Teaching Shakespeare Made Fun!

For every newbie literate teacher the idea of teaching Shakespeare can be pretty scary!  Any first time teacher will be anxious by the reality that the text is unfamiliar and difficult, and considered as the experts has interpreted just about every part of the plays for years and years.  Well, to be frank, Shakespeare was ultimately a playwright for the people, and since his work demonstrates the basic truths about human conditions, it has endured since then.
Here follows a few simple steps which you could include in your class to make the first time teaching Shakespeare is less challenging.

1.     First of all you need to rent the film version of the play, because a play is supposed to be seen.  The language on the page is more appreciated if you get the full visual richness of the particular play.  All the work of Shakespeare is available on DVD nowadays.


2.    For you to get the full picture it is best to watch the DVD from beginning to end the first time round.  Then follow along with the text when you view it a second time.  Dot down notes of anything that interests you and will be worth discussing it with the scholars to further their knowledge of the work.

3.    It is suggested to read a modern day translation.  Try to get copies of the texts that contain the original language on one side of the page, and a modern day translation on the other side.   That can help to clear some confusing aspects of the play which is written in old English.

4.    Make use of the annotations.  Most texts will provide you with a definition of a specific phrase or word in the play and also give you historical and essential insight.  When you and the students understand all these references you will be able to comprehend the text better.

5.    For you to further improve your own teaching efforts you should take the time to read through some criticism on the piece you are planning to discuss.

6.    Make sure you practice the rhythm of iambic pentameter.  This could safe you some humiliation in front of the students.  Take enough time to audibly practice the lines you plan to cover before you start teaching your class.  Bear in mind that the lines does not usually rhyme, nonetheless you will find a set rhythm.  It is important for you to figure out the rhythm of iambic pentameter, since it will help you to remember how the lines should be heard when you are reading it out aloud to your students.

7.    Timelessness is quite important.  All the work of Shakespeare can connect with human nature, like love and death, betrayal and jealousy, greed and generosity etc.  By making use of words such as - it is just like - you should try to connect these universal aspects to the modern day living of the students, and they will become more prone to opening up and finding value in the work itself.