Why should high school students have to study Shakespeare?

Question

I want to know why William Shakespeare is so important to English literature and why it is vital teens should be aware of his work.

Answer 1

Because when it comes right down to it, Shakespeare's plots aren't all that different from situations today. And your teachers are trying to instill some culture in you. Don't resist it. You will be happy you listened to them later on in your life. Pax-C

Answer 2

Shakespeare's work has had an enormous effect on the history of literature, as well as the English language. For the same reason we still read The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, and Gilgamesh in school, Shakespeare is also an important part of the literary cannon. I could ask the same thing about why I had to study algebra in school and the answer would be very much the same. Both subjects are important to study, for their history as well as their continued impact on our everyday lives. Ok, I feel like I'm answering an essay question right now, but regardless, Shakespeare is a huge figure in English literature and should and will continue to be studied. The more of Shakespeare your read, the more you learn of his impact.

Answer 3

Well, you might start by recognizing that the entire world, especially the English-speaking world, MAY have something there when they state that Shakespeare is the greatest author in the English language.



The fact that YOU don't get it yet, doesn't mean that all of those people, and the prior generations since his time, are wrong.



Look, at high school age, the study of Elizabethan English is not going to be easy going for you. And drama is hard to understand by reading it. It was written to be played on the stage, and enjoyed by live audiences, watching live actors. If you don't live near a city where you can view Shakespeare on the stage, then at least rent a film of some of his best plays, and watch them. Then, bit-by-bit, you will become a bit more familiar with the language, and seeing the action, understand the plot.



Why should you study the best? So that, when you see stuff on TV, you can realize what is good and what is crap in today's drama and comedy . Human drama and human emotions don't always come in 30-minute situation comedies and daytime soap operas, interrupted by commercials. There is something more than the pablum that networks try to feed you today.



If you want to grow as a human being, and experience real emotions and real human characters being developed through the plot, hey, maybe the old guy 350 years ago might have had something that has not been equalled, much less surpassed, by today's writers.



Give it time. Just as you will grow up, so Will S. will grow on you. You will begin to understand the universal themes, like life and death, greed, anger, hatred, jealousy, ambition, love, friendship, honor, self-sacrifice, folly, humor and joy he explored in his time, making him more contemporary than the lesser people who write today. The best authors writing today have all learned something from him, or they would not be the best writing today.

Answer 4

I feel the emphasis on Shakespeare is due to old teaching traditions when we really did not have any other literature to use in English. Since the electronic age is providing us with much more easily accessible literature, and with the changing face of America, students deserve a better cross section of world poetry, novels, literature and plays from other cultures. English is not "purely" influenced by Shakespeare but by other cultures interfacing with English royalty prior to and after this period. It is the royals who influenced the development of the literature more than the language. I feel too much focus is placed on Shakespeare these days.

Answer 5

It is viyal for us to study shakespeare because as outdated the language is..it is very beautifully written nd most imprtantly it is eternal. His situatiuon are really quite timeless and universal..even now don't nyou think there are a lot of teens who can relate to loving someone with a passion like in Romeo and Juliet. Who were treated with condescension..like in romeo and juliet and I think everyones spent a night without sleep just like in Macbeth when the quote: "I slet not a wink" was first used.

Answer 6

His works are the greatest that have ever been written and for years have been included in English language curriculums and exams.



To be able to read and understand his literature gives one a greater insight to all other types of literature and broadens one's knowledge of our language.



All the great actors, past and present have studied Shakespeare

Answer 7

Because he is a designated Icon of Culture. Not too many people really read his stuff--and especially not after they get out of high school, where they were all forced to endure it--but he's this guy who others have decided represents civilization, so you're stuck with him. Also, anything in his plays that might be deemed objectionable (the constant sexual references for example) are so old now that nobody understands them, so it all gets past the censor.

Answer 8

I'm a big fan of teaching Shakespeare in schools, and no, I'm not a sadist. Once the language barrier is overcome, his plays are a treasure trove of insights into human nature, the beauty of language, and the power of art to transform life into something even more true and "real" than our day to day reality.

Answer 9

Isn't Romeo and Juliet sound familiar? He is a very talented writer and play maker who made plays for the Queen and everyone who is important in history. He started it all.

Answer 10

He had a huge influence on the English language and the way it was used, and he also been a great influence on almost every form of art up till the present. You get confronted with him or his work everywhere, so a bit of background knowledge is a good thing to have.

Answer 11

I don't think they should have to.

There are lots of things students could study besides Shakespeare, things that would be better for them.

Answer 12

Because all of his works are classics. Everyone should know all of his famous plays..Romeo and Juliet. He was a genius. He had a great impact on literature as a whole.

Answer 13

Hmmm, Shakespear defined the modern english writing in his time and all writing hencforth.....

Answer 14

To help prepare them for their English class in college (should they go), and to get them a little closer to being cultured..

Answer 15

It hasn't done anything for me in my life so far, but i'm only 23... In my opinion it is pointless, but that could change, hopefully I still got another 60 yrs or so in me...

Answer 16

His literature is very hard to understand so you must be very smart to be able to understand it... in other words it's a test of your comprehension abilities

Answer 17

The most easiest answer is that it's "Not Important Att All" the reason why they are making you too study is because they'll make you study anything just to keep you busy.

Answer 18

Haha, I had to write an essay on this!

Answer 19

no...i hated it...never understood a word....dont get y they made us study shakespeare, i aint gainin anythin frm it!!!

Answer 20

because so they dont be all lazy..and realize how lucky they are to be able to get an education.

Answer 21

so you know that teen sex is okay

cause juliet was like 13 when she and romeo banged :D

Answer 22

Maybe this will help