Student opinion mixed on Shakespeare’s work

SARAH ABBOTT/South Charleston

South Charleston teacher Lynda Biron (at desk) teaches Shakespeare by having her students read the play aloud. Here, freshmen Anthony Schofield, Morgan Perdue and Molly Page read a scene from “Romeo & Juliet.”

By Sarah Abbott
South Charleston High School

“That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” reads A’rielle Barksdale, a freshman at South Charleston High School.

She is, of course, reading from Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet,” which is required reading for Kanawha County high school freshman. At South Charleston High School, students in Mrs. Lynda Biron’s English classes approach the assignment with varying levels of enthusiasm.

“Teaching ‘Romeo and Juliet’ today is much different because a lot of language — the jokes, especially — students don’t get,” Biron said. “But overall, it has a great impact because it goes along with the topics that teens deal with today.”

Several of her students, including Barksdale, feel the same way.

“I think that ‘Romeo and Juliet’ has a lot to do with how people act today. It tells a story, and although it’s old, it still is the same way people are today,” she said.

“Shakespeare seems to be really in touch with humanity’s most inner emotions. They really come out in his plays and his poetry, and that’s why it’s so hard to understand sometimes, I think,” said Ashley Mahood.

Molly Page, however, was less complimentary of Shakespeare’s work.

“‘Romeo and Juliet’ was pretty much disappointing,” she said. “[Their relationship] was lust and not true love, so that made it a lot different.”

That’s true enough. If you know one scene from the play, it’s most likely the famous balcony scene at the beginning of Act II where the two lovers are declaring themselves. But guess what? They met each other a couple of hours ago at most. We’ve all heard of love at first sight, but this seems a little extreme to many teens.

As part of their studies, Biron’s students also watch the film version of “Romeo & Juliet,” which for some students isn’t much better than reading the play.

“[The movie] was bad. It’s X-rated!” exclaimed Alex Kenney. And it’s true; the movie does have some pretty intense scenes, all of which take place after the couple has known each other for maybe three days.

Still, some students can find the silver lining in their Shakespeare studies.

“Shakespeare’s really giving me an insight into fashion. I’ve actually considered wearing tights outside of school,” joked Toren Martin.