Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

            First of all, Romeo and Juliet is an important play to have read multiple times and understand very well because it is required reading in many school systems. Shakespeare is taught, in Washington, usually once a year from middle school on, so knowing his plays is one of the most important things any English teachers should know about.

            Furthermore being able to read dated English will help us as teachers as we prepare to look at old English works such as “Beowulf” or Canterbury Tales. These works are very tricky for students to read and equally difficult for teachers. The best way to combat this difficulty is through as much practice as possible. Only through rereading difficult texts, taking great notes, and truly putting in the time to understand them can a teacher hope to pass on that knowledge to students. Simply put, unlike some other works that might be taught in the schools, Romeo and Juliet will probably need to be reread every year to stay fresh and useful as a guide to the students. But if you are opposed to reading books multiple times, being an English teacher might not be for you.

            The other reason that Shakespeare’s works, and Romeo and Juliet in particular, are so important is because of the plots. The plots have been adapted and readapted many times throughout history and are actually very prevalent in many modern texts, films, TV shows, plays, and stories. Being familiar with these plots can help you to incorporate popular culture into the classroom, which will engage and ultimately benefit students. Incorporating popular culture into the classroom is very important because it provides students with a sense of relevance that is too often lacking in the modern secondary setting.