Colonial Canadian Shakespeare

Shakespeare died 400 years ago. He is the only required author in the 9th grade Common Core. Why is that? Shakespeare is a world-known English, actor, playwright, and writer. He wrote 38 plays, poems, and sonnets. He is being taught in freshman English classes in high schools, and making these freshmen miserable. Shakespeare should not be included in the 9th grade curriculum because it is hard to understand, not relevant, and meant for the theatre and not a

The morals and values presented in his works speak to the audience, often offering a new perspective on the world in which they live. Students are affected by the powerful and complex characters and are rewarded with profound insights into human nature and behavior.I firmly believe that Shakespeare's works, like no other literature in the high school curriculum, challenge and invigorate the minds of students. Because of the complex characters, difficult vocabulary and style in which he writes, students must elevate their level of learning to grasp a clear understanding of his works. Shakespeare's plays hold intricate meanings and messages. His

If one was able to look into our classroom, they would see the kids rushing to the whiteboard to try and get a part that they can read. Spots filled, they anxiously wait to continue on with the story. Then that person would ask, “Why would they be so excited to read something so old and outdated?” Well to answer, it’s because Shakespeare’s work is still applicable to our lives today. Shakespeare should stay in the 9th grade curriculum, because it strongly relates to today's day and age, keeps the kids in the class active and paying attention, and helps convey a strong message that everyone should follow.

When analyzing the West region of Canada two groups emerge one being the Prairies of

Do you ever wonder why Shakespeare is still taught in high school. In high school, Shakespeare was shoved down our throats and I despised Shakespeare and his works. I thought that they were pointless and was just a way to torture high school students, but the more I think about what Shakespeare is trying to teach through his works. The more I respect and understand the themes and the language of his works. The more that you understand the more that you can relate, the more that you can relate the more that you can reflect on the things that you have learned. In this essay, I will argue that Shakespeare’s works are important to learn . I will support my argument by explaining the universal themes in Shakespeare’s

In the words of T.S. Eliot, “We can say of Shakespeare, that never has a man turned so little knowledge to such great account” (Eliot). The works of Shakespeare are known throughout the world as classic literary pieces. The lessons learned through reading Shakespeare have carried themselves and remain to be true although they have been around for hundreds of years. The style in which William Shakespeare wrote has influenced a great amount of the literature that has been written in the more recent past-- books that are read throughout schools in the United States today. It is necessary to read the work of William Shakespeare in schools today, not only because of the lessons in his work, but to understand the roots of some of today’s literature.

In the grand scheme of things, it seems quite odd that the vast majority of people have decided it is important to perform, study, and read plays written by a man who has been dead for over four hundred years. This of course, refers to William Shakespeare. For many people, the mention of his name brings up a faded memorized line or two from high school, but his impact on the world stretches farther than the perimeters of a classroom. Shakespeare revolutionized the English language to the point where half the time people are blissfully unaware of the fact they are quoting him. Whenever someone says, “What a sorry sight,” or, “I’m tongue tied”, they are not only empirically unoriginal, they are spouting Shakespeare.

Shakespeare is dead. Shakespeare is not relevant in today’s times. It is very boring for students to listen to the material, and only a certain type of personality can appreciate Shakespeare.

“For all but a few...reading Shakespeare is a form of torture” (Robshaw 402) and “few people realize how much englished has changed in the last generation” (Robshaw 401). Shakespeare was taught so long ago that the generation we’re in now is much different, so the students now days don't really want to learn it because it's so old. Our English teachers should teach more things that are of our generation than teach us about 400 years ago.

Shakespeare has been used in schools for many years. His writings are considered to an art that is important to our culture. I believe that Shakespeare should be kept in the ninth grade curriculum because the U.S. is falling behind to more literate countries, his writings help people to better understand themselves and their struggles, and Shakespeare’s writings are a part of our culture.

They started them off easy with Shakespearian sonnets, but by Middle School, the students tackled his lighter material, the comedies. But, by ninth grade, it became time for these young minds to tackle the histories and, most importantly, the tragedies. In fact, their senior year centered on a research paper, while citing MacBeth, King Lear, Hamlet, and Othello, they were to craft their own definition of tragedy for Mr. Naething’s English class. Lawrence Levine’s chapter “William Shakespeare in America” addresses why this private school focused not only its curriculum on Shakespeare but centered it’s advertising literature to prospective parents about that fact. He argues the performance of William Shakespeare’s works, whether rote or adapted, did not belong to any one cultural group or classification in the early to middle nineteenth century. Additionally, no one claimed cultural authority over its presentation, as Shakespearian works were presented equally amongst other entertainment of all varieties. It was neither fine art nor was it middle of the road entertainment, it belonged to the cultural commons. Levine observes, “But it was a Shakespeare presented as part of the culture they enjoyed, a Shakespeare rendered familiar and intimate by virtue of his context.” So, how and why did the works of William

“To be, or to not be.” A famous quote from the play, “Hamlet”, written by William Shakespeare (poetryfoundation.org). A man who became one of the greatest playwright of the Elizabethan era and influenced the audience, actors, and individuals who continue to learn about his written work. The topic of Shakespeare being taught in schools has become controversial. In fact, 25,000 individuals from Alberta, Canada, reviewed the K-12 school curriculum and strongly believe Shakespeare shouldn’t be a required author (pressreader.com). However, the study of Shakespeare has become valuable to the literature programs in schools which shapes and challenges the students in influential ways. This can involve the literary techniques and language the readers are exposed to, the knowledge that comes with the studies, the culture it brings and the ability to connect with the stories. Shakespeare is still applicable in today's society and the lives of the students, which is why the teachings of his work is important in classrooms today.

Students all over the world read Shakespeare’s iconic and well known dramas. As they are seated in the classrooms, they interpret the stories differently and read each line with anticipation on what’s going to happen next. They continue relating to Shakespeare’s works in their own ways and are, overall, effected positively by his dramas. Schools should continue including Shakespeare in their curriculum because the dramas are timeless and beneficial to students.

Despite being written to pander to the lowest common demoniter in Elizabethan times, Shakespeare, in our society, seems to be reserved for scholars and the well-educated, with its use of language lowering it's accessibilty and providing us with a barrier to enjoyment , making it relatively obsolete in our times.

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. This “proposed vandalism from the policymakers” (Guardian 09/02/01) is opposed wholesale by supporters