Sophia Gonzalez

9th Grade Humanities

Ms. Shirk

April 19, 2017

Its ridiculous to not teach Shakespeare

The Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Macbeth, and more. These are some of the plays

that have been around for 450 years. Made from English poet, playwright, and actor, Williams

Shakespeare. Some may think he was just an old famous british guy that wrote poems and isnt

relevant anymore to today's teaching society although, Shakespeare has made characters that are

relatable to today's society, teaches about the modern human condition, and has different ways of

teaching.

Shakespeare was a white male in the 1500s, though he had a diverse mix of people in

some of his plays. In the article Teacher: Why its ridiculous not to teach Shakespeare in

school its states ...look at the characters of Othello and Emilia, and youll see a humane,

progressive, and even diverse portrayal of the complexities of race and gender. This is one of

the problems we face today everywhere. In schools, jobs, and television. We see this a lot and

hear it, but we dont really talk about it. Shakespeare does a good job in that play of showing

diversity and thats something that we should see more of. Shakespeare was teaching that since

over 400 years ago.

We have all felt insecurities of how we are seen and judged. In a quote by Matthew

Truesdale he says, ...I believe he has much to teach us about the modern human condition... In

the play Othello who lived a life full of valor and who has experiences far beyond and far
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greater than those of his men...we empathize precisely because weve been there... most of us

have felt insecurities that come not because we cant succeed or havent succeeded, but that

instead come because of how we are seen and judged. Everyone has had an experience with

being judged and felt insecurities, Shakespeare does this in Othello and shows how everyone

can relate to this.

Many think that Shakespeare shouldnt be taught anymore because he isnt relevant.

Some think we should teach about other cultures. Truesdale states that Where does it state that

we cant teach Shakespeare and oral African tradition? Both subjects are important and should

be taught. He teaches us about race, gender, and identity. Although cultures are important to be

taught and we need to know about it because it's happening now, we can also incorporate

Shakespeare's plays in it that can relate to the topics.

Although people think hes just an old British guy, thats 450 years old he has a lot to

teach us about the real world and issues we face among each other. Shakespeare has a lot to

teach on race and diversity by using diverse characters in his plays, the modern human condition

about how we feel abf our emotions, and different ways of teaching not just one subject but you

don't need to just teach Shakespeare. Shakespeare might be one of the oldest in the English

world, but he has yet to teach us.