Summer Shakespeare
And Shakespeare? He, indeed, is not to be classed, and timed, and treated as one amongst others,—he, who might well be the daily bread of the intellectual life; Shakespeare is not to be studied in a year; he is to be read continuously throughout life, from ten years old and onwards. But a child of ten cannot understand Shakespeare. No; but can a man of fifty? Is not our great poet rather an ample feast of which every one takes according to his needs, and leaves what he has no stomach for? A little girl of nine said to me the other day that she had only read one play of Shakespeare’s through, and that was A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She did not understand the play, of course, but she must have found enough to amuse and interest her. How would it be to have a monthly reading of Shakespeare—a play, to be read in character, and continued for two or three evenings until it is finished? The Shakespeare evening would come to be looked on as a family festa; and the plays, read again and again, year after year, would yield more at each reading, and would leave behind in the end rich deposits of wisdom. (Charlotte Mason, 1989e, p. 226)
Mason believed that Shakespeare should be enjoyed throughout life beginning at 9 or 10 years old. It makes me smile to think that I was 8 when I picked up a children’s edition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the school library. I devoured it. I read the whole set of these children’s plays and begged my mother to get me the real plays. I think she was a bit bemused to see such passion in a third grader, and while I am sure there was so much that went over my head, there was something about the language and the stories that compelled me to keep reading. I’ve delighted in Shakespeare ever since.
As an adult I try to seek out Shakespeare whenever I can. I am not overly fond of reading the plays to myself and really they aren’t meant for this, they are meant to be seen as a play or read with parts. Mason recommends that students read one play each term for a total of three plays a year starting in 4th grade. This isn’t a small ask and in our own homeschool we try to have exposure to three plays a year, but we certainly count watching a play as well as reading one.
Here are some tips for adding Shakespeare to your homeschool. Summer is a great time to do this if you didn’t manage to get to it during the school year.
Read it Together
Choose an appropriate play to read together. This article on Charlotte Mason Poetry shares which plays Mason used and which she didn’t. While all of Shakespeare is worthy to encounter, there are certainly adult themes and violence in some plays that make them a better choice for older ages.
Start by reading a Synopsis. Read a synopsis aloud or have your children read it on their own. Tales from Shakespeare by Mary and Charles Lamb or Leon Garfield’s Shakespeare Stories are excellent choices.
Find copies of the play. It is really important to have multiple copies of the play, ideally one for each person. As always, the library is a great resource. Half-priced Books often has plays at discount prices. I’ve been known to walk out with 4 or 5 copies for under $20. I personally try to find at least one Folger edition as the notes can be very helpful.
Manage the time. The plays we have read have been as a whole family with a few friends joining us. These have been in a single evening, with pauses for different dinner courses. (I wouldn’t recommend this for students younger than 6th grade as it takes around four hours.) Mason’s idea of spreading this over several evenings is a good one if you aren’ t including others outside your family or perhaps consider reading one scene a day with lunch.
If reading a full play feels too daunting the abridged versions in Shakespeare’s First Folio: All the Plays A Children’s Edition might be a good place to start, especially if you have younger children.
Watch a Play
SummerStage at Lapham Peak in Delafield is a good value (check out Wednesday nights!) and you can bring your own picnic. This summer they are performing The Merry Wives of Windsor through the beginning of August.
Shakespeare in the Park by Optimist Theatre is by donation and has shows at various parks in Milwaukee each summer. Often they produce a shortened version of the play and they have afternoon puppet versions. It can be a great way to encounter Shakespeare, especially with younger children if you may need to leave early or want a shorter experience with less financial commitment. (However, do be aware of what play you are watching and the content.) This summer they are presenting a 55 minute puppet show of Richard III and a 45 minute version of The Merry Wives of Windsor. The past two years they have also had Early Music Now provide music from the time period, which is one of my favorite parts.
American Players Theater in Spring Green is a bit further a field and has a heavier price ticket, but it is excellent theater. This summer they are presenting As You Like It and a version of The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Want Shakespeare after Summer? Sign your 4th to 8th grader up for Shakespeare at Hildegard’s Cottage
Studentswillnot only read a full play, but they will rehearse and perform an abridged version. There is no better way to build a relationship with Shakespeare. The goal of this course will not be to put on the most polished play, but to understand and delight in the story and language. I expect a lot of laughter and that students will be stretched to let their inner actor flourish despite reservations they may feel.
Register here for Shakespeare in the Candlemas Term: January 7 - March 4th with a Small Performance on March 5.
*Book links are Amazon affiliate. Proceeds will be used to help Hildegard’s Cottage purchase curriculum and resources. However, we highly recommend borrowing, buying used, or supporting local shops.
