Top 5 Ways to Introduce Students to Shakespeare

As an English teacher, introducing students to the works of Shakespeare can be a daunting task. With unfamiliar language, complex themes, and lengthy plays, it can be difficult to know where to start.  In elementary school, it’s a nearly impossible feat.

In this post, ThinkFives offers ideas for introducing elementary and high school students to Shakespeare including a recommended order to read Shakespeare’s plays for students.

Admittedly, Shakespeare is not for everyone. Even many teachers have only read a mandatory play or two in their career.  But there are ways to make his genius more accessible, and to develop a curiosity about his works.  And unlike teacher admonitions about watching movies and not reading great works of literature, because he is a playwright, watching live theater or filmed classics are great ways to enjoy his works.

Another famous play is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” It’s a funny story about fairies, love, and a magical forest. The characters are silly and make a lot of mistakes, but everything works out in the end.

Shakespeare’s writing can be a bit tricky to understand because he wrote in a different language a long time ago. But, many people still enjoy reading and watching his plays today. Maybe one day when you’re older, you can read and enjoy his stories too!

High School Students

William Shakespeare is one of the most celebrated playwrights in history, known for his incredible writing style and thought-provoking themes. His work continues to be studied and admired by literary scholars, actors, and audiences alike.

Shakespeare’s writing style is characterized by his use of iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern that creates a musical quality in his language. He also used a wide range of poetic devices, such as metaphor, simile, and personification, to create vivid imagery and emotion in his plays.

His major themes often focused on human nature, such as love, betrayal, power, and jealousy. In “Macbeth,” for example, Shakespeare explores the corrupting influence of power and the consequences of ambition. “Hamlet” delves into themes of revenge, madness, and mortality. “Romeo and Juliet” examines the power of love and the tragic consequences of feuding families.

Shakespeare’s plays are also noted for their rich characterizations and complex plotlines, which offer a nuanced and layered portrayal of the human experience.

Overall, Shakespeare’s contributions to literature have been immeasurable, and his work continues to be studied and enjoyed by high school students and beyond.

For middle school students, an assignment based on the quote “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves” from Julius Caesar can encourage deeper reflection and critical thinking. They can create a short story or outline that explores the idea of personal responsibility and the choices we make in our lives.

High school students can be challenged to write a complex story inspired by the quote “To be, or not to be: that is the question” from Hamlet. They can explore the existential themes of the play and create a character who grapples with the decision to live or die.

Here are a few great lines to get you started.

• “To be, or not to be: that is the question.” – from Hamlet
• “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” – from As You Like It
• “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” – from Romeo and Juliet
• “All that glitters is not gold.” – from The Merchant of Venice
• “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.” – from Macbeth
• “The course of true love never did run smooth.” – from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• “Et tu, Brute?” – from Julius Caesar
• “If music be the food of love, play on.” – from Twelfth Night
• “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” – from Julius Caesar

• “Romeo and Juliet” (1968) – Directed by Franco Zeffirelli, this film adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy features stunning visuals and an unforgettable performance by a young Leonard Whiting as Romeo.
• “Henry V” (1989) – Kenneth Branagh directs and stars in this epic adaptation of Shakespeare’s play about the legendary English king. The film won critical acclaim for its stirring battle scenes and Branagh’s powerful performance.
• “Hamlet” (1996) – Directed by Kenneth Branagh, this film adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous play features an all-star cast that includes Kate Winslet, Derek Jacobi, and Richard Attenborough. Branagh’s performance in the lead role is widely regarded as one of the best in film history.
• “Much Ado About Nothing” (1993) – Directed by Kenneth Branagh, this romantic comedy features a star-studded cast that includes Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, and Denzel Washington. The film won praise for its witty dialogue and charming performances.
• “Macbeth” (2015) – Directed by Justin Kurzel, this dark and gritty adaptation of Shakespeare’s play stars Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard in the lead roles. The film received critical acclaim for its haunting visuals and powerful performances.

There are adaptations of his plays and themes that might be a good introduction for younger students.

• “The Lion King” (1994) – This beloved Disney classic is based on Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet.” The story follows a young lion named Simba as he learns to become king and face his evil uncle Scar. The film is a great way to introduce young students to Shakespeare’s themes of family, betrayal, and redemption.
• “Gnomeo and Juliet” (2011) – This animated film is a playful retelling of Shakespeare’s tragic romance, with a cast of garden gnomes as the star-crossed lovers. The film is a fun and engaging way to introduce younger students to the language and themes of Shakespeare’s plays.
• “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999) – This teen comedy is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew.” The film follows a high school student named Kat as she learns to let down her guard and fall in love with a boy named Patrick. The film is a great way to introduce young students to Shakespeare’s themes of love, identity, and the complexities of human relationships.
• “The Tempest” (2010) – This film adaptation of Shakespeare’s play is a fantastical adventure story about a magical island, a sorcerer named Prospero, and his daughter Miranda. The film features stunning visuals and a star-studded cast that includes Helen Mirren and Russell Brand. It’s a great way to introduce younger students to the magic and wonder of Shakespeare’s plays.
• “Romeo + Juliet” (1996) is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, directed by Baz Luhrmann. This film updates the story to a contemporary setting, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the lead roles as the star-crossed lovers. The film is known for its stylized visuals and modern soundtrack, which bring a fresh and exciting perspective to Shakespeare’s timeless tale.

• Shakespeare was born a long time ago  in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564.
• His full name was William Shakespeare, but he’s often referred to simply as “The Bard.”
• He wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets during his lifetime.
• Shakespeare’s plays have been translated into every language and performed more often than any other playwright’s works.
• His plays were originally performed at the Globe Theatre in London.
• He invented many new words that are still used today, like “eyeball,” “fashionable,” and “gossip.”
• He wrote a tragedy about two lovers named Romeo and Juliet.
• He was married to a woman named Anne Hathaway, and they had three children.
• Shakespeare’s most famous characters include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear.
• Some people believe that Shakespeare didn’t actually write all of the plays attributed to him, but there is still much debate about this topic.

1. Romeo and Juliet – This play is a great introduction to Shakespeare for high school students. Its themes of love, family conflict, and fate are relatable and accessible, and the play’s language is relatively straightforward. The story of the young lovers from feuding families is one of Shakespeare’s most famous works and continues to resonate with audiences today.
2. A Midsummer Night’s Dream – This comedy is a good follow-up to Romeo and Juliet, offering a lighter tone and more fantastical elements. The play’s magical setting and themes of love and mischief are engaging for students, and the plot is easy to follow. The characters are memorable and the play has a happy ending, making it a crowd-pleaser.
3. Macbeth – This dark and intense play is a good choice for students who have become comfortable with Shakespeare’s language and are ready for something more challenging. The themes of ambition, guilt, and the supernatural make for a thought-provoking and memorable reading experience. The play’s language is more complex than Romeo and Juliet or A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but the plot is still relatively straightforward.
4. Hamlet – This play is considered by many to be Shakespeare’s greatest work, but it is also one of his most challenging. Its complex characters, intricate plot, and themes of revenge, madness, and mortality make for a rich and thought-provoking reading experience. The language is more difficult than the previous plays, but high school students who are up for the challenge will find the play rewarding.
5. Julius Caesar – This historical tragedy is a great choice for students who are interested in political drama and themes of loyalty, betrayal, and power. The play’s famous “Friends, Romans, Countrymen” speech is a highlight for many students. The language is more difficult than Romeo and Juliet or A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but less challenging than Macbeth or Hamlet. The play also offers opportunities for discussion of historical context and themes relevant to modern society.

What film adaptations of Shakespeare would you recommend for teachers or students?