"Although Shakespeare's plays were performed at other venues during the playwright's career, the Globe Theatre in the Southwark district of London was the venue at which the Bard's best known stage works (including his four great tragedies) were first produced. The Globe was built during Shakespeare's early period in 1599 by one of his long-standing associates, Cuthbert Burbage, the brother of the most famous Shakespearean actor of the Elizabethan Age, Richard Burbage." (R. Moore) .
The above information can be heard in high school English classes around the nation. Teachers everywhere are following their districts" scope and sequence outlines and the their state's common curriculum guidelines while designing unit goals and objectives. Thus, Shakespeare units that include his poetry and plays must be taught. However, is learning that Shakespeare's theater company performed his plays at the Globe Theatre or memorizing Hamlet's "To be or not to be" speech going to make America's students any more prepared to defend the country, design buildings that stand up to natural disasters, create improved technology, or research cures for cancer? .
While learning about Shakespeare's life, his literary works, and the time period may increase a student's cultural awareness, literary comprehension, and appreciation for literature, the majority of students do not go on to become English majors or history majors in college. In America's push to send all secondary students to four year universities, the assumption has been made that all students are interested in a liberal arts education and that all students will utilize the knowledge bestowed upon them in these humanities, social sciences, and fine arts classes. What about the students who are interested in computer programming, engineering, construction, mechanics, designing and building motorcycles, graphic design? Students who need more vocational training, job experience, and hands-on training.
