William Shakespeare!

Playwright!  Poet!  Literary Giant!

 

William Shakespeare!

A name that strikes fear in the hearts of most high school students.

The complaints are always the same:

 

"It doesn't make sense."   

"It's too complicated." 

"It's boring!" 

"Why didn't he write so people could understand it?"

 

The answers to this carping are: 
Yes, it does.  No, it isn't.  Are you kidding?  and  He did!

 

The problem is that Shakespeare's plays were never meant to be read. 
They were meant to be PERFORMED!

 

The way that most people are introduced to Will Shakespeare is one of the worst ways possible.  They are forced to READ them. 

These words are supposed to be EXPERIENCED, not dissected.

 

Once you are in the center of a Shakespearean performance, you will find that it is as relevant, passionate and meaningful as anything modern entertainment can provide.

 

Romeo and Juliet

 

Young love, a powerful force in any age (Shakespeare's or today's).

This early play of Shakespeare's personifies the strength of this passion that, even under the most overwhelming circumstances can, and, often does, prevail.  

 

Henry IV

 

Who doesn't like a good party?  The booze, the laughter, the good company, the booze.  Nowhere will you find a more willing and experienced party animal than Sir John Falstaff from Henry IV.  Falstaff's main ambition is to endear himself to Prince Hal, Henry IV's son and heir.  With Prince Hal in his pocket, Sir John looks forward to a prosperous retirement if he can only convince Hal (and us) of the wisdom of his philosophy. 
Small clue; He is a classic bad example.

 

The Merchant of Venice 

 

How far would you go for a friend?  Would you lend him money? 
Would you stand beside him if he were in trouble?  Would you

risk your life for him?  These are a few of the questions raised in The Merchant of Venice. In order to help his friend, Bassanio, Antonio has contacted a deal with his bitterest enemy.  The deal is only struck when Antonio agrees to forfeit a pound of his own flesh if he defaults.  Of course, the worst happens and, he does.  He is brought into court and stands condemned.  All the legal proof is against him so his lawyer must appeal
to a higher nature.

  

Just as in most of the courtroom shows we see on TV today, the lawyer always comes up with a fine, legal device to save the day.

 

Henry V

 

War, Struggle, Honor, Sacrifice.

These are all elements of Henry V.  England's Warrior King must inspire and lead his army against almost impossible odds with only his eloquence and example. He and his men face an enemy who greatly outnumber them.  Henry must rally his troops to achieve Triumph from the overwhelming prospect of Disaster.

 

MacBeth

 

In the midst of great, world-changing events, it is often easy to overlook the personal, the intimate.  Yet, we all experience it and it is more meaningful than all the great deeds that may surround it.  Even a character like MacBeth, driven by his ambition and evil, must confront his grief at the height of his last battle.

 

Hamlet

 

Shakespeare's most famous soliloquy presents an eternal dilemma that faces us all.  Action vs. Inaction.  The deed vs. the word.  The Truth vs. the Untruth.  The answer is elusive.

 

Tempest

 

The theme of all of Will Shakespeare's works was Life.

He asked the eternal questions, but he also asked the personal questions as well. He helps us look at our lives and evaluate their worth and their meaning. He helps us face our mortality and it's significance.  He gives us perspective and faith in the Universality of Humanity.