To Read or Not to Read: Why Teenagers Should Continue to Read Shakespeare

As the English teacher announces the start of the Shakespeare unit, the whole class responds with a series of groans of disappointment and gasps of fear. But why is this the case?

You see, as we stray further and further away from the year 1613, the year Shakespeare wrote his last play, many students think his works are less and less relevant. It is actually quite the opposite.

Indeed, nobody talks like, “art thee having a most pleasurable and beauteous day,” but there are many different aspects of Shakespeare’s literature that are still very relevant today, making Shakespeare a perfect selection to be implemented in the English curriculum.

1. Exercises analytical skills

Analysis is a fundamental skill taught when studying literature. It allows the reader to obtain a deeper understanding of the written piece by building connections to themselves, society, history, and other books. And what better way is there to practice analyzing literature other than trying to interpret writing that sounds somewhat like the current English language infused with words that you have never seen before? For example, in Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, the character Calpurnia says, “When beggars die, there are no comets seen; The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes,” to her husband Julius Caesar, you can interpret the importance of Julius Caesar and the certainty of his death if he decides to disobey his wife. Considering the heavens are sending signs of his future death like blazing comets towards him, you can infer that his death will be quite brutal, painful, and impactful to the people around him. By breaking down the old English used by Shakespeare, you can also start to incorporate his writing style into your own for more descriptive writing.

2. Builds writing skills

Shakespeare is widely known as the father of comedies, tragedies, and histories. Even when writing such diverse genres of literature, he knew how to captivate an audience ranging from kings to peasants, youth to elders, hobbyist to a scholar. This is where Shakespeare’s extensive use of rhetorical devices help paint the atmosphere of his plays. In Act I, Scene I ofTwelfth Night, he uses a metaphor to describe a one-sided love story: “If music is the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die.” Instead of Shakespeare simply saying the main character wants to stop being in love, he describes music being played, like the food that we eat to sustain our bodies, is essential to keeping a relationship alive and well. But then he explains just as if you were fed too much food, you would eventually be sick of it, he wishes to be played more of this romantic music so his love for the girl will eventually disgust him to the point where he will not love her anymore. You can see with this method of descriptive writing, his turns very archetypal characters and themes into meaningful, interesting stories of his own that everyone can relate to.

3. His work is still everywhere

Even after 400 years, many of Shakespeare’s writings are still quoted or used as inspiration for other works. Have you ever heard anyone say, “To be, or not to be, that is the question?” This is one of Shakespeare’s most famous quotes from his play Hamlet. If you have ever watched Taylor Swift’s music video for Love Story, you could then read Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and finally understood all the references in the music video. These are just a few examples of where Shakespeare is evident in today’s society, and the reason why is simple.

The characters present in his plays are still pretty common today in books, movies, and TV shows such as the rich man who has no compassion, the beautiful maiden who doesn’t realize someone is in love with her, or a young couple who think their love can overpower the forces of the world.

Some common themes present in a lot of his plays are love, wealth, power, and death. Shakespeare’s writing gives a common understanding for people on societal issues and shows how similar the past and the present are.

It is quite clear why Shakespeare is still relevant in today’s English curriculum, but now, it is your turn to discover what he has to offer. The appreciation for Shakespeare may not be instantaneous but you will never regret picking up one of his pieces. Every piece will entertain, and teach through the finest lines written in the English language.