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For Goodness’ Sake, What’S The Point In Learning Or Watching Shakespeare?

The English language owes a great debt to Shakespeare. Some claim he invented over 1700 of our common words and expressions. Others argue that computers analysing thousands upon thousands of texts have revealed that, not only did Shakespeare not invent all of these words, he might not have been the first to write them down, either. However, whether he invented the words or not, it doesn't really matter.

For goodness sake, what’s the point in learning or watching Shakespeare? He’s hardly the be-all and end-all of life.

I disagree. As good luck would have it, there’s a production of Macbeth on in town. You should come!

Absolutely not. I refuse to budge an inch.

I realise that it’s not for the faint-hearted, but you should give it a go. Come on, break the ice, have a go!

No point at all. It’s a foregone conclusion. It won’t work.

People would be impressed.

Hardly. I’d be the laughing stock of my friends. And the plays are too long. They last forever and a day.

I’ll pay?

You’re killing me with kindness.

You know me, I’m as merry as the day is long!

People do say you have a heart of gold.

Come on. It’s not like you’re too busy. You are fancy free!

Ok then….into my brave new world of being a culture vulture. I guess this is a way of breaking the ice. Just don’t tell anyone.

Mum’s the word!

You got it, all the italicised words above were either invented or first coined or at least popularised by Shakespeare. Without realising it, you give life to his language in your own everyday speech. Somehow he had a way of getting to the nucleus of an emotion with his sharply-selected words.

Haven’t you ever spoken with bated breath, advised neither a borrower nor a lender be, or provided cold comfort? Have you ever worn your heart upon your sleeve, or been on a wild-goose chase? When your children come in are you eaten out of house and home? Have you said good riddance to someone annoying, or at the end of the week felt as dead as a doornail?

Want to take it further?!

When you feel you are surrounded by people you can’t trust? Try: 
Where we are there’s daggers in men’s smiles.

Want to curse someone? Try: 
You bull’s-pizzle, you stock-fish.

Teaching your children about time-keeping? Try: 
Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.

Trying to advise someone to abbreviate a long speech? Try:
Brevity is the soul of wit.

Too much make-up? Try:
God has given you one face, and you paint yourself another.

Feel good about your friends? Try:
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.

Watching the US elections? Try:
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

Shakespeare invented words

His plays and sonnets continue to give life to his language, and today, 400 years after his death, we breathe life into him every day!

Bill Turner
Headteacher, Kings’ School Al Barsha

 

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