious as it is to spot the character marked by self-doubt. Again, teens gain a skill they can carry with them.
Relevance
This is the one that really impresses teens: The realization that something written in the 1500s, possibly, in any way at all, has relevance to what is happening in their own lives. Yet, there it is, from the unreasoning jealousy in Othello to the foolish choices made in King Lear. It’s a first step in their recognition that there are basic stories told over and over again across ages, which leads to a slim awareness of tropes and archetypes.
Archetypes
You can find the Cinderella story in many cultures. Ditto the Hero’s Journey and the Wise Elder, the Impatient Youth, and the Shadow Self. All of these are alive and well in Shakespeare, and again, I believe that because it takes some effort to get into his work, teens naturally grab onto what they recognize to help them organize the experience. As a result, they leave their time with Shakespeare with an enhanced understanding of the stuff of narrative
Language
What can I say other than that, while it is true that reading Shakespeare with understanding from the get-go is pretty much not going to happen, the experience of watching action you understand while listening to words you only “sorta” get is one that takes teens to a place beyond description. It’s a sensory experience that rivals other experiences they’ve had with video or movies. And, when they are comfortable enough to read aloud among themselves, the meter and rhymes and images and pace — it’s something they’re eager to repeat.
Bottom Line
Why read Shakespeare? Why not? It’s an enjoyable experience that leaves teens with skills they can use throughout their academic career and into their personal lives.
More at How We Read Shakespeare