Hello
I am Barnaby Walter, a former student of The Billericay School, and now honorary Film Critic and arts contributor to the Speak Up website. As of October, I will be doing a degree in English Literature & Film Studies at The University of Southampton, whilst Charlotte Ward, my fellow honorary contributor, will be starting her History degree at The University of Leicester. Although I’m sure we will be very busy with University life, every week we plan to select a book we believe will be great for discussion, a piece of escapism or a masterpiece that everyone should read. Either one of us (or sometimes both) will highlight why the book’s been selected and we welcome any comments on the week’s choice. We promise to choose a wide range of books. From literary masterworks, to Military adventures, from popular vampire fiction to juicy whodunits, we delight in the breadth and scope of the literary world. We also plan to unearth some hidden gems that many will never have heard of! Remember to ask your English teachers about the book – see if they’ve read it and have an opinion on it!
THIS WEEK’S BOOK by Charlotte Ward:
“Right ok today students we’re going to be studying Shakespeare’s Macbeth” the teacher announces. This simple statement is usually universally met with familiar groans, a chorus of “I hate Shakespeare” and frequent “Miss, I don’t get it!” and the odd “OH YES I LOVE SHAKESPEARE!” (that was always me. I’ve always loved and admired his brilliant use of language, his wonderful stories and his superb command of the English language). The teacher will the proceed to hit you with Shakespeare’s use of blank verse, iambic pentameter, dramatic irony, couplets, foot and metre which can apparently highlight Shakespeare’s views as clearly as the light of day on religion, sex, gender, politics and well the list is endless. However studying Shakespeare doesn’t have to be a horrible or arduous task it can in fact be fun and easy (once you know how) as proved by the brilliant book “Shakespeare On Toast” by Ben Crystal.
Crystal through his book proves how simple and fun Shakespeare can be. He takes you through the different aspects of Shakespeare’s writing style, why he used them and what they mean. Crystal uses examples from Shakespeare’s plays to make it easier to understand. Not only that, Crystal covers the historical and social context of the time (yes, that stuff your teacher keeps telling you you need to know in order to understand Shakespeare. As if reading it wasn’t enough?!) The book makes links between the context and Shakespeare’s written word.
For those who groan at the mention of Shakespeare, who keel over at the thought of iambic pentameter, who always have their hand in the air shouting “MISS I STILL DON’T GET IT!” and for those who want an easy way to study Shakespeare without having to do much work then this book is for you. It’s fun, funny and makes Shakespeare simple. So the next time your teacher says “today we’re going to be studying Shakespeare’s…….” instead of groaning, smile and say “it’s ok miss, I had him on toast this morning!”
Text © 2010 Charlotte Rose Ward.
This is Book of the Week: Week 2 (30 August – 5 September 2010 )
The Ward & Walter Book of the Day is run in conjunction with The Ward & Walter Bookclub and is supported by The Billericay School English Department. Ward&Walter is a non-profit collaboration between WALTERMEDIA.CO.UK and Charlotte Rose Ward. This page is a Ward&Walter publication in association with WALTERMEDIA.CO.UK
