by Patti Mcquillen

Created on: May 22, 2008

Learning to appreciate Shakespeare is more than understanding what takes place in his writing; it is about understanding the impact, message and creativity behind his words. I was under twelve the first time I watched a play based on his writing. I believe it was Hamlet. There was little chance of my comprehending what took place on the stage. My mother took me because she wanted to see it, and she had no babysitter.

She feared she was dragging me to it; yet, I became enthralled with what I watched on the small stage that summer evening in Central Park. I could not get enough of the drama, laughter and costumes. Nor, could I get enough of the man behind the writing.

In high school, I amazed my teachers by sharing deep insight I gained from attending Shakespearean plays. For ten years, we faithfully trudged down to the park and watched one of his plays. During some of those summer nights, we even watched three plays in one night.

Yet, I do not believe I ever appreciated his work until I became a writer. One of my first moments where I felt connected to a play took place while I was a student editor. The drama department members performed Macbeth. I sat in the darkened area for the audience and watched in awe as a connection grew within me. For the first time ever, I felt I really could grasp the full impact and message Shakespeare wanted everyone to know.

It was neither the costumes, nor the acting by itself that caused this change to take place. My mind opened and that allowed the change. I really listened to the tone and voice of the performers. The words flew past me; yet, the emotions on their faces when they recited the lines did not escape my notice.

I began thinking about the greed and violence in the world. I considered times in my life when I may have been greedy. This is the message he wanted us to know. The impact of it came later when I sat through another performance. This time it was The Merchant of Venice.

Again, I detected greed and unjust racial views. I cannot tell you any of the words from the play. I can, however tell you about the look on the man's face that played the Jewish business owner. It was pure torture when his character learned greed would not get him what he felt he deserved. The woman playing his daughter looked like she was in real pain when she learned of his resulting "death."

No, I do not believe she was in true pain; yet, the impact of Shakespeare's message was real. I began looking for ways to balance my views with people of other races. I stopped presuming a person would commit an act of wrongdoing because of their race. It was wrong of me to do this and I looked for ways of creating peaceful gratitude.

Now, I look forward to taking my own children to see the plays. I know they will not appreciate his work until they age some more. That is fine; appreciation is easier when you are older. For, as we age, we experience life and its lessons. That is what Shakespeare wanted.

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