Is Shakespeare Still Relevant?

  Upon reading this piece, I began thinking why in English classes all over the country are still reading Shakespeare if it is not easily comprehensible. Petri makes a good point that the modern technology makes it hard for the stories to be easily understandable and translated into modern times. If Romeo and Juliet were to have occurred in modern times, then Romeo and Juliet would have texted secretly about the fake death of Julie. Romeo and Juliet would have escaped the death that they were destined for in Verona. So, this piece of writing makes me wonder "is Shakespeare still relevant?"

  My initial thought is yes. I believe that reading these plays, though they are not easily comprehensible, enriches ones reading comprehension. It allows the me to understand the language and broaden my palette of literacy. It also gives a glimpse into the Elizabethan English that was common speech during that time, thus is a part of our history. Reading Shakespeare is important and relevant today because they are timeless tragedies, romantics and histories that will go down in history. I believe that the tales of Shakespeare still have lessons that still are applicable to today's times; Romeo and Juliet carries the message that love is powerful, which is demonstrated by both Romeo and Juliet taking their lives to be with each other. Shakespeare, however, is very hard to comprehend, especially if the reader has not been exposed to this form of speech before. Thus, forcing students to turn to help books, which in the end completely take out the poetry and beauty of Shakespeare's works. 

  I firmly believe that,Shakespeare is  still relevant, despite how outdated it may seem to students.