You Should Read Shakespeare

By: Chloe Marshal

A Letter For Teens & Young Adults

One of my favorite parts of all the ninth grade was when I finally got to
read Romeo & Juliet. I had been anxiously waiting the moment we would
begin the classic tale I’d heard so much about. I repeatedly, much to the
annoyance of my teacher, questioned when we would be beginning it.
When we did read it I loved it, however, I seemed to be an extremely small
minority. Nearly every person in this room probably contributed to the
groans and hate that was thrust at this text. Even after all of this I still don’t
understand why you hate Shakespeare even if you don’t have an English
major as a neighbor and you’re not a total bookworm like I am.

Many of you have brought up the point of the difficulty of

Shakespeare’s works. You are completely correct. I was able to find the
Lexile score for almost half of them. Most of his works have a Lexile score of
around 1300, the lowest 1040 and the highest 1470. For reference, the
Lexile of other High School required readings such as A Thousand Splendid
Suns and Night respectively is 830 & 570. However, I would argue that
because we were forced to read Shakespeare, we are able to better
understand things in other classes. When you receive those wonderful first-
person accounts of the black death, the French revolution or some other
event in World History you can better comprehend because of Shakespeare.
The language is extremely similar to that of the sources you are reading.
Maybe they’re not as difficult but you have a grasp on the language.
 A second point I often hear is that reading Shakespeare is boring. This
is by far one of the most outrageous things I’ve ever heard about
Shakespeare. Personally, I found Romeo’s stupidity hilarious in Romeo and
Juliet, but I understand that might not convince all of you, but don’t worry I
have more. In the play, Henry V France and England are disputing and
France decides to send some treasure to smooth things over. However, this
treasure turns out to just be tennis balls which infuriates the King of
England. So, he invades France and starts a war. Back in Shakespeare's time
sending tennis balls to the king would've implied that he was better at
tennis than war since that's what they were trying to avoid. Making it a
pretty sick burn back in the 16th century.

There is also a scene in Richard II where several characters argue

about who killed someone and end up throwing gauntlets at each other.
And of course, there are the many times where people randomly get killed
by lions and bears via funny stage directions (He exits, pursued by a bear).
Lastly, there is my personal favorite; when in Macbeth a murder proclaims,
“what you egg?” immediately before killing his victim, who then shouts, “He
has killed me, mother!” There are countless more examples of exciting or
humous things happening in Shakespeare’s plays. There is no way you can
argue that Shakespeare is boring.

One of the most common arguments that we’ve all probably heard is
that Shakespeare is just outdated. This is easy to “defend” since he died
over 400 years ago, but it really isn’t true. For one it’s regularly quoted in
modern day media or conversation. The Disney film Beauty and the Beast
references both Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet; even quoting the later in a
musical number. There was also a Broadway musical written 4 years ago
about Shakespeare and the writing of Hamlet. You are probably victim of
this without realizing it. If you’ve ever said that you’re “hoodwinked”, “in a
pickle” or “tongue tied” you are quoting Not to mention that he has
universal appeal and some of his works are recognized worldwide. Just
think. How many times in your life have you heard the phrase “to be, or not
to be? That is the question.”? What about “Some are born great, some
achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them”? I bet many
of you didn’t even know that was a Shakespeare quote.

Shakespeare is not some boring, difficult, outdated thing you can

shove on a shelf somewhere. It’s a global phenomenon that is very much
alive. It’s fascinating, educational, useful and enjoyable. It’s like Shakespeare
himself said “If you hate me / I’ll always be in your mind”. You have begun
to believe that you shouldn’t or couldn’t like Shakespeare which is so wrong.
You should love and consume Shakespeare’s works. If you don’t then; and I
quote “Thou art essentially a natural coward without instinct.” (Henry IV
Part I). “Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold” (Macbeth) and “Thou
wilt be as valiant as the wrathful dove, or most magnanimous mouse.”
(Henry IV)