Shakespeare for Teens

by Mary G
(Taipei)

Many of Shakespeare's plays are surprisingly accessible-and meaningful-to teens. With my 9th grader I have read aloud Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, and Macbeth. The key is to READ ALOUD for better comprehension-and better theater!

All of the above can be keyed to history lessons as well, as can the History plays (Henry V, et al.). Romeo and Juliet in particular has a special appeal to flighty, passionate teens ... and their grumpy, obstinate parents!

Reply by Annette: I would entirely agree that Shakespeare is enjoyable and insightful for teens. I absolutely love reading Shakespeare for school, but I will admit that I always have to get a version with the notes in it!

Although we have never read them aloud together, hopefully this year we can start to do that. It will be interesting to see how long Mom and Garrett will be able to stand Shakespeare's Old English! Mom prefers it when authors "get to the point", and Shakespeare is a master at doing exactly the opposite!