As You Like It

Last week was the anniversary of William Shakespeare's death and celebrations were held all over the world.

    But, the passing of the bard 400 years ago, opened up the discussion once again as to why his work is still taught in UK schools.

    There are many who believe that it should no longer be taught as it has no relevance in today's world. However, reading his plays, watching productions of them on stage and screen there is no denying that they are filled with love, envy, racism, deceit, manipulation, murder, sex and violence. Unless the human race has turned over a new leaf in the last week whilst I wasn't looking, these things are very pertinent in the world we live in.

    Shakespeare, is normally taught to children from the age of 15-years upwards, an age that we know that kids do like to read, watch films and play video games that contain many of the aforementioned. Therefore it's not a time to abandon his work but be a little more innovative in how we put it across.
 
    With the Internet, now more than at any  other time there are more resources available to help  teachers. So please let's carry on teaching the bard's work for the reasons, that it is relevant and it can be taught 'as you like it'.