Why spend time with Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'?

[Steve Shann]

We're spending most of this term with Romeo and Juliet. Why? What's the point?

We'll all have some first thoughts about these questions, and I want you to put these down here.

But don't stop there.

Take this as an opportunity to think more deeply about these questions. Read what each other writes. Respond to posts that get you thinking more deeply.

(And there are no right answers. Don't think that the only accepted responses will be saying that studying Shakespeare is the most valuable thing since sliced bread.)

[Kurt]

This was one of the first questions i asked myself at the begining of this topic, Why do we study shakespeare, whats the point, is it just anouther brick in the wall, "something" to study and be assest on, or is there a real reason why we all study throughout are schooling. When i read the question my first thoughts were, there must be some reason and a point or we would'nt study it, the only problem is i dont know what that point is yet. Anouther question arises, what is the point of studing a language which is not even used anymore, sometimes when i am reading shakespear it its if i only know a small portion of what he is trying to convey to him, for example in an year 12 HSC for german, and i go in only knowing a tiny bit of german from year 8, it is that diffulcult to understand, ...somtimes. But when we act it out and Dr Shann explains it and then we watch the movie it makes it alot clearer. I believe a main point of studing shakspeare in year 10, is to prepare us for year 11 and 12, i think once we advance to that level this question will become alot clearer.

[James]

This question is obviously one of the biggest questions in this topic. Why read sothing that you can hardly understand? Why read somthing that was written ages ago by somone whos already dead? In my opinion, it is good to look back at some writings of english just to see where our language came from. Even though no one speaks like they do in Shakespears works, he still sets a standered of the for todays English.

[Tahlia]

I totally agree with this, it is a good way of expanding of what English we already know, it is also kind of interesting to read the complexity of the novel. I believe that reading this novel (even though at times it is kind of confusing) is an important part of live, to read about other people and parts of our history. Over-all I found the story interesting, full of awesome Metaphors and a very interesting descriptions!

[James]

The confusing parts are what i find the most enjoyable. It really makes you think about what Shakespear is saying through his words, and decrypting them as we speak modern day English.

[adele]

Hey James, exactly, why read something that we don't understand (although some do but obviously I don't). Sure it’s great to learn another language but I don't think it really matters if the person is dead or not.
it sounds like you guys have to study Romeo and Juliet for years 11 and 12, by what Kurt said. Good luck with that! hahaha
Did you watch the modern movie or the older version? For me, watching the modern movie in class, made me a little confused because the story is a bit different in the book. I didn't really catch onto the whole Shakespeare language, making it all the more to grasp the meaning behind the story. I find the whole thing abstract!

[Sam Raiz]

How can he set a standard when the common words of today are below his

[Max]

i believe the reason we are studying Romeo and Juliet because the English teachers and English HoD decided that wee need to study it. i also believe that their reason were that we need to study it in 11 and 12 so this is a bit of a practice for it later on. also i think that they think it would be good for us to expand our vocab and study texts from different timnes to see thte change of language and the way it's expressed. finally i think that we are studying it is that it fit's in well with the semseter unit page to screen because it a play that is a book and has three movies directly made from it and many other indirectly made from it.

[Nick E]

As i said in class today i am still in the middle of making my points on why i think we are studying R&J or why it is irrelevant.
Shakespeare's R&J is not only one of the most famous plays in the world for it's use of old style language but more for its timeless quality.
No matter long ago it was made it still remains relevant to a vast majority of peoples lives which is why it has remained ever popular in my view. I think this has much to do with why we are studying it because teachers know if students lack a connection to the topic interest is lost. I also agree with my fellow class mates about future preparation as i know there is Shakespeare in the HSC course.
I think the point of studying Shakespeare is to broaden our knowledge of the English language. Teach us of a ancient somewhat forgotten form of the English language and many other things.
Nick

[JOsh R.E]

I think this really encompasses why we are studying Romeo and Juliet this term, I do believe though to further build on this idea that we are studying Romeo and Juliet because it really emphasizes the major themes and ideas that are relevant to anything we study during the English course, it is just such a clear and succinct example of this and therefore I think it is very useful to our further explorations into Shakespeare. This I think build upon the other ideas discussed in this forum so far which are all equally as valid about how we need it for future HSC work and how Shakespeare is a good way to expand our vocab etc...

[Joseph]

I agree with Nick that one of the reasons we study Romeo and Juliet is to keep us moving through the popular and influential world of Shakespeare. Shakespeares plays have survived the age because of their utter brilliance but also because of their sintillating storylines.

Another reason I believe we study Romeo and Juliet is because this play could almost be classed as a complete dramatical work. It harbours all the key elements of drama comedy, tradgedy, action and suspense. So do we study Romeo and Juliet because of its completeness?

[Alex]

well my first thing i thought of when i heared this question was "thats a damn good question....errrrr to make up the semesters work". after talking about it in class we got some responses like "it doesnt make anysense at all" and im thinking that people how said this havent really tryd to work it out first because its not like a completley different language. the way shakespear wrote was at the time proper english so the language hasnt changed that much over the next few hundred years that noone can understand it anymore, u just got to have an open mind when reading it. but back to the question i really have no idea... maybe its to give us a deeper understanding of the English language so we go back to earlier writings of it to get a deeper understanding of the language.

[Elsa]

"well my first thing i thought of when i heared this question was "thats a damn good question....errrrr to make up the semesters work"."
Hehehe...This is exactly what i was thinking! Good to know that i wasn't the only one.
Just a few sentences into Romeo and Juliet i was wondering "Why in the world are we reading such a boring book that makes english sound like dribble???"
But-once you start discussions with people who actually understand the novel, and give you the low down of events. its actually quiet a cunning book. Tho-in my opinion-i don't like the shakespearian language, the twists and turns of events that lead to pure tragedy is great!