My father, who taught Shakespeare for decades at St. Francis Xavier University, used to say that the plays were not written by Shakespeare, but by another fellow of the same name.
Love the essay. I learned to love reading because of Hamlet. It would be impossible for me to be a PhD student now without having first encountered Shakespeare.
For high school kids studying Shakespeare it takes the right teacher to make it come alive, to show the bawdiness and emotion behind the unfamiliar words. Sounds like your father is one of those, what a gift.
A very nice read. Particularly enjoyed the line, “he makes a universal appeal.” Wonderful! I’ve written elsewhere that, “When we read him we see ordinary humanity because we are the story.” I think that perception of Shakespeare as unapproachable and impenetrable is important too. I genuinely believe we all can (and should) read (not just watch) Shakespeare. The help we need is in finding our way in.
In the early 1970s, high school teacher Mick Higgins gave me my appreciation of Shakespeare. Reading the plays aloud brought them to life. (No coincidence he also taught a class “The Old Testament as Literature”. )
Othello pairs nicely with the movie The Painted Veil—seniors loved the varied reactions to real and suspected adultery. Strong lessons across the board.
My father, who taught Shakespeare for decades at St. Francis Xavier University, used to say that the plays were not written by Shakespeare, but by another fellow of the same name.
LOL. Perfect answer.
Love the essay. I learned to love reading because of Hamlet. It would be impossible for me to be a PhD student now without having first encountered Shakespeare.
My complete works volume is on a living room bookshelf, at eye level, right next to my Merriam Webster Dictionary.
For high school kids studying Shakespeare it takes the right teacher to make it come alive, to show the bawdiness and emotion behind the unfamiliar words. Sounds like your father is one of those, what a gift.
A very nice read. Particularly enjoyed the line, “he makes a universal appeal.” Wonderful! I’ve written elsewhere that, “When we read him we see ordinary humanity because we are the story.” I think that perception of Shakespeare as unapproachable and impenetrable is important too. I genuinely believe we all can (and should) read (not just watch) Shakespeare. The help we need is in finding our way in.
Joel, if you or any of your readers are interested, I wrote this piece on finding ways into Shakespeare. If you or anyone else decides to give it a read, thanks and hope you enjoy! https://makingsentences.substack.com/p/essay-03-will-of-the-endless?r=26i8bq&utm_medium=ios
For all the hard language, kids are surprisingly apt to understand Shakespeare. The shape of the language alone communicates volumes.
In the early 1970s, high school teacher Mick Higgins gave me my appreciation of Shakespeare. Reading the plays aloud brought them to life. (No coincidence he also taught a class “The Old Testament as Literature”. )
Othello pairs nicely with the movie The Painted Veil—seniors loved the varied reactions to real and suspected adultery. Strong lessons across the board.