Shakespeare and the Four Year Old.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/arts/05arts-SHAKESPEAREF_BRF.html?ref=arts

Recently in my college English class, we began reading the classic Shakespearean play “Othello”. As much as I am drawn in by the deceit, betrayal and villainous ways of the characters involved, I have to admit that the language of this, or any of Shakespeare’s writings can be incredibly intimidating and downright confusing.

In a recent article in the New York Times, it has been proposed that young children should be exposed to Shakespeare. Michael Boyd of the Royal Shakespeare Company says, “With primary school kids, there isn’t a fear factor because they’ve never heard of him.”
While the above statement by Mr. Boyd certainly seems to make sense, there are supporting studies that have been conducted that prove that children are more open and able to learn new and unfamiliar languages or concepts than adults. In an article from the website kidsource.com (http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content3/second.language.p.k12.2.html), it is stated that not only would a child have an easier time learning any second language (anyone that has struggled through one of Shakespeare’s plays would agree that it is truly a second language), but they would also be more apt to becoming fluent in the language.

If I were to have any say in the matter, Shakespeare would not only be in the lesson plans of elementary school teachers now, but it would have been long ago. Perhaps if I had been exposed to Shakespeare in Kindergarten I would not only enjoy Othello, but I would be able to understand and follow everything that is going on within the play’s lines.