Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet, are some works that we must teach in high schools. I'm not against that. I think they are great pieces of literature with beautifully written lines of poetry. However, for the average high school aged student the task of trudging through each line of Shakespearian English is less then exhilarating. Which is my main concern. Why are we forcing students to READ every line of a play? For many students, reading a play in general can be a difficult task, what with a lacking description of action and so much left to the director to decide. Added on top of that is a version of English no longer used in today's society (so much for making the text relevant). 

So here's my idea. We have the students WATCH the play (as it was meant to be enjoyed) while following along in the text. It wouldn't hurt to have them writing down quotes that they particularly enjoyed. And stopping between scenes to discuss what happened, new developments in the characters, and translating some of the more difficult lines. This would save a tremendous amount of time and the students would understand the plot way more in depth than they would were they just reading the lines.

 

But don't think that is it. We have to make the experience meaningful and enjoyable for them (yes I believe that it's important to make enjoyable lessons). Either the instructor cuts certain sections or the students are set free to find their own selections of the play. The cuttings must fit into an assigned time frame, groups are divided so to supply each section with the proper amount of players, then the students spend a few days learning lines, blocking scenes, and coming up with props or other add-ins they choose. Then, for the final show, each section performs their selection from the play to the class. Make an event of it! Invite others to come see it! Ask the drama department if you could borrow the stage for a day or two. Make the students OWN the play. Guarantee they will find the experience meaningful and they will have an understanding of the text that goes deeper than just grazing over it and taking a test. 

Side note:

My prof. mentioned this book, From Hinton to Hamlet to the class. I am adding it to my lists of books to buy. Seems like a worth while read. Connecting Young Adult Literature to the classics. Making the classics meaningful to the students. Because that's what it's all about. 

If we can't make the lessons meaningful and relevant to the student, then we're wasting our time.