Shakespeare is not only one of the best playwrights of his time, but of ours too. Site member Scouting for Books argues (on the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s christening) that his works reveal something about ourselves that other writers don’t show – and that’s why teens shouldn’t dismiss him as “old”
“Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, / Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.”
Though The Tempest was written around 1610-11 and the words spoken by a fictional character (Caliban) we can still see the beauty in it, the warmth, and can connect to his plight, his story. I remember first reading this play in school at the age of 12. I was lucky not only to set my eyes upon this odd, unclassifiable play but also then to see it performed at the Globe Theatre in its full greatness, to fully realise that it was a truly great piece of work. If it was not for my school than I probably would have never read it, half of my class would never have had the chance to say “oh, so it’s not that boring” and colonialism, betrayal and the illusion of justice would have never been illuminated for me in the way that they were.
Related: Top 10 Shakespeare books for children
Related: The great Shakespeare conspiracy
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