How to Teach Shakespeare's Insults

Teaching Shakespeare is quite challenging even for the most gifted teacher and the highest ability students. the mere mention of his name strikes anything from fear to intense boredom into the hearts of young people. A great introductory lesson into Shakespeare is to teach his insults. This is a fun way to help the students become more acquainted with his language while creating a vibrant atmosphere in your class.

Things You'll Need

• Copy of Shakespeare's insults by W.F Hill and C.J. Ottchen

Instructions

1. Provide your students with a three-columned list. This list will be divided into three categories: general abuse, knavery and villainy and finally expletives.

2. Allow your students at least 10 to 15 minutes to look over the list. Next, tell them to pick one word or phrase from each category to create their insult.

3. Give a few of your more capable students the chance to say theirs out loud to the rest of the class. This will help some of those that may be struggling with the lesson objective.

4. Let the class engage in an insult war with each other. Once they have used their first one they quite often go back and create more. Students tend to enjoy this lesson highly because it allows the students to be expressive and learn while insulting others using the language of William Shakespeare.

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