Shakespeare

Shakespeare for Children
Introducing the Bard to Young Learners
When should students first be exposed to the world famous works of William Shakespeare? Should it be during high school or college years? Isn't it true that Shakespeare is inaccessible for most modern readers and certainly for all children? No, not at all. The nuances of language may be out of the reach of elementary students, but the stories of Shakespeare's plays are well within their grasp. Although your ultimate goal is for your children to read and enjoy Shakespeare's original works, d...

Shakespeare's Oxymorons
Oxymora in Shakespeare Works
Shakespeare used the oxymoron quite often to express mixed emotions both in his plays and his sonnets. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair", "Parting is such sweet sorrow", "O brawling love! O loving hate!" - these are a few of his famous oxymora. Let's take a look at his use of the oxymoron, and we'll throw in a few paradoxes just for the fun of it. The oxymora are in red text, the paradoxes in green. To view the quote within the context around it, click on the chapter reference. (Technically ...

Shakespearean Insults
PWND By Shakespeare
"It is certain that when he makes water his urine is congealed ice." That was just one of the eloquent ways Shakespeare managed to insult someone. That William sure had a way with words! He could describe something as grand or beautiful, but if he believed otherwise then he would certainly describe how foul it was. "It is certain that when he makes water his urine is congealed ice." --Shakespeare

Hands-on Shakespeare
Learn Shakespeare with Projects and Activities
We know that Shakespeare wrote drama to be performed in a theater not "literature" to be analyzed during language arts lessons. So reading his plays doesn't achieve the same effect as watching a performance. But you can actually bring the theater home by acting out Shakespearean plays in your living room. Dress up and be actors, or use puppets instead. Here are some ideas to add a fun element to your Shakespeare studies.

Shakespeare Animated Tales Video Showcase
Animated Versions of Classic Works of Literature
Shakespeare: The Animated Tales is a BBC television program of 12 episodes, each episode showing an animated half-hour adaptation of one of Shakespeare's plays. These shows are a great way for children to experience Shakespeare's stories and become familiar with the classic plot lines. Then when they are older, they can begin to study the original plays with a foundation of already understanding both the characters and the plot. The animation, done by Christmasfilms Studio in Moscow, offers...

Quotes from Shakespeare - Test Your Memory
Two Quizzes on Shakespeare Quotes
How well do you know your Shakespeare?  The amount of famous quotes from Shakespeare's plays is extraordinary.  How well do you remember who said what and in which play? Take these two quizzes to find out.  The first asks simply in what play did a particular quote appear.  The second asks who spoke the particular quotes. Warning: It's not easy!

Sayings that come from Shakespeare
Popular Sayings and Phrases that come from William Shakespeare
To Be or not to Be and Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him Well* you know come from Shakespeare but what about Sea Change and As dead as a doornail and As pure as the driven snow. After the Bible, William Shakespeare has had the greatest influence on the English language. See below for even more surprising phrases from the Bard of Avon.

Shakespeare!
Shakespeare
I used to think Shakespeare was stupid, but my Grandma had recommended getting "Shakespeare's Bawdy" and other Shakespeare Books to really understand what Shakespeare was saying. I have since become a Shakespeare fan now that I know what is going on in his plays. If you are a teen who doesn't understand Shakespeare, but wants to get into Shakespeare, check out Manga Shakespeare. Shakespeare Photo Source

Quiz: Shakespeare's Women and Their Men
Are you ready for my quiz?
Test your knowledge of the leading women characters in Shakespeare's plays. Can you match them with their corresponding male partners? Take my quiz to see how well you remember them! Good luck, and have fun.

Quiz: Shakespeare's Supporting Characters
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William Shakespeare is known for the main characters he created like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth. In addition to his extensive list of primary characters, he also created many memorable supporting characters. Test your knowledge of supportin...