If they grow up thinking that Shakespeare is fun and normal, they will be ready to dive deep when maturity comes because there will be no fear or intimidation that comes with the assumption that Shakespeare is hard and enigmatic. Remember that the point in the pre-high-school years is just to introduce the stories and get Shakespeare into their affections. Everyone can “Alas, poor Yorick” with gusto. If you can find a skull to toss around, even a Lego one, all the better. They each picked a scene to read while using the puppets to act it out.Īfter all, playing someone who is playing a madman is always fun. Just wait and watch and see what connections they draw themselves and I bet you’ll be surprised.Īnother way the kids enjoyed acting out Hamlet was with the Masterpuppet Theatre set. No lectures or charts or Socratic discussions necessary – not for elementary students. Harrison, but the Arkangel editions are also recommended. A Shakespearean actor reading the text simply makes it more understandable, and a British accent makes it more enjoyable, too. How a text is read greatly influences comprehension and appreciation, so I like to stick with well-done audio versions of the play along with either coloring or reading along. Branaugh hits you over the head with what some lines allude to by interposing bedroom scenes. Kenneth Branaugh’s version is remarkable for being uncut and unabridged, but it is entirely inappropriate. If you have older children, are willing to skip a scene, or have different opinions on the matter, I highly recommend previewing the Hamlet with David Tennant. It’s still a good introduction and the set is dark but sumptuous. We chose the Mel Gibson version, although it very abridged and rather Freudian in its interpretation. Unfortunately, most producers seem to think Ophelia needs to undress during her insanity scene, so finding a movie the whole family can watch is difficult. Usually we’ve tried to fit a movie in after reading the picture book summary and introducing the play and before we start the real text. I am a firm believer that Shakespeare is meant to be seen, so I think watching a production – live or movie – is an important part of learning and loving Shakespeare. Sign up and get instant access to all the Shakespeare memory sheets and lesson plans I’ve created to date. A ghost scaring us about purgatory, perhaps, but not suicide thoughts with knife in hand. Yes, there is the famous “to be or not to be” monologue in Hamlet, but it didn’t seem right to have 8-year-olds memorizing a contemplation of suicide. This above all: to thine ownself be true,Īnd it must follow, as the night the day,įarewell: my blessing season this in thee! Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgment.īut not express’d in fancy rich, not gaudy įor loan oft loses both itself and friend,Īnd borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice Bewareīear’t that the opposed may beware of thee. Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel īut do not dull thy palm with entertainment Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, List, list, O, list!īe thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. Make thy two eyes like stars start from their spheres, Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood, I could a tale unfold whose lightest word Till the foul crimes done in my days of natureĪre burnt and purged away. Hamlet reads nearly like a play of cliches, so many of the lines are famous.ĭoomed for a certain term to walk the night,Īnd for the day confined to fast in fires, It captures the essence of Hamlet, weaves in direct quotes, and is beautifully illustrated. If you want to begin first by introducing Shakespeare and his time and his theatre, William Shakespeare and the Globe by Aliki is a beautiful narrative book that makes a great read aloud in its own right.įor the “picture book” introduction, my absolute favorite is the version by Bruce Coville. If you do any reading aloud or movie watching together, you can do Shakespeare together.Īnd even if all you want to do is read a picture book version and learn a line or two – that counts as introducing Shakespeare! Step 1: Introduce Hamlet You don’t have to wait for high school to do Shakespeare with your kids, and you don’t need to be homeschooling to study Shakespeare together. In my original Shakespeare for Kids post, I wrote: It is full of pithy one-liners and common phrases that have entered English parlance. If you want quotable Shakespeare, Hamlet is your best bet.
Their new favorite answer to the question, “What are you reading?” is now, “Words, words, words, words.” Last month I was headed out the door with friends to spend a weekend away (hooray!) and the kids all started waving limply and wailing, “Adieu! Adieu! Remember me!” We studied Hamlet in our homeschool last year – over 6 months ago – and the quotes still linger as part of our family culture.
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