The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 15.0074  Monday, 12 January 2004

From:           Sam Small <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Saturday, 10 Jan 2004 16:49:04 -0000
Subject: 15.0060 Shakespeare for Kids
Comment:        Re: SHK 15.0060 Shakespeare for Kids

Terence Hawkes is quite right in his restrained ire.  I have battered on
about this subject before but feel the need to countermand such
injustice to young humanity.   The point about Shakespeare is not plot.
  Only two of his play's plots were written by him - therefore a child's
book relating the bare story of the plays isn't really about Shakespeare
at all.

The essence of Shakespeare is the stunning poetry and his awesome
insight into universal human nature.  With many of his themes rooted in
classical biblical theology it is hardly the natural fare for growing
children whose peer group hero would be more like Justin Timberlake than
John Falstaff.

Give them chance to grow and actually feel the damage of the slings and
arrows - then watch a play about that condition.  I say that most
children are left cold by Shakespeare because their life experience is
inadequate for an understanding of the adult themes of violence, sex,
politics and morality.  As I have said before JRR Tolkien is NOT William
Shakespeare.

SAM SMALL

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