My son and I have different opinions on the relevancy of Shakespeare in our modern world. Greg thinks Shakespeare’s works have become irrelevant and would prefer to study more modern writers who have written about issues that have shaped our modern world.
He would rather study 1984 by George Orwell which is about totalitarianism, discrimination, tracking and other issues that, in his opinion, are still a concern today. He sees Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury as being relevant because he does not see people burning books in Western society.
I disagree with Greg on both counts but I am limiting this post to my thoughts about the relevancy of Shakespeare, who just happens to be one of my favourite authors.
These are the reasons that I think it is still worthwhile for students to study literature:
We all quote Shakespeare all the time
Shakespeare invented over 1700 of our common words. He did this by changing nouns into verbs, changing verbs into adjectives, connecting words never before used together, adding prefixes and suffixes, and devising entirely original words.
Some of my favourite Shakespeare originated words are green-eyed, assassination, bloodstained, lustrous and obscene.
Continue reading here: https://kayelynnebooth.wordpress.com/2020/06/19/is-shakespeare-still-relevant-400-hundred-years-after-his-death/
roberta-writes.com 
Robbie, I love this and YES – his work resonates today with universal themes – oh, and how long is Greg in a “time out?”
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He’s young, what do you expect? When I was his age anything Shakesperean was anathema to me. Not now at my age. Give hime time Robbie. He will come around. 😉
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Hi Jack, you are right, he is young. He is actually very academic but prefers book with greater political relevancy. I think it is his age of just over 17. I recently read 1066, what a great book. I really enjoyed it. I will be writing up my review this weekend.
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I mean Autumn 1066.
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Let me know when you post it 😉 x
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Will do, Jack.
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Haha, John, Greg is entitled to his opinion he is 17 years old. He has some interesting ideas on the story lines in the complex computer games his age group all play and how they have taken over the literary world. It is interesting to hear what Generation Z think about things. I love Shakespeare, especially The Taming of the Shrew which I find hilarious.
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Yes I agree Robbie but I wonder which are the newest authors who should be studied. 1984 was written a long time ago and I can remember at school when 1984 was far in the future. Though it is more relevant than ever, not only is Big Brother watching us with CCTV but people have to be very careful what they say or risk being vilified! Constantly unthinking and respeaking.
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I love Shakespeare and Chaucer to so I am immobile in my views, Janet. I respect Greg’s views though, he is very academic and thoughtful. He likes fantasy and loved Lord of the Rings, he just doesn’t appreciate Shakespeare’s extraordinariness for his time. He sees Shakespeare’s story lines as being well used which they are, but the other usages followed Shakespeare’s which he doesn’t appreciate.
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Just to have an intelligent discussion with a teenage son is an achievement! Sounds like he is very well read and he still has many years to discover Shakespeare.
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Greg is a delight to have an academic conversation with, Janet. He is extremely bright and knowledgeable. He spends all his time reading about the things that interest him, which is nearly everything.
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Reblogged this on Ed;s Site..
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Thanks for sharing, Ed.
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I agree with both of you.
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Hi Ed, both views have merit, I agree.
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I also have to have a bet each way … I see the relevance of both choices!
But as a Shakespeare fan, he was the first to describe PTSD in his depiction of Lady Macbeth, he is a master … but those other books are also super relevant. Maybe give the students a choice?
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I think the schools enforce a spectrum so that the kids are exposed to a vast array of different authors and writings. I think that is correct at a school level. There is time to specialise later when the student is more mature. Thanks for adding your thoughts.
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sounds reasonable … great that he questions the curriculum!
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Relevant is trend. Plot and story are timeless. One can lay Shakespeare over any conspiracy theory, love story, farce. All that changes are the foes and the clothes. The song remains the same. Be sure he understands that lest he be beguiled into believing the wheel is being reinvented.
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He does understand that, Phil. He is just at the age and of the current view that only books with strong social messages are worthwhile. It is an age thing and that’s okay. I thought his opinions were quite interesting.
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Robbie, I happened to have save a whole year’s worth of my daughter’s book reviews when she was in 8th. She had to write analysis, what her likes and dislikes, the pros and cons of the authors’ views, her alternative endings (if it was a novel). It was great that Greg formed his opinions about William Shakespeare instead of agreeing with everyone because Shakespeare was a great writer.
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How lovely that you still have those reviews, Miriam. So nice to revisit them. Greg always has strong opinions and he likes books with strong messages about social injustices.
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Ah, Shakespeare! Yes, he is as relevant now as ever. Every year we head over to Vancouver’s “Bard on the Beach” – We have a full season of Shakespeare, under the bright tents on a beach overlooking Vancouver skyline (regrettably the 2020 season was canceled due to Covid19). But what I find most exciting is the youth program, which brings out the best of Shakespeare for young people https://bardonthebeach.org/education/community/young-shakespeareans-workshops/. I think that Shakespeare needs to become an emotional attachment that comes from reading aloud, reciting, being activity involved in a play, whether acting or in stage production. While dissecting Shakespeare is important, the vibrancy of participation is so invigorating. Consider Patrick Steward reading a Shakespeare sonnet every day. Shakespeare reminds us to live boldly, remembering that “We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.” A great post and discussion!!
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Thank you for the link and for letting me know about this. It sounds amazing. I agree that Shakespeare is best enjoyed as a performance and in gatherings of like minded people. I would love to attend something like this and will remember it for when we eventually visit Canada. We do have family there.
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This is wonderful news! You must come to Canada. I have decided to read Shakespeare out loud in nature. For several years I have been reading poetry out loud to an empty room and found that is was akin to meditation. Now, I’m thinking of reciting Shakespeare outside. It is rather intimidating – after all it’s Shakespeare. One step forward into a new adventure. I always hold my breath….and as Joseph Campbell said so well: If you are falling….dive.” I am delighted that we have connected!!! Have a great weekend.
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You too, I think reading Shakespeare outside sounds like a grand idea. It is winter here and freezing so I’ll hold that thought until summertime.
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But there’s always play: “A sad tale’s best for winter: I have one of sprites and goblins.” William Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale. I’ll bundle up!!
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I think there’s room for both. I’ve read both and I think I’ve gained something from each.
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Me too, Dan. All classic works attain that status because the offer something special to the world.
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I think all writing, no matter when, shapes the wold we live in. Nor is it an either/or situation. Yes 1984 and similar modern novels are relevant today, but so is Shakespeare who has a lot to say on the world we are currently facing, as we are facing similar issues that humanity has always had to face in some degree. Shakespeare’s relevancy is demonstrated by how his plays can be set in almost any era. Watch Ian McKellen’s film version of Richard III to see how relevant and applicable it is to Twentieth Century history, and also to our current time period.
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Thanks for adding your thoughts, Joanne. I agree that Shakespeare’s themes are timeless. Lots of his works are being re-written into modernised settings which is really nice. Thanks for the tip about the film, I haven’t seen it.
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I love me some B.S.! His work is timeless and we can thank him for so many catchphrases originally coined by him that we still use today! Untold numbers of authors and scriptwriters rework his works into modern versions. And his original works still capture my imagination and my undying attention!
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I am also a big fan, Annette, and I have read a few of the modernised versions of his plays. It is amazing how many words and phrases he added to English. He made it so much more colourful.
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Interesting conversation.
I don’t really have a preference. I think both add a viewpoint that is worth exploring. However, I might favour Shakespeare’s simply because there is a wisdom in his words that appeals to me more.
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Thank you, Bella. I have read all of these books and have appreciated different things about them. I do enjoy Shakespeare though.
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Shakespeare forever! What came to my mind first is how Tom Hiddleston introduced Shakespeare to the kids now that love Marvel. A celebrity influence that I can fully get behind!
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A brilliant move.
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I am a big fan of Shakespeare, and love to see his plays onstage or film. Hard to beat…
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Hi Brigid, I hope you are well. I think Shakespeare is wonderful and his plays are timeless in their themes of love, tragedy and even the humour.
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I like your reasoning – I’ve only read a little Shakespeare (what was required in high school), so I feel like I should read more.
But maaaan it’s hard to read works old enough that the language is so different!
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That is true, H. I always read the books that have the old English on one page with the modern English on the other. It makes that struggle easier and once the English is demystified, I can then appreciate the flow and rhythm of the original words.
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The thing is, there are no new issues. The means used to carry out agendas, ideologies, and a myriad of other ambitions has simply changed. ie: social media has replaced billboards . . . There is nothing new under the sun.
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Fascinating post, Robbie! I loved it. I left a comment for you there. ❤
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I am delighted to know that Vashti. Thanks!
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