An active approach to William Shakespeare is universally believed to be an opportunity to learn beyond the humanities . . .
"What's past is prologue," so said William Shakespeare. He meant the experience of the past is an introduction to that which is to come.
Who was this man, William Shakespeare? The poet Maya Angelo said once, "Shakespeare must have been a young black girl -- because he understands me so well." His characters exist in each of us. His stories speak to us. His language is rich. It is so dense, because it illuminates our human experience. It reveals to us where we have been and where we must go.
Suppose within the girdle of these walls Are now confined two mighty monarchies, Whose high upreared and abutting fronts The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder. Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts. Into a thousand parts divide one man And make imaginary puissance. Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them Printing their proud hoofs i’th’ receiving earth. For ’tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings. -- Chorus, Henry V
"My earliest memory of Shakespeare is of a group of eleven-year-olds, armed with wooden shields and swords and cloaks, shouting Macbeth at each other. . . It never occurred to me not to love Shakespeare. He was thrilling and full of witches." -- Peter Hall, Founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company and former Director of the National Theatre