A Timeless Shakespeare

Shakespeare, one of the most well-known names to any teenager in any High School English class; however not a name at which the average student will rejoice. Why, some may ask? Given the rate of difficulty of speech, as well as over powering flowery language, most loose interest at a surprisingly increasing rate. However Shakespeare is not a name at which we should run in the opposite direction. Students should instead openly embrace the knowledge and beauty as well as concepts and ideas still pondered and valued today, first brought to light through the plays of the brilliant William Shakespeare.


Racism, envy, prejudice, unfounded hatred, emotional takeover, logic and reason, are only some of the universal issues on which Shakespeare basis his literary works upon. His writing is exquisite in the way of which he has carefully handpicked the wording to express exactly what he is trying to convey ; opposite that he also had a way of carefully handpicking his wording in such a way to keep his meaning open to each readers own opinion. However since most Shakespeare readers are made up of high school students not at all interested in the knowledge, and beauty presented throughout his works, book companies have tried a new approach. Shakespeare the Graphic Novel Collection. This collection presents the reader with a visual, as well a more modern twist on the language; easier to understand language, as well as a play by play visual, presents students with an easier more 'user friendly' way in which to read and understand Shakespeare.


Therefore by making works such as, Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet 'user friendly', we take away the beauty of interpretation, imagination, and the magic of Shakespeare's literature. His works were intended to be read in the original form; if the original version cannot be appreciated for its devices, creation, word usage, imagery, intent, thoughts/ideas, and many other qualities which make Shakespeare a literary genius, than what gives us the right to explore it in any means which he did not intentionally create?

She wants to wear this? (Lady Capulet)

She comes to me, and asks me, no tells me that she wants to wear THIS dress instead of the beautiful gown I have had custom made for her! This dress is widely inappropriate, it has no sleeves, no back, is she trying to ruin my good name? We are a wealthy family, what is she trying to do to us, is this some sort of punishment for making her marry Paris? What is so wrong with Paris, he is of noble family and is extraordinarily wealthy she'll have everything she's ever wanted or needed, so why on earth doesn't she want to marry him? And now because she doesn't want to marry him she's decided to try and ruin me as much as possible, does she really think I'll let her wear this? of course not we are wealthy and she will wear something expensive and gorgeous not something that will make her look like she belongs on the street!
(http://www.poshgirlvintage.com/1950s-cahill-beverly-hills-designer-wedding-gown-p-1317.html?zenId=rhnqqkb0ee0830v8bdgjurb092)

What Can I do?(Juliets Nurse)

(http://www.westonjewelry.com/womens-jewelry?erafilter=51&price_range=99&compositionfilter=)
That girl, that stupid beautiful girl, what is she trying to do? I found this ring on a chain beneath her pillow. No doubt from Romeo, as "did my heart love 'til now?" is engraved on the inside. Foolish children, falling in love in a glance and risking everything for each other. Could she not just love from affair and marry Paris? keep her parents happy, stay alive? Of course not, that girl is doomed in love, always listening to what her heart tells her, instead of what her head is shouting. Now I am torn, for I love her dearly and want her to be happy, for she is like my own daughter. However I am employed by her mother, who would strongly object to this love affair and have my head if she were to learn I disobeyed her and allowed Juliet this marriage. But the girl is happy, its what she wants, and I'd rather her mother have my head than hers, what girl doesn't deserve a little happiness and love in her life time, even if she is cutting it close.

The Dress (juliet)

(http://thefrock.com/bridal_page8_main.html)

Does she really expect me to wear this? I suppose she does, just like she expects me to marry Paris because it will make her and daddy happy. What about my happiness? Do I not get to be happy? They know that i oppose this marriage, but i dont have a choice, im just a girl what can i possibly do about it? While i guess they're about to have a rude awakening, because i will NOT marry Paris, i can't. I am already wedded to Romeo, in a wedding that i couldn't even plan, not unlike this one. However the difference is that i chose Romeo, i LOVE him, and there is nothing that anyone can do to keep us apart!
By the way i plan to burn this dress, its so ugly!

The Invitations.. (Juliet)

(http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/shop-invitations-by-style.htm?gclid=CNKG0o34rqACFQk65QodeC46aw)

Act IV Discussion Director

Being the Discussion Director for this Act, I realized that the example questions for this role are slightly ridiculous.(no offence Mrs.Hayden)
While reading this Act I wasn't thinking into what would happen next, or who it reminded me of, what other people might think happen next, or even what the most important thing is. I was only focusing on what was happening, Juliet and Paris meeting and the Friar Laurence's cell, the Friar and Juliet's conversation, Juliet's desperation not to marry Paris, Capulet's excitement at the expense of Juliet's happiness. It seems as though the entire story is unraveling through out just this one act. However it did make me think of how some parents know so little of their children that they force them into things that make them horribly depressed, or they do not notice important things in their children's lives. Juliet's parents do not notice her displeasure towards marrying Paris so soon, or her despair and longing for Romeo. In modern day I have known many cases where Parents don't notice eating disorders or suicide attempts amongst their children. However other than those small similarities I dontrelate this play to modern day whilst reading it, I simply enjoy the beauty of the language and the story of another time.

What is he thinking? (Benvolio about Romeo)

I found this drawing in Romeo's desk, how can he be so inlove with her after only one day? one moment he is sulking over Rosaline and the next head over heels, drawing pictures of her balcony in love with Juliet the next? Somethings i'll never understand! And now he tells me he wants to marry her, Juliet the CAPULET, he wants to marry her! Is he crazy or just trying to get himself killed? "Benvoli be at my wedding?" he asks...how can i say yes? They are basically signing their own death certificates. I want to support him, i mean once he's decided something in his mind there is no stopping him, but i cant watch him throw his life away for a girl he's just decided he loves. Not just any girl but Juliet the capulet Juliet, he can't really love her can he? not after just two days...but he did make this drawing.
(photo found at : http://www.riverwindgallery.com/HUSTACE/Italy_-_Verona_Juliet%27s_Balcony_(Acrylic_12x16)(2007).jpg)