Articles
"I think good thoughts whilst other write good words..." --Sonnet 85
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It seems as though everyone has something to say about Shakespeare, which is great news when you're trying to do some good research! Articles that are both scholarly and informative can be found using virtually any database. Here are just a few that you may find interesting and helpful, along with the keywords that were used to search for them. Citations for all of these works can be found on the References page.
Shakespeare as a Teenager by Catherine Loomis
Readers might be surprised to find out that the first use of the word "teen" to describe someone's age wasn't until 1664! This article is a fascinating look into what Shakespeare's teenage years were probably like. Due to his status and proximity, Shakespeare was probably introduced to theatre life at an early age. This, of course, would have a profound effect on his years as a playwright and actor. Loomis presents her thesis as this: Shakespeare's early years had a direct impact on the years he spent in London. While many assumptions are made in this article, it is still a fun and interesting read for teens who are just starting to learn about Shakespeare and his works. Note: This article was found by doing an advanced search in Google using Shakespeare AND teenagers OR teens.
Star-Crossed Something-Or-Others by Eric LeMay
LeMay's article breathes new life into the themes readers can find in Romeo and Juliet. As a teacher, LeMay often presented the two main characters as being in love, but he began receiving pushback from his students. While he was heartened to know his students acknowledged the hard work that must go into a loving relationship, he also realized that he and his students might be missing the point a bit. The article also reveals that Shakespeare was not the original author of this doomed love story. LeMay proves that literary works are open to personal interpretation, and as long as we have text-based evidence to prove our theses, our points are valid. Note: This article was found on Gale Literature Resource Center by doing an advanced search for Shakespeare AND "Romeo and Juliet" AND themes.
To Teach or Not To Teach: Is Shakespeare Still Relevant to Today's Students? by Amanda MacGregor
It turns out that students aren't the only ones who are arguing about why they're still reading Shakespeare in school: teachers are having the same argument. Some teachers believe the universal themes found in Shakespeare's works mean that he is timeless and must therefore still be taught. There are other teachers, however, who find that the majority of students today are not able to relate to his works the way other generations of teens could. This debate has sparked some teachers to change what they teach in Shakespeare's plays. This article makes good arguments for both sides, and it would make for an interesting classroom debate for high school students to bring into their English classrooms. Note: This article was found by doing an advanced search in Google using Shakespeare AND teaching.
"Supernatural Soliciting" in Shakespeare by H.M. Doak
This is a particularly helpful article to read when studying Macbeth, Julius Caesar, or Hamlet, where Shakespeare employs the use of ghosts, witches, and the supernatural. H.M. Doak asserts that Shakespeare uses the supernatural in both poetic and dramatic ways. His intention, the researcher says, has more to do with human belief than it does with magic. This would be a great article to reference when discussing whether Shakespeare's ghosts (We're looking at you, Hamlet's dad) are actually real or just in the characters' minds. Note: This article was found using an advanced search in JSTOR using Shakespeare AND supernatural OR ghosts.