Teaching Shakespeare: "Macbeth," William Shakespeare

Dear Teacher Colleague:Part of a year-long High school course in British Literature. In the literature “plan” of a suburban college bound sequence, the students had studied, “Romeo and Juliet” during Freshman Year, “Hamlet” during Sophomore year, and “Macbeth” during Junior Year—so they had been immersed in studying Shakespeare as a required part of their English Language Arts study. When the Denver Center for Performing Arts housed a professional touring group, the Center offered a matinee performance for Denver Public Schools. We took most of our Junior and Senior High students downtown, and many described the event as a highlight of their four high school years. The students were enthralled with the play—experiencing a “treat” of Shakespeare, and this play was not of the four-year offered curriculum in this school. So my suspicions were confirmed. I thought it was better to “enjoy,” rather than “study.” I know that was original intention of William Shakespeare, who needed “butts in