With long debate, is Shakespeare still relevant in the 21st century? William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ should be included in the ninth-grade curriculum because it offers an understanding of modern English and wrote various plays or poems that readers can create a connection towards. However, several opposers believe that Shakespeare’s material can be difficult to understand in today’s modern language.
To begin with, William Shakespeare's plays and poems create a significant understanding of the idea of modern English. The article ‘Why Do We Force Students to Read Shakespeare?’ states: “Shakespeare is essential to understanding the literary influences of modern English, or that reading ‘Hamlet’ helps students appreciate literary devices” (‘Why Do We Force Students to Read Shakespeare?’, Rajat Bhageria). This explains that his writings, including the tragedy ‘Romeo and Juliet’, not only create an understanding of how to use literary devices but have been the main influence on how modern English is known today.
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Furthermore, Shakespeare’s writings contain meanings that have allowed readers to feel or connect to the pieces of writing. In the article ‘In Their Own Words: Why Is Shakespeare Relevant Today?’, the author claims: “His plays and poems teach society how to not only love, dream and hate all at the same time, but they’re also used as a message” (Linfield Magazine). In the case of the tragedy ‘Romeo and Juliet’, this explains that the text expresses general emotions commonly felt by modern society and creates a detailed message that the reader can easily understand.
However, even though his material may be used to this day, several naysayers believe that due to the brilliant writer existing in a different time period, his material can be difficult to understand when teaching his work to a younger audience. An article titled ‘Why It’s Time to Give the Bard the Heave-ho!’ says: “The trouble is that most school children today don’t like him and don’t get it. And this isn’t their fault. Shakespeare wrote over 400 years ago. Few people realize how much English has changed in just the last generation” (Robshaw, 433). William Shakespeare's writings may be difficult at a glance, but it isn’t impossible to understand.
To conclude, William Shakespeare is a useful poet who creates great meanings as well as gives examples of literary devices, and is a key contributor to today’s writings. Instead of washing it away due to being difficult to understand, when understanding his work can lead to another side of poetry. Therefore, his works, especially ‘Romeo and Juliet’, should be included in the curriculum of the ninth grade.
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