Old Words, Modern Problems : Why Shakespeare Still Sees Us
"I hate learning Shakespeare, it is so boring"
"The words are so old it's barely English"
" I don't even understand what they're saying"
These phrases are common in both classrooms and tutoring sessions when students are first told that they will be studying Shakespeare. For many students, Shakespeare initially feels like learning another language. However, it is important to remind them that once we look beyond unfamiliar vocabulary, his work explore issues that remain relevant to our lives and the media we consume today.
Shakespeare writes about several universal themes such as ambition, prejudice, jealousy, love, family conflict and the abuse of power (just to name a few). In Richard III, Richard carefully manages his public image, spreads information and manipulates others to gain political power. Similar concepts appear in modern books such as The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones, later constructed into successful film adaptations. In both, characters use propaganada, deception and personal influence to gain or protect power. Even Disney's Lion King draws heavily on Hamlet, exploring betrayal, revenge, grief and a son's duty/responsibility to his family.
This lasting relevance contributes to Shakespeare's textual integrity. In English, textual integrity refers to how successfully a text's language, structure, characters and ideas work together cohesively to create a meaningful whole. Shakespeare's plays were influenced by the concerns of his own historical context, but their strong construction allows audiences to find new meaning in them centuries later. Productions can change the setting, constumes or performance style while the central ideas remain recognisable.
Studying Shakespeare also helps students to develop valuable skills. They learn to interpret challenging language, exmaine dramatic techniques and consider how the same issue can be represented differently across time.
Shakespeare still matters because the problems portrayed in his plays have not disappeared. They still remain relevant for contemporary audeinces, with lessons still there to be learnt. The language may be old, but the struggles for power, identity, acceptance annd belonging continue to shape the stories we watch today.
