As a teenager, had I been given the choice between having my toenails pulled off and studying one of Shakespeare's plays I would have gone with the former. What could be more boring than having to read something that first needed to be translated into present day english before trying to understand its themes, motifs and symbols. Oh so much hard work! And what would Shakespeare know about the 21st century anyway?
Now as an adult I would definitely choose Shakespeare. My interest in his works were kindled several years ago when our eldest daughter and I went to Auckland to see the play "A Winter's Tale."A perfectly executed production brought to life the themes of suspicion, jealousy, obsession to the point of paranoia and eventually self- destruction.
What about, "To be, or not to be: that is the question."
That is the first line of Hamlet's soliloquy which we all know, but do we know what is being implied?Hamlet is a play about uncertainty, death and revenge.
Macbeth's main theme highlights temptation and the evil side of human nature whilst The Merchant of Venice portrays greed and prejudice.
This is a simplistic view of just 4 of Shakespeare's many plays, but what we must remember about these plays is that these themes are eternal. Human nature is eternal and that is why they are so relevant to us today.
Authors and publishers work hard trying to find creative ways to unpick the old language. John Marsden has written a version of Hamlet in novel form aimed at teenagers which I have read and outlines the play superbly. T.K.Roxborough's novel "Banquo's Son" is a sequel to Macbeth again produced to tempt teeenagers. Orchard Books have published a series of Shakespeare's plays aimed at the junior reader and there are even audio study guides are available for your iPod.
I urge you all to try a Shakespeare play at some point in your life; maybe start out with a novel format and then progress on to the 'real' play. It is worth spending time weeding through the language allowing the themes to surface and appreciatie Shakespeares's view of human nature which is eternal and never changes.
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I agree that Shakespeare would not have been my first choice to study as a teenager, but I quickly grew to love his works. The Merchant of Venice was my first introduction to the bard. The sense of accomplishment at deciphering the language and themes without the study notes (though they were necessary for the more difficult plays) was second to none! I now see my teenage son enjoying Shakespeare and we often talk about how people deal with life and feel the same emotions as they did in the 1600s.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that shakespeare is a) boring and b) and i would get more fun from pulling my toenails out!!!! im dreading studying the full Macbeth shakespeare at the end of this year :(
ReplyDeleteBUT mum has got me study guide 4 mi iPod- apperently you can find shakespeare in the 822.33 section in the library!! KEEP AWAY!!!
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