Shakespeare's works have an incredible value within them. In addition to exposing students to a multitude of literary techniques, Shakespeare's plays challenge students with difficult language and style, express an intense knowledge of human behavior, and offer insight into the world around us.
William Shakespeare is recognized by much of the world as the greatest of all dramatists. The intricate meanings, extensive vocabulary, and powerful imagery contained within his works, demonstrate the phenomenal story telling ability he possesses. School programs offer students the opportunity to study Shakespeare at length and provoke a greater appreciation of his literary ability. Analyzing his work enables students to recognize, understand, and respect the playwright's true genius.
Hidden under floorboards of amazing poetry, is Shakespeare's broad use of irony, imagery, rhythm, and other literary devices. Through these devices, he establishes his characters. Using these devices provides students with a broad knowledge of literary style and technique, while serving to develop and improve writing skills. Also, because many modern literary ideas and writings stem from and can be traced back to Shakespeare, familiarity with his works gives students an advantage.
Despite the difficulty that Shakespeare's style of writing presents, the passions and emotions described by Shakespeare touch the hearts of his readers and audience, students included. Vivid imagery and poetic descriptions are presented effectively and have an amazing impact on his audiences. Shakespeare basically summarized human emotion in sixty page poems. Readers are provided with the opportunity to step into the lives of his characters; to feel their emotions and understand their motivations, which is a very rewarding experience for students.
Although Shakespeare wrote his plays more than 350 years ago, the relevance of their themes and subjects still exists.
