Classic Literature

In Search of Shakespeare

Author(s): 
Michael Wood
This is a fascinating documentary, but not suitable for children. Although it leans secular to a certain extent, it provides a very helpful (and detailed) background of the nature of the political and religious conflicts going on in Shakespeare’s world. It also makes a pretty strong case that Shakespeare grew up in a Catholic household and had some Catholic sympathies throughout his life, that at least seem to reflect the basic morals found in his plays.

Much Ado About Nothing

Author(s): 
William Shakespeare
Much Ado About Nothing is an uproarious comedy (with plenty of dramatic elements) about love and hate. While awaiting the marriage of Hero and Claudio, several plots unfold. One is an incredibly funny conspiracy to set up Beatrice and Benedick, two swift-tongued sworn enemies, to fall in love with each other.

King Lear

Author(s): 
William Shakespeare
King Lear is the heart-wrenching tragedy of a king with three daughters who decides to test their love for him as a condition for inheriting a part of his kingdom. Naturally the two who are most interested in the prize are the most willing to tell him what he wants to hear. The youngest, Cordelia, in her honesty and simplicity, refuses to flatter him and is disinherited. Over time, Lear realizes his mistake, as his two other daughters are only “nice” when they have something to gain from it.

Othello

cover from first quarto, c 1619
Author(s): 
William Shakespeare
Othello, which we studied in tenth grade, is a dark play, a tragedy brought about by Othello's surrender to Iago's campaign of deceit. Although this is the main idea of the play, quite a few characters and twists and turns maintain the suspense. The title character Othello is a general and Iago's commander. Iago is angered at Othello's promotion of a less-experienced soldier (Cassio) over him; moreover he is in the pay of Roderigo, a rich man who wishes to marry the beautiful Desdemona. However, Othello has already won over Desdemona and married her.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Title page of the play, from the first quarto
Author(s): 
William Shakespeare
We studied this Shakespeare comedy in 9th grade using an "interleaved" edition featuring the original text on one side and notes to clarify the meanings of archaic terms on the facing pages. Looking at the text on the pages was a little daunting, but it is amazing what a difference reading it aloud in class made. Suddenly the words were not so strange or difficult to follow any more, and as it is a play -- not a novel -- reading aloud really helped bring it to life.

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