How NOT to Hate Shakespeare | Rob Crisell | TEDxTemecula

Summary

This talk highlights the enduring relevance of Shakespeare's works, 400 years after his death. The speaker, an actor and educator, emphasizes the importance of experiencing Shakespeare through performance, especially for young students. By acting out Shakespeare's characters, students better understand his complex language and themes, building confidence and learning valuable life lessons. The talk also addresses how Shakespeare's plays should be enjoyed as living performances, rather than as texts to analyze, and suggests practical ways for teachers and parents to make his works accessible and joyful for children.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Shakespeare's influence is still felt globally 400 years after his death, with his plays translated into 118 languages and over 2 billion copies sold.
• 😀 The speaker engages students with Shakespeare by having them experience the plays through performance, making it more accessible and exciting.
• 💡 Shakespeare's works resonate with universal human experiences, which helps students understand deep emotions and life lessons through the characters they portray.
• 😴 Shakespeare often gets a negative reputation in schools due to how it's taught, making students bored or intimidated rather than inspired.
• 🎬 Plays should be watched, acted, and performed, not merely read or analyzed. Shakespeare’s works are meant to be experienced as living art.
• 🌍 Shakespeare invented over 2,000 words and many famous phrases, contributing significantly to the English language.
• 👩‍🎓 Acting out Shakespeare's plays helps students build confidence, improve public speaking, and develop emotional intelligence.
• ❤️ Shakespeare's stories allow students to explore intense emotions, from love to grief, which helps them connect with others and express themselves creatively.
• 🤔 The speaker suggests Shakespeare is often misrepresented in education, and emphasizes the importance of performance in understanding his works.
• 🎉 Shakespeare should be a source of joy and inspiration, providing students with an opportunity for creative expression, confidence building, and emotional exploration.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the speaker's presentation?

The central theme is the importance of experiencing Shakespeare’s plays through performance rather than just reading them, as performance allows for a deeper understanding and appreciation of his work.

How does the speaker initially engage students when teaching Shakespeare?

The speaker has a student spit on him as part of a dramatic re-enactment from 'The Merchant of Venice,' which grabs the students' attention and immerses them in Shakespeare’s world.

Why does the speaker believe Shakespeare should be performed and not just read?

The speaker believes Shakespeare’s plays were written to be acted out and experienced, not just read silently. Performance allows students to connect with the characters, emotions, and language in ways that reading alone cannot achieve.

What are some benefits of teaching Shakespeare through performance according to the speaker?

The speaker lists several benefits: students understand Shakespeare better, it builds confidence, improves public speaking skills, channels passion, and teaches universal life lessons through the exploration of characters.

Why does the speaker reference a poster showing a concentration camp when discussing Shylock's speech from 'The Merchant of Venice'?

The speaker uses the poster to illustrate the real-world impact of prejudice, drawing a parallel between Shylock’s speech about discrimination and the atrocities of the Holocaust, making the play's themes resonate more deeply with the students.

What is the significance of the student named Maria in the presentation?

Maria is highlighted as a student who found joy and confidence in performing Shakespeare, despite personal hardships. Her story exemplifies how Shakespeare’s characters can provide an emotional outlet and help students cope with challenges.

Why does the speaker think many students struggle with Shakespeare in school?

The speaker believes that the struggle stems from how Shakespeare is traditionally taught—by focusing too much on analysis and exams, rather than letting students experience the plays through performance and immersion in the text.

How does the speaker propose teachers make Shakespeare more accessible to students?

The speaker suggests that teachers should have students perform scenes, watch performances on YouTube, and invite actors to the classroom to make Shakespeare more engaging and less intimidating.

What advice does the speaker give to parents who want to introduce Shakespeare to their children?

The speaker advises parents to read a synopsis of the play beforehand, familiarize themselves and their children with key characters and lines, and sit close to the stage to fully experience the energy of the performance.

What message does the speaker hope to convey about Shakespeare's relevance today?

The speaker emphasizes that Shakespeare’s plays are not outdated relics but are full of universal themes and emotions that remain relevant. Through performance, students can learn empathy, creativity, and life lessons, making Shakespeare a source of joy and inspiration.