The Revival of Shakespeare at Medfield High School

Who is William Shakespeare? Or we should really ask, who was William Shakespeare? He did die 400 years ago. Yet, when we refer to William Shakespeare, we discuss him as if he is currently present in our world. So the question of the century is, why does he remain significant in the world of literature today?

For it is true that many, and I mean many, people not only forget who Shakespeare was, but his impact on our everyday lives. Again, many believe he was simply a man with a great mind who passed on ages ago. Yet, as far as the Medfield High School is concerned, Shakespeare was not only a man with a great mind, but a legendary figure of universal ideas that have influenced many, many students.

 No one at Medfield High knows more about Shakespeare than English teacher, Mrs. Garcia-Rangel, who I was given the great opportunity to interview. After I asked her the ultimate question of why Shakespeare has such a strong influence on students, she says that Shakespeare has retained his influence on students because “he’s writing about things that they can understand.”

 Furthermore, she says, “He’s writing in a language that maybe is a little hard for them to understand at first, but all of the emotions that his characters go through, the good things that his characters do, the terrible things his characters do, the feelings his characters have, they’re all things students can relate to, and it’s just a matter of getting past that language. Then they realize that he’s writing about them.”

 Indeed. Shakespeare’s inspiring themes and relatable characters have a powerful impact on our society today. However, what makes Shakespeare so great where we continue to celebrate his work in the 21st century?

 Mrs. Garcia-Rangel answers, “I think we see ourselves in Shakespeare. I think when we read him or we see a play, we see ourselves. And I think the way he manipulates language and has helped to create language is something everyone can appreciate. I think it is the power of the language and the power of the characters and ideas that reach people.”

 Shakespeare’s language is like a brook flowing peacefully once understood, but with all the extra elaborating that is needed in Shakespeare, what exactly makes teaching Shakespeare so much fun?

 “It doesn’t feel like work when I teach the Shakespeare class. It feels like I’m just having fun. I love introducing students to new plays. I love watching them get it. I love watching them have that moment where all of a sudden the language clicks and they’re just reading. I love seeing them have fun acting out the fun scenes, and get intense acting out the intense scenes. It’s just the best.”

 I then decided to ask Mrs. Garcia-Rangel one of the hardest questions she will ever have to answer. What is your favorite play and why?

 “I think my favorite play is The Tempest because everything in that play is everything in what it means to be human. There’s anger and there’s love and, most of all, there’s forgiveness. And it’s forgiveness that is difficult for the character to give, but he manages to do it. And I think we’ve all been in situations where we felt betrayed and we felt angry, and when we’ve realized that through whatever means, the best thing to do is to forgive, it’s very freeing. And I find that play to be the most enjoyable to read and to see.”

 So there you have it, folks. That is why the Medfield High School continues to celebrate Shakespeare Week, like we did this past week: reading excerpts from plays on the announcements, hanging his famous quotations in the hallway, and last but certainly not least, having free cake celebrating his birthday. Shakespeare Week brings a jovial atmosphere to the school, for it is not the cake that makes us satisfied on the special occasion, but it is remembering his legacy and how he continues to influence us today.

 This article was written by Paul Cunningham, a Medfield High School student and member of the student newspaper, The Kingsbury Chronicle. The piece is part of Medfield Patch's weekly series, "Warrior Weekly," helping provide information about MHS to the local community.