Meeting Shakespeare

William Shakespeare's plays and sonnets are a central part of British identity, and are taught in schools across the UK. What do you know about William Shakespeare? 

Meeting Shakespeare in high school

Statue of Shakespeare, Stratford-Upon-Avon

Who was William Shakespeare?

Shakespeare was a well-known playwright and poet who lived in the 16-17th century. He is most famous for his plays such as Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, and The Merchant of Venice. If you’ve ever tried to read the originals, you will know that the English used is very different from modern English. Of course there are also modern versions using modern English, and they have been translated into every living language.

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Shakespeare in UK schools

In most of the U.K., Shakespeare must be taught once or twice during secondary school (typically ages 11-18). It is optional in Scotland, unlike the rest of the U.K., but many schools teach it anyway. Different schools or classes might study different plays and it is sometimes the choice of the teacher. Shakespeare’s plays explore many themes such as friendship, love, betrayal, forgiveness, ambition, and regret. However, he is perhaps most famous for writing tragedies: stories that end badly for the characters. Teachers may feel some of Shakespeare’s works have themes unsuitable for younger students and so select plays carefully.  A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest are popular choices for younger students, while Hamlet and Othello are popular choices for older students. Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet are quite popular for all ages in secondary school. 

Romeo and Juliet

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A Midsummer Night's Dream

Why study Shakespeare?

So why study Shakespeare? Perhaps to appreciate a part of English literary history. Perhaps to develop reading skills and deductive abilities. There has been a long history of learning Shakespeare in the U.K. and it has been compulsory and non-compulsory at different times. It has also been taught using different styles. Early on, study of Shakespeare in school focussed on memorising parts of his plays, and tests involved testing how well students knew them. Students would often be sitting at desks while teachers or chosen students would read parts aloud. Later, ways of learning Shakespeare changed and discussion and interpretation of his plays was encouraged more widely. Teachers also started to make learning Shakespeare more active, such as by teaching students drama and having them act out parts. If students were lucky, they might have gone on a school trip to see a Shakespeare play at a nearby theatre. As videos became more widely used in class, students could watch recordings of plays or movie adaptations of Shakespeare’s works. 


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How can you experience Shakespeare?

So what could Shakespeare be to you? Maybe pick up one of his plays and read it, but if this is not your thing that's ok! It is certainly not how Shakespeare’s works were made to be enjoyed. They were made for the theatre, and you should see them there. And if going to the theatre does not appeal to you, maybe you like movies? There are many film adaptations of his works. Although many are quite old and in black and white, there are plenty of modern ones too. Most recent, at the time of this article, is 2021’s ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’. If you are interested in English culture and literature, then Shakespeare is a playwright you should learn more about. His works could open up a whole new world to you.

Quiz:

How much did you understand? Test your reading comprehension with the quiz below.

Quiz:

Shakespeare died in the…

1. 16th century
2. 17th century
3. 18th century
4. 19th century

Hamlet is more often taught to…

1. Younger secondary school students
2. Older secondary school students
3. Secondary school students of all ages
4. Kindergarten students

Shakespeare is most well-known for his…

1. Comedies
2. Tragedies
3. Romances
4. Horrors

Teachers don’t need to teach Shakespeare in…

1. England
2. Wales
3. Scotland
4. Northern Ireland

Compulsory means…

1. It must be done
2. It must not be done
3. It can be done
4. It shouldn’t be done

Shakespeare was most famous for…

1. His poems
2. His plays
3. His sense of humour
4. His delicious cooking

Check your answers by clicking on the image above