But Shakespeare can be a little like Marmite for many people – they either love it or hate it. Much of our individual feelings towards Shakespeare, for many of us, stem back to how it was taught to us at school and whether we ever really found a connection to it.
Whether you are a lover or a loather, you may still want to encourage your child to explore Shakespeare. After all, all children sitting GCSE English Literature in the UK will need to study it, so why not get ahead of the game and introduce it as the exciting topic it is and inspire a lifelong interest in writers, poets and playwrights.
Here are my top tips for engaging children with Shakespeare for the first time.
Stories First
There are countless story books which tell the entertaining, complex, amusing, and tragic tales that Shakespeare penned. This can be an accessible way to introduce the characters and stories that Shakespeare is most well known for.
The original language is so beloved but can scare off some children before they get started. Most of Shakespeare’s plays are also available in Anime and Manga versions which is particularly popular with younger teens.
The Stage
Shakespeare’s work was designed to be performed, and that really is the best way to enjoy it. Yard tickets, which is the area directly around the stage (standing!) at London’s Globe theatre are usually only £5: a bargain afternoon or evening out.
The Globe theatre also hosts CBeebies performances of Shakespearean plays, and they are a fun and engaging way of showing children what Shakespeare was all about: performing on the stage!
History
Even if you’re not ready for a three-hour performance at the Globe, their tours are fascinating, and you can find out all about the history of Shakespeare’s time. If you’ve got a child that loves history, but maybe not so much the complicated language or concepts of Shakespeare then this can be a good place to start.
There’s lots of fascinating history to explore from the Shakespearean period including life in Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare’s birthplace – also a great day out!) and Elizabethan society, culture, crimes, and royalty. There’s so much to hook children and for them to get their teeth into before they tackle the original texts.
Vocabulary
Many children, and some adults too, are not entirely aware of the influence Shakespeare has had over modern English language. Shakespeare is credited with having created over 1700 words and phrases that are still used today.
Have a look at a list of these and each time your child uses one, remind them of its origin. This can spark fun debate and really drives home the importance of Shakespeare’s contribution to English.
Insulting Fun
One thing that kids absolutely love about Shakespeare are the Shakespearean insults. It’s a great fun and good-humoured way to get children involved in the world of Shakespeare.
My favourite examples are nobbling wincher, elbow snatcher and wibbling rusty bum. Great, right? Shakespearean insult generators are widely available online and can provide excellent family fun over breakfast or on long car journeys.
First steps with the texts
When you are ready to dive into the language, try to break it down into smaller sections and focus on these bit by bit. Discuss what the metaphors mean and where the word play and the jokes are and keep the discussions positive and curious. There’s no one right way to interpret Shakespeare and all ideas are valid.
And most of all… have fun with Shakespeare!
Holly King-Mand has four children and is widely known as ‘The Nation’s Favourite English Teacher’ following her 2020 viral success and subsequently her charity, writing, presenting and radio work.