Hamlet: a timeless play that needs to be represented

One of the main problems that literature teachers have to face is how to make Shakespeare plays relevant for students' lives .If we think of Hamlet, it is important to have in mind that representation of plays can serve as a great tool for students to understand  the importance of tackling life struggles and reflect on them, especially in an era when we know so much about everything that it gets really hard to be aware that there is truth in many positions, and that this path towards the truth, with intended and not intended consequences can make people find themselves in the same situations as Hamlet.

Hamlet's soliloquies  are a clear example of a man trying to determine what his place in the world is. He, at the same time, goes through a process of modernization to a perpetual renewal: by uncovering the truth he became someone unfamiliar to everybody. This helps to see how children who are part of a family with a step father might feel, because they can experience great sense of resentment and unless this topics are addressed in school life perhaps they will not  be able to handle these situations.

Not only Hamlet's desperate reactions are useful to help children overcome life struggles. For instance, Laertes, who take actions based on biased information, help students not to rush on making decision but to get to the roots of a problem.

This implies two things: as long as human nature doesn't change Hamlet will be useful for students, and that teachers should cope with the design of different classroom activities to encourage kids to see or read Shakespeare plays.

For more information, guidelines and classroom activities ideas, have a look at:

http://courses.u3anet.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Language%20and%20Literature/Shakespeare%20and%20the%20Modern%20World.pdf

References:

De Gracia, Margaretta. «When did Hamlet become modern?» Textual Practice (2010): 485-503.