William Shakespeare is considered one of the most important playwrights in British literature’s history. Shakespeare, the author of 37 plays and 154 sonnets, wrote five poems for people in a way that no other author has ever done. Although Shakespeare’s works might seem difficult to understand for students, they can be easily understood and mastered by those who have the right guidance. The mastery of Shakespeare requires a range of skills that can be applied to anything, from history to mathematics.
This article isn’t the first. Teachers, scientists, scholars, and researchers all support Shakespeare’s inclusion in schools. There is also a side that believes Shakespeare’s works are not appropriate. Arguments to keep Shakespeare out schools argue that his content is too complex, irrelevant or mature. Those who support keeping Shakespeare in schools do studies to show the importance of his works.
The University of Liverpool conducted studies that demonstrated the positive effects of Shakespeare’s language use on the brain. Research at Ohio State University Wexner Medicine Center supported the positive effects of Shakespeare on autistic young people. The Royal Shakespeare Company, a theatre company based in Stratford-upon-Avon, conducted research on Shakespeare’s importance for all students. Because of its unique language and relatability to characters, Shakespeare’s work should be part of public education.
Identifying with the characters
Although the plays may not be for everyone, every reader can find a character that resonates with them. This connection to characters is what keeps people coming back for more.
Shakespeare’s clever compositions include both nobles and commoners. The plays were primarily written for the royal family, but it was common for nobles to be included. Common people make them more accessible to modern and contemporary audiences.
Think of Queen Elizabeth, who ruled during the time Shakespeare wrote. Elizabeth had a significant influence on many of the women characters in Shakespeare’s plays, including Titania in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” or Viola in “Twelfth Night.” Elizabeth’s love for Shakespeare’s plays drove his popularity and inspired other writers to draw inspiration from Shakespeare’s works and incorporate his ideas into their own writings. Some people believe Shakespeare wasn’t really Shakespeare. But that is another story.
Shakespeare was the son of a shoemaker’s wife and a noblewoman. He grew up in poverty. His childhood experiences were a major influence on the inclusion of common people into Shakespeare’s plays. For example, the hilarious antics of Quince and Bottom in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (Hamlet) are both recognizable by students. Students can also relate to the fears of Hamlet’s trusted friends and the humor of the mechanicals. Students will find the text more meaningful if they can identify with specific characters. Shakespeare includes multiple types of people to ensure that.
Make the brain work harder
Shakespeare’s language is complex. It is not surprising that Shakespeare’s writing was difficult to understand, considering that he created about 7,000 words for his works. It is the way Shakespeare used his words that makes Shakespeare’s texts so appealing and important for students to study.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool claim that Shakespeare used a technique called functional shift, which is when one element of grammar has been intentionally altered. Functional shift was a frequent technique used by Shakespeare, particularly when he used nouns and verbs. The brain perceives this as a “sudden peak in brain activity” and it forces the brain backwards to understand Shakespeare’s meaning. (See sidebar study reference.)
Shakespeare’s language requires that readers develop stronger skills to understand the meaning of the text. These skills are essential to being a good analyzer in English, science, history, math, and English. This skill can be useful in social situations where teens are trying to understand what their peers are saying in complex and confusing situations. Students develop language skills that are more useful in social interactions, especially when peers use metaphors or sarcasm without realizing.
Shakespeare as art therapy
Shakespeare may be literature, but it is first and foremost art. Art therapies are a way for children to learn, and Shakespeare could play a role in these therapies. A study by the Royal Shakespeare Company was done to find out how Shakespeare’s influence on youth of all ages. Students used “rehearsal rooms approaches to studying Shakespeare”, which involved physically acting out the play and then working through it as actors or, as Shakespeare would say, as players. These studies produced a variety of results, from improved test scores to positive behavior changes. (See sidebar for study reference.)
A study by Ohio State University was done with students with autism spectrum disorder. The students used rhythm-based language to understand Shakespeare’s language. They also played performance games between the classes. The class taught essential skills such as facial emotion recognition and eye contact. These skills were improved upon after ten weeks. School Shakespeare workshops inspires children of all ages and academically. (See sidebar for study reference.)
Shakespeare is an essential part of everyday life, even if it’s not used as literature. Shakespeare is relatable to readers. It also improves brain function, test scores, and social skills. Students gain the greatest benefits if Shakespeare programs are kept in schools.
Teachers want their students to succeed. It is a great opportunity to teach students and increase their skills before and after adolescence. English teachers can make sure that students have strong and healthy minds by teaching Shakespeare.
