The literature goat . . . the enchanting English elite . . . the ultimate writer huzz . . .
We all know the man named William Shakespeare.
“Why are you writing this?” you all chant in unison.
Other than to make myself look like a nerd, I just really like the guy, and books/English are my bread and butter.
Wherever you are in your high school career, you’ve definitely had to read a Shakespeare work or two.
But I want to highlight how prodigious Shakespeare is and why you should love him beyond your assigned Romeo and Juliet reading freshman year (once you figure out how to decipher Shakespeare’s stylized English, the plays actually are really fun to read).
My love for English started when I took the ECHO Supreme Leader Mr. Kissick’s Shakespeare class last year (this article is also an ad for that class—you should totally take it if you have room in your schedule) #nobodytoldmetosaythis.
Funnily enough, in the Shakespeare class, we read a lot of Shakespeare. What are the chances?
I really grew to appreciate all of his works, and how many genres in literature that he mastered in his life. From tragedy to comedy to romance to history, Shakespeare got it down pat (and was the first of his kind to do so).
I was intrigued by his mastery, and got really into his works and the story of his life (I’m employed, I promise).
Specifically, I really enjoyed reading his comedies/romances. In that class I read:
Twelfth Night (Comedy) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Viola, separated from her twin Sebastian, dresses as a boy and works for the Duke Orsino, whom she falls in love with. However, Orsino is in love with the Countess Olivia, and sends Viola to court her for him, but Olivia falls for Viola instead. Sebastian arrives, causing a flood of mistaken identity, and marries Olivia. Viola then reveals she is a girl and marries Orsino. (Don’t tell Fox News about this play . . . )
Henry V (History) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
After an insult from the French Dauphin, King Henry V of England invades France to claim the throne he believes should be his. Henry stops an assassination plot, gives powerful speeches, and wins battles against the odds. In the end, he woos and marries the Princess of France, linking the two nations (although a history play, nothing is more entertaining than reading about a king having the ultimate crashout.)
The Taming of the Shrew (Comedy) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Lucentio loves Bianca but cannot court her until her shrewish older sister Katherina marries. The eccentric Petruccio marries the reluctant Katherina and uses a number of tactics to make her an obedient wife. Lucentio marries Bianca and, in a contest at the end, Katherina proves to be the most obedient wife. (Sexist? Yes. Boring? No.)
Macbeth (Tragedy) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Three witches tell the Scottish general Macbeth that he will be King of Scotland. Encouraged by his scheming wife, Macbeth kills the king, becomes the new king, and kills more people out of paranoia. Civil war erupts to overthrow Macbeth resulting in more death. (Lady Macbeth is the original #ihatemybf final boss.)
The Tempest (reading now, don’t know yet) but so far . . . ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Prospero uses magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. Prospero’s slave, Caliban, plots to rid himself of his master but is thwarted by Prospero’s spirit-servant Ariel. The King’s young son Ferdinand, thought to be dead, falls in love with Prospero’s daughter Miranda. Their celebrations are cut short when Prospero confronts his brother and reveals his identity as the usurped Duke of Milan. The families are reunited and all conflict is resolved. Prospero grants Ariel his/her (no one really knows) freedom and prepares to leave the island. (Weird ahhh Little Mermaid.)
Basically, I want to stress how fun and entertaining his plays are when you don’t have a ten page assignment attached to it . . . I mean, why else would he be read, performed, studied, and enjoyed for the last 400 years?
Put some respect on the man’s name.
All summaries adapted from shakespeare.org.uk 😊😊