To be or not to be.
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Maybe those famous words summon something in your mind. Perhaps you've heard them so many times, you recognize them but still have no idea what they really mean. Maybe they fill you with dread and disgust because you know who wrote them: William Shakespeare.
William Shakespeare is the most famous playwright who ever lived. Over 400 years after his death, his plays are still being performed and adapted for all sorts of medium all over the world. So why, then, do so many young writers dislike or dread Shakespeare so much? Much of this is based on unreasonable assumptions about "The Bard" and his challenging language. In truth, Shakespeare's work can be a lot of fun; his plays are filled with action and witty dialogue and are often hilarious and absurd. This unit will introduce Shakespeare's life and writing style and teach you about the impact that his life and works still have on our culture today. Unit Objective: Students will read, view, and discuss a variety of resources about William Shakespeare (including an interactive flash game about the Globe Theater) and will provide written reflections in response to what they have learned. |