How to Teach Shakespeare to High School Students

15 August, 2024
Scott La Counte

Teaching Shakespeare to high school students can be both rewarding and challenging. The language, cultural references, and historical context can make his works seem inaccessible, but with the right approach, students can discover the richness of his plays. Here’s a guide on how to make Shakespeare come alive in your classroom.

1. Start with Relatable Themes and Characters

Shakespeare’s plays address themes that are timeless and universal—love, power, betrayal, jealousy, and ambition. Before diving into the language, help students connect with the themes they’re already familiar with. For instance, draw parallels between Romeo and Juliet and modern-day stories of forbidden love or Macbeth and the pressures of ambition.

2. Use Modern English Translations and Side-by-Side Texts

One of the biggest hurdles in teaching Shakespeare is the language. Using resources like No Fear Shakespeare or side-by-side translations can ease students into understanding the text. These translations present the original language alongside modern English, helping students grasp the meaning while appreciating the beauty of Shakespeare’s verse.

3. Incorporate Film Adaptations and Performances

Shakespeare’s works were meant to be performed, not just read. Showing students film adaptations, like Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet or Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet, can make the plays more accessible. For a twist, consider modern adaptations like 10 Things I Hate About You (based on The Taming of the Shrew) to help students see how Shakespeare’s stories translate into contemporary settings.

4. Engage Students with Active Participation

Make Shakespeare interactive by incorporating performance into the classroom. Assign roles and have students read aloud or act out scenes. This helps them better understand the rhythm, tone, and emotion behind the text. Even shy students can benefit from smaller group activities where they perform short scenes or monologues.

5. Break Down the Language and Literary Devices

Shakespeare’s use of metaphor, imagery, and wordplay can be challenging, but breaking down these devices makes his writing more approachable. Focus on key passages and analyze them together. Discuss the meaning behind famous soliloquies like “To be or not to be” from Hamlet or the metaphorical imagery in Macbeth’s “Is this a dagger which I see before me?”

6. Contextualize the Historical and Cultural Background

Understanding the Elizabethan era—the time during which Shakespeare wrote—helps students appreciate the plays’ context. Discuss topics like the social hierarchy, gender roles, and the political climate of the time. Comparing these historical elements to today’s world can spark insightful discussions about how much (or how little) society has changed.

7. Connect Shakespeare to Modern Issues

Draw connections between the plays and current events or pop culture. For example, explore how Julius Caesar’s themes of power and betrayal relate to today’s political landscape or how Othello addresses issues of race and jealousy that are still relevant. This approach not only makes Shakespeare relatable but also encourages critical thinking.

8. Use Creative Assignments and Projects

Allow students to express their understanding through creative projects. Have them rewrite a scene in modern language, create social media profiles for characters, or design a marketing campaign for a play. These activities make the material engaging and encourage deeper exploration of the text.

9. Discuss the Importance of Interpretation

One of the most fascinating aspects of Shakespeare’s plays is how they can be interpreted in various ways. Encourage students to explore different perspectives—how a director might choose to stage a scene or how an actor might deliver a line. This can lead to lively discussions about character motivations, themes, and the overall meaning of the play.

10. Encourage Group Work and Peer Learning

Group activities can make Shakespeare less daunting. Organize discussions where students share their interpretations of scenes, debate character actions, or analyze themes. Peer learning fosters collaboration and helps students feel more confident in expressing their thoughts.

Conclusion

Teaching Shakespeare doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. By using creative strategies, modern resources, and active participation, you can make his works engaging and accessible for high school students. When students see that Shakespeare’s stories are full of drama, humor, and emotion—just like their own lives—they’ll be more likely to appreciate the relevance and brilliance of the Bard.

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