“If you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have played fast and loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool’s paradise – why, be that as it may, the more fool you, for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare.” [i]

The above compilation reminds us of Shakespeare’s ability to turn a phrase: a not-so-subtle indicator that the Bawdy Bard has impacted our language and culture in ways we no longer recognize as his. The same can be said for the some 1700 or so words assumed to have been coined by him. But those phrases and words might never have entered into our language consciousness had it not been for “Shakespeare’s ability to summarize the range of human emotions in simple yet profoundly eloquent verse.”[ii] Coupled with compelling, complex characters and memorable stories, “every kind of story – comedy, tragedy, history, melodrama, adventure, love stories and fairy tales – and each of them (told) so well that they have become immortal” (Stories from Shakespeare, 11)[iii], Shakespeare’s genius has become a civilization’s touchstone; 400+ years of centrality in our English language and literature.

Integrating play-reading into our homeschools threatens boredom, however. I consider it a significant accomplishment of our homeschooling years that my children’s adulthoods are peppered with play-going experiences (typically our local summer Shakespeare festival). Instead of getting bogged down with the have-to’s, somehow we managed to communicate that there are very good reasons why the Bawdy Bard is still a fixture in high school English courses and college-prep reading. Although it’s only in hindsight that I’ve understood the importance, here are some of things we incorporated into our homeschool.

First of all, don’t JUST read Shakespeare. The plays were meant to be performed, to be heard and seen. I dutifully read a couple of plays in high school but my love for the Bard traces back to a college production of Comedy of Errors, set in the 1920s and complete with keystone cops and strobe lights. As a family over the years, we’ve seen college plays, summer festival offerings and professional productions in Chicago. However, we’ve loved the many excellent videos available just as much. Kenneth Branagh (actor and director) has produced stunning film versions including an uncut Hamlet, an enthralling Henry V, and a delightful Much Ado About Nothing. With Shakespeare, I tossed out my rule that books must be read before the movie is watched. I always tried to find a quality video or live production before reading any play. [A word of caution here. Shakespeare’s bawdiness shows up in visual interpretations more than in the actual words. Be prepared.]

Secondly, READ Shakespeare, but utilize the many helps available. You can start at an early age with Tales From Shakespeare. These stories based on the plays will acquaint your student with the story line as well as give them a general flavor of the literature. Shakespeare’s plays are available in glossed (unknown words defined) and annotated (explanatory notes) versions. There are editions such as No Fear Shakespeare or Shakespeare Made Easy where the original is placed side-by-side with a modern English “translation” or are in stand-alone modern English. There are even elaborate graphic novel renditions. In addition to all these helpful versions, there are wonderful study guides available that help develop an appreciation for the bard as well as deepen an understanding of his plays. And, by the way, be sure to read (at least part of) the plays out loud as family read-alouds or individually. You’ll understand and follow the play much better if you are utilizing the ear-gate as well as the eye-gate. Shakespeare’s antiquated English does take a little getting used to but you’ll be surprised to realize that you begin to develop an olde English ear.

Reading about the man and his times adds another dimension to your Shakespeare study. Understanding the time period (end of middle ages/beginning of Renaissance), his queen and country (Queen Elizabeth I) and their political intrigues, where the plays were performed (Globe Theater), as well as the life of the actual man will complement historical and cultural studies. Understanding the geographical diversity of the plays’ many settings (Denmark, Italy, England, France – to name a few) as well as their many allusions will help you realize the strength of the underlying education of the author. And what about the possibility that “Shakespeare” was just an alias (as some believe) and the actual author was someone else entirely?

Lastly, PERFORM Shakespeare. Take to the stage yourselves. Classic Worktexts are easily adapted for group performances and the Playing with Plays Presents series does all the work for you by providing short skits of differing lengths and with various numbers of actors. Our co-op did several of these types of productions over the years. My daughter’s senior project was writing a screen play for Much Ado About Nothing, casting and directing it as a co-op play. I was a pretty proud mama – the baton had been passed. Another generation will continue to love the Bawdy Bard.

[i] Mabillard, Amanda. Why Study Shakespeare? Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug 2000

[ii] ibid

[iii] Ibid