...Continuing to Study Shakespeare in School I. Should students continue to study Shakespeare in school, that is the question? Nearly four centuries since of the death of William Shakespeare, the great classical poet and dramatist of the English language are met, and in addition to general acclaim for his work, the debate has increased with the discussion on the appropriateness or otherwise of teaching Shakespeare to American high school students today. a. High school curriculum should continue to keep such an important figure as part of their studies. b. The name William Shakespeare means so much to the history of literature; his ability to connect to the human emotion is timeless; however, his most important legacy is the lasting impression he had left on the English language and the world entertainment world. II. Historical importance - At first glance it would seem inappropriate to dispose of curricula US literary legacy so powerful, intimate and transcendent like Shakespeare. Somehow that is what, in the narrow field of education, defends Dusbiber Dana, a high school teacher in Sacramento, California, where most of the students come from families of minority and low income. a. For Dusbiber, according to the story in the Washington Post, Shakespeare is simply irrelevant. Dusbiber confesses he does not like Shakespeare and he does not believe an English white died in 1616 is the only way to teach your students about the human condition, and that the author should be taught...
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...produced thirty seven play. Although Shakespeare has died more than four hundred year ago, he is still very famous around the world today. William Shakespeare was born on April 23rd , 1564. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in England. The people of England still celebrate his birthday today, it is known as the feast of St. George. He was the third child of eight children. ("William Shakespeare." Wikipedia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . At a time John Shakespeare became a mayor of Stratford, which allowed young William...
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...Review of Biography: William Shakespeare - A Biography by A.L.Rowse: A.L.Rowse is one of the famous English historians and writers of 20th century. He was a renowned writer of Elizabethan era. He wrote several biographies on English historians and literal figures, the most notable one is his controversial Biography on William Shakespeare and his complete works. In the biography, as a scholar and a historian Rowse followed strict historical method. He mentioned all the historical happenings of that particular time and era to analyze and review the works of Shakespeare. It is presented in chronological, thematic structural method based on the social customs, laws including major political events of that time , which adds to the foundation of biography. Shakespeare and his works have fascinated millions for centuries, people have read his books, interpreted and reinterpreted which will continue for centuries and without Rowse’s biography on Shakespeare the research will be incomplete. The author’s main purpose is to understand the works of Shakespeare and the external influences in shaping the work be it social, historical and political even mentioned contemporary gossips which might possibly influenced Shakespeare to write the work. Despite the accuracy and the subjectivity of the work. It has flawed assumptions and debatable conclusions. The fairness of the author is questionable as there is lack documents of evidence which can state the facts...
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...Shakespeare, a household name, was a British playwright who changed theatre forever through his life, works, and legacy. His birth was a significant event for the world of theatre. Shakespeare’s works radically changed literature by setting a new standard of excellency. His legacy, a legacy of greatness, will live on. William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. His actual birthdate is unknown. During his lifetime, children were baptized three days after their birth. He was baptized on April 26, 1564, so his birthday is speculated to be April 23, 1564 (Bio.com). Because his family was so large, William’s parents didn’t keep very accurate records of their children. William was the third child of John and Mary Shakespeare....
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...Renaissance Literature December 10, 2012 Should Shakespeare be taught to Minority Students? Shakespeare is a staple in the English curriculum in American schools. Beginning in seventh or eighth grade, students are fed a steady diet of his tragedies, comedies, histories, and sometimes even the sonnets. Before Michael, Madonna or Prince, he was the one-name artist everyone could relate to globally. This wasn’t always the case. The branding of the name is not accidental. Even more than “William Shakespeare play-wright to American school students” the word Shakespeare, has become a trademark representing the culture and values of a nation. I approached this project with the firm belief that teaching Shakespeare to non-white students was harmful to their development. Shakespeare being taught to non-white students is a problem because they are being told that their culture isn’t enough. Is this a message we want to send after the last 40 years of minority groups demanding, and receiving, inclusion into society? Aren’t there any other works that could be substituted for the works of Shakespeare’s? Plenty of good candidates are published every year but they aren’t taken seriously. Why not? One reason is of course the name brand recognition of Shakespeare. He has had 500 years to gain a position in the public eye. Another reason is the many contributions that he has made to the English language. Many of the tried and true turn of phrases used today come from his characters...
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...In some schools marks the anniversary of William Shakespeare on the day of his birth and death. People celebrate to commemorate the achievements and contribution of Shakespeare that impacts literature in modern days. The article, Why Shakespeare Is Still Relevant, by Joseph Pearce presents the importance of Shakespeare’s work because of his contribution to English literature and the use of his written work to address the person’s morality. Through the plays and works of Shakespeare shows the outcomes of the person’s behaviour, present the reality of life and the significances of his work contributed the English literature. The author, Pearce, displays the relevance of Shakespeare due to his work that impacted today’s literature. Pearce states...
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...The Anti-Stratfordian Movement Interestingly, there are many people who believe that Shakespeare was a fraud. In fact, there was a movie produced in 2011, titled Anonymous, directed by Roland Emmerich, which illustrated a plausible conspiracy. Besides that, there have been additional theories as to who the works really belonged to, with candidates including: Sir Francis Bacon, Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, Christopher Marlowe, and William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby. The most widely accepted possible author is Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford. Because he occupied a high social rank, he could not openly broadcast his plays as his own, as playwrights were considered lowly jobs. Adding to the evidence is the fact that Shakespeare’s...
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...Strategic analysis of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Syndicate group 8 Contents 1. Introduction to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 2. External analysis of the market in which the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust competes 2.1. Porter’s 5 forces analysis 3. Internal analysis of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 3.1. Resource based view of the firm 3.2. VRIN model 3.3. Financial overview 4. SWOT analysis 5. Strategic positioning 6. Executing the strategy 6.1. First Proposal: Bringing Shakespeare characters to life 6.2. Second Proposal: Promoting the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in London 7. Reference list 8. Appendices 2 1. Introduction The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (hereafter “SBT”) is a privately funded organisation based in Stratford-Upon-Avon (hereafter “Stratford”) in order to: 1. Promote in every part of the world the appreciation and study of the plays and other works of William Shakespeare and the general advancement of Shakespearian knowledge. 2. Maintain and preserve the Shakespeare properties. 3. Provide and maintain a museum and a library of books, manuscripts, records of historic interest, pictures, photographs and objects of antiquity with particular reference to William Shakespeare, his life, works and times (source: www.shakespeare.org.uk). Although the SBT has multiple revenue streams, its primary business is to sell a quality, historic, Shakespeare related experience to visitors to the Shakespeare houses located in Stratford....
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...William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. From roughly 1594 onward he was an important member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men company of theatrical players. Written records give little indication of the way in which Shakespeare’s professional life molded his artistry. All that can be deduced is that over the course of 20 years, Shakespeare wrote plays that capture the complete range of human emotion and conflict. Known throughout the world, the works of William Shakespeare have been performed in countless hamlets, villages, cities and metropolises for more than 400 years. And yet, the personal history of William Shakespeare is somewhat a mystery. There are two primary sources that provide historians with a basic outline of his life. One source is his work—the plays, poems and sonnets—and the other is official documentation such as church and court records. However, these only provide brief sketches of specific events in his life and provide little on the person who experienced those events. Though no birth records exist, church records indicate that a William Shakespeare was baptized at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564. From this, it is believed he was born on or near April 23, 1564, and this is the date scholars acknowledge as William Shakespeare's birthday. Located 103 miles west of London, during Shakespeare's time Stratford-upon-Avon was a market town bisected with a country road and the River Avon. William...
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...William Shakespeare, often called the English national poet, is widely considered the greatest dramatist of all time. They believe he was born April 23, 1564 around the day he was baptized, which was April 26, 1564. From roughly 1594 onward he was an important member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men company of theatrical players. Written records give little indication of the way in which shakespeare’s professional life molded his artistry. Al that can be deduced is that over the course of 20 years, Shakespeare wrote plays that capture the complete range of human emotion and conflict. Smith, Peter. The Library of Literary Criticism of English and American Authors. Vol. I. Ed. Charles Wells Moulton. Gloucester: The Moulton Publishing Company, 1959. 447. Talks about how Shakespeare as a child apprenticed his father as a butcher in the family trade. It describes how later on Shakespeare broke away from the family and relocated to London with his wife, Ann Hathaway, to write and perform plays. I am skeptical as to the level that Shakespeare actually disliked his family’s trade, as described here. He always gave prolix orations before slaughtering a calf, which makes me think he was not entirely opposed to being a butcher. Bradley, A. C. . "Shakespeare the Man." Oxford Lectures on Poetry (1909): 330-334. Bradley argues an interesting parallel between Shakespeare’s intense feeling expressed in his works and the “high-flown language of the time” (333). It is suggested...
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...The most influential writer in all of English literature, William Shakespeare was born in 1564 to a successful middle-class glove-maker in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Shakespeare attended grammar school, but his formal education proceeded no further. In 1582 he married an older woman, Anne Hathaway, and had three children with her. Around 1590 he left his family behind and traveled to London to work as an actor and playwright. Public and critical success quickly followed, and Shakespeare eventually became the most popular playwright in England and part-owner of the Globe Theater. His career bridged the reigns of Elizabeth I (ruled 1558–1603) and James I (ruled 1603–1625), and he was a favorite of both monarchs. Indeed, James granted Shakespeare’s company the greatest possible compliment by bestowing upon its members the title of King’s Men. Wealthy and renowned, Shakespeare retired to Stratford and died in 1616 at the age of fifty-two. At the time of Shakespeare’s death, literary luminaries such as Ben Jonson hailed his works as timeless. Shakespeare’s works were collected and printed in various editions in the century following his death, and by the early eighteenth century his reputation as the greatest poet ever to write in English was well established. The unprecedented admiration garnered by his works led to a fierce curiosity about Shakespeare’s life, but the dearth of biographical information has left many details of Shakespeare’s personal history shrouded in mystery...
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...many have been inspired by the likes of Edgar Allen Poe and Shakespeare, there are similarities and differences between the two. Each author has been able to lure their audiences by the characteristics of their writing. Their places in society differ as each had different ways of dealing with the people in society, and their influences in literature has molded how many people see them as great prestigious authors. The types of writing that Poe and Shakespeare wrote can be compared and contrasted in two categories, genre and language. Both Poe and Shakespeare wrote tragedies, but Shakespeare was also fluent in comedies and romance, such as “Romeo and Juliet.” Poe was only familiar with tragedy in a dark and mysterious sense, such as, “The Raven.” Every short story or poem written by Poe has had a dark ambiance about it. He is also widely recognized as the inventor of the modern detective story and a mastermind in the science fiction genre. Another difference is, in the language used between the two authors. Mostly, this it is because of the time eras they lived in. Poe's writing used an intricate vocabulary to create mysterious imagery to capture and lure the reader into the story. “But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only, That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.” His writing was a reflection from the era of the Dark Romantics, which fit his writing to a tee. Shakespeare wrote in the language that was used in his time, the Renaissance...
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...William Shakespeare: Merchant of Venice The name William Shakespeare will be remembered for as long as one can imagine. People from all around the world constantly read Shakespeare’s plays, as they are known to be some of the best plays in history because of their unique and profound qualities that helped Shakespeare earn his title of “the greatest dramatist of all time.” Unfortunately, because Shakespeare lived long before modern-day playwrights and poets, the worlds literary society knows much less about him and his background than they do about his plays. Although there is very little evidence that proves Shakespeare’s existence, he did once live during the 16th century. Historians have made assumptions about Shakespeare’s life and the events that he experienced in order to piece together a timeline of the mysterious poet’s life. There are not any actual birth records that exist, but scholars have found church records, which state that a William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. Educated assumptions are all that scholars have in terms of sources relating to the early life of Shakespeare. However, information about his adulthood has been gathered and allows for people to get to know the poet a little more personally. Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582, in Worcester, in Canterbury Province. Shakespeare was only 18 when he and Anne got married. His young age did not stop him from becoming a father shortly after his...
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...William Shakespeare is considered to be one of the greatest English-speaking authors in all of history. Shakespeare has had more theatrical works preformed than any other play writer. Shakespeare lived during a time of European history that was known as the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a time in which there were many developments in science, religion, political thought, and more so literature. The time period of the Renaissance lasted from the 14th century up through the 17th century. Since literature played such a large impact throughout this time period, Shakespeare was known as an important figure. William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. There are no records that indicate anything about Shakespeare’s educational history, but it is assumed that he had attended a prestigious school where he studied Latin Grammar. William married a woman named Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582. Together, they had three children, two of which were twin boys. By 1592 Shakespeare started to earn a living as an actor and playwright in London, where he had eventually produced several plays. He had become a managing partner in the “Lord Chamberlain’s Men”, which was an acting company that was extremely popular during that time period. Shakespeare was so successful with this company that many of his plays were published and sold as literature. By 1597 he had 15 of his 37 plays published and available to the public. In 1599 Shakespeare and his colleagues built their own...
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...William Shakespeare’s work has made a huge influence, especially in poetry. Throughout Shakespeare’s life, he accomplished great things and is still being recognized even after his death. William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 23, 1564. He is the son of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden(Academy of American Poets). He had 6 siblings, who he spent his childhood with, these include: Joan Shakespeare, Gilbert Shakespeare, Edmund Shakespeare, Margaret Shakespeare, Anne Shakespeare, and Richard Shakespeare(Shakespeare...
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