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Radio National: What makes Shakespeare so special anyway?

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Actors perform on stage
Radio National: What makes Shakespeare so special anyway?

SUBJECTS:  English

YEARS:  9–10


Few literary figures are as widely revered as William Shakespeare.

But just how did this glove-maker's son grow to become the greatest writer of the English language?

Explore the extraordinary appeal of Shakespeare with John Bell, Australia's pre-eminent Shakespearean actor and director.

If you like this clip, listen to the full ABC RN documentary by clicking 'Download Audio' at this link: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/john-bell-on-shakespeare/3816434


Things to think about

  1. 1.How many Shakespearean plays can you name? Even if you haven't read any, or seen them performed, chances are you know the names of at least some of his 37 or 38 plays. Why do you think a writer from four hundred years ago remains so popular today?
  2. 2.What reasons are given for Shakespeare's enduring popularity amongst actors and directors? The interviewer, Phillip Adams, remarks that Shakespeare has 'a passionate following' in Russia and China. What makes his appeal global? What does John Bell mean when he says Shakespeare is 'a democratic character'? How might Shakespeare's education, particularly in debating, have influenced his skills as a playwright?
  3. 3.Why do you think Shakespeare has such universal appeal? Do you think his reputation is justified? Should students today still be expected to study his writings? Explain your reasoning.
  4. 4.'Life's but a walking shadow.' Phillip Adams asks if more terrible or accurate words have ever been written. This quote comes from which Shakespearean play? Find another Shakespearean quote that you find powerful and that you believe represents the playwright's skill and insight into human nature. Why does it appeal to you? Present your quote artistically in a digital or non-digital form. Keep it somewhere to inspire you.



Date of broadcast: 19 Feb 2014


Copyright

Metadata © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia Ltd 2012 (except where otherwise indicated). Digital content © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). Video © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). All images copyright their respective owners. Text © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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