Why Should Shakespeare Be Taught In Schools Essay

Why Should We Bother Teaching Shakespeare in Highschool Classes?

Kieran Van Roo

Shakespeare is more popular today than he has ever been, hearing his name in books, theaters, and songs. “The man and his words permeate the lives of billions of people” (Gompertz). Shakespeare was a gifted explorer with the literary skills to put what he saw into brilliant words/works of art. His use of improvisation and variety in his writings have carried on to the present day, and for good reason. His wisdom in writing poetry has shaped our world in so many different ways, which is why his writings, such as Romeo and Juliet, are still relevant and should continue to be taught in high schools today.

In some instances, people tend to believe that Romeo and Juliet

First of all, Shakespeare has a genius and enduring influence on the language that we use in our lives today, with his phrases becoming so well known/used. “In fact, during his 52 years on earth, he enriched the English language in ways so profound it’s almost impossible to fully gauge his impact. Without him, our vocabulary would be just too different. He gave us uniquely vivid ways in which to express hope and despair, sorrow and rage, love and lust” (Anderson). Thus, through Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare has inspired writers of all genres. His works have impacted us in the way we express ourselves, as well as experience and process the world around us (Anderson). As a result, Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” has influenced the world around us in many ways. One of these ways is through movies. Shakespeare’s writings have influenced many of the movie “masterpieces” that are popular in today’s age, modernizing his writings, but keeping Shakespeare’s brilliant scripts

For instance, Professor Ewan Fernie, the head of Shakespeare studies at the University of Birmingham, says that the reason we should celebrate and learn about Shakespeare and his writings is "because Shakespeare offers one of the richest experiences in human culture - it's not just for exams or degrees, it's a stimulus to cultural and political life’” (Bell). Another important figure, Prof Fernie, states, “‘It was happening, mocked and marveled at, ideologically disorganized, susceptible to different interpretations, and yet if only we have eyes to see it, instrumental to the association of Shakespeare with the freedom that proved important to western modernity and might still provide us with a credible, substantial and interesting reason for celebrating Shakespeare today’" (Bell). Through his writings, Shakespeare inspired freedom, as well as the proof and promise of new life. Shakespeare was also seen as a hero and vessel of protest, which he helped in the first organized working-class movement. He helped the industrial workers of the time to influence contemporary political debate, reclaiming the past for themselves, gaining political rights, and influencing the working